A poison tree poem audio, explination and lesson plan
I was angry with my friend:
I told my friend, my friend did sternly chide;
I was angry with my love:
I told my love, my love did bleed.
And I water'd it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright;
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see,
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
- William Blake
Theme of the poem
This poem does a great analysis of the destructive tendencies of anger and the importance of communication. The speaker is angry at two personas, a friend and a foe. There are differences in the manner in which the speaker responds to anger in both cases.
When the speaker is mad at his friend, he speaks out openly. He calmed the outbursts; he has solved the situation. But when mad at his foe, the speaker only restrains in relating it; he secretly endures the anger. This stored anger turns vicious and eventually appears as the metaphoric "apple" in which he lets out his vengeful desires.
The poem points to open communication as healing petty quarrels and preventing the worst outbursts of anger. If only the speaker had expressed his feelings to his friend, they might have buried the hatchet. The speaker's silence towards the foe provided enough ground for anger to incubate and culminate in a harmful result.
The final lines underscore the tragic consequences of suppressed anger. The foe is unaware of the speaker's resentment and, therefore, falls a prey to the vengeful act of the speaker, which amply underscores the destructive power of unchecked anger and the need for having fights in an open and honest manner.
The poem is a cautionary tale, reminding us that suppressed anger can sometimes prove disastrous in its consequences. It encourages open communication where resolutions can be found and healthy ways by which emotions can be expressed.
Lesson Plan:
Understanding the Poem "The Poison Tree"
Grade Level: 8-10
Objectives:
Analyzing the poem "The Poison Tree" for symbolic meaning and thematic value.
Exploring the concept of suppressed emotions and their possible consequences.
Develop critical thinking skills through reading of poetic devices and literary elements.
Write reflective essays from personal experiences intertwined with textual analysis.
Materials
Copies of the poem "The Poison Tree"
Whiteboard or projector
Markers or pens
Journal or notebook
Images (optional)
Procedure:
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
Hook: Start out by sharing a personal anecdote about when you managed to keep your lid shut on your anger or resentment. Encourage students to share their own experiences related to this, if they are willing.
Introduce the Poem: Briefly introduce William Blake and his Romantic poetry. Explain that "The Poison Tree" is a symbolic poem that explores the destructive power of suppressed emotions.
Read Aloud: Read the poem aloud, emphasizing the rhythm and imagery.
2. Textual Analysis (20 minutes)
Divide and Conquer: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific stanza or theme to analyze.
Group Discussion: Ask each group to share what they have studied, paying attention to:
Imagery: Highlight the most important imagery and symbols within the poem (such as the apple, the garden, the night).
Poetic Devices: Examine how the poet used figurative language, for example, metaphors or similes.
Theme: Discuss the deep theme of the poem, for example, the dangers of suppressed emotions.
3. Whole-Class Discussion (15 minutes)
Class Discussion: Glean the class together, and ask each group to share their observations.
Guide Discussion: Ask questions such as:
How does the anger of the speaker build and evolve in the poem?
What message does the apple symbol represent?
What happens if one does not let the anger ripen but rather damps it?
How has this experience been similar to yours? 4. Writing Exercise (20)
Prompt: Ask students to write a short reflective essay on the occasion when they would not express their anger or resentment. Discuss what outcome it led to and how things could have been different.
Writing Tips: Recruit students on how to write a powerful introductory paragraph, create easy-to-understand body paragraphs, and conclude with an essay conclusion.
5. Assessment:
Participation: Asses the level of students' participation in class discussions and group work activity.
Written Productivity: Evaluate the depth of their reflective essay, as well as how they can analyze the poem and its application to life.
Extension Projects:
Creative Writing: Have them write their own poem or short story using the concept of pent-up emotions.
Art Project: Visualize the poem through imagery and symbolization.
Research: Look for other poems by William Blake or other poets in the Romantic era relating to this theme.
These activities could engage the learners in realizing the meaning of the poem and its message and work on their critical thinking and writing abilities.
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