A Poison Tree Analysis Essay
Running head: Analysis of William Blake’s A Poison Tree (1794)
Analysis of William Blake’s A Poison Tree (1794)
Jayne Courtney Kendall
Brandman University
Abstract
This analysis is going to explore each segment to better understand the meaning the author was trying to express and the lessons that we in these words that transcends through all ages. The exploration and analysis will look further in to what we can take away from this writing and lesson we can learn in order for our soul’s growth.
Analysis of William Blake’s A Poison Tree (1794)
William Blake’s A Poison Tree (1794) is a story that relates to all eras and addresses the pain that we as humans can impose on one another and the hurt and guilt that hinders our spirit and soul from growth and higher spiritual awareness. In his writing, he compares the impact of lies and deceit on our souls as humans to that of nature and the lack of growth that impacts a tree if it is not provided the essentials. The poison refers to hate deceit and lies and the relationships that leave us vulnerable to this pain. During the time this poem was written Blake had been part of a religious domination called the English Dissenters who had broken ties with the Angelica Church. He had written a collection of poems and called them Songs of Experience. Blake might have felt anger and fear towards the church which would had allowed him to write a dark defensive poem.
In the introduction stanza Blake expresses the contemplation of his thoughts as to handle anger towards another person. Within this first stanza there are two options for consideration; the first is to communicate with the person that has angered him and continue as a friend or not address the issue and see this person as a “foe” (Blake, Line 3). If he chooses to not address this anger then the anger it will grow and he then will lose this person. By expressing the anger and addressing the fight or argument it can be let go. The last line of the
Analysis of William Blake’s A Poison Tree (1794)
Jayne Courtney Kendall
Brandman University
Abstract
This analysis is going to explore each segment to better understand the meaning the author was trying to express and the lessons that we in these words that transcends through all ages. The exploration and analysis will look further in to what we can take away from this writing and lesson we can learn in order for our soul’s growth.
Analysis of William Blake’s A Poison Tree (1794)
William Blake’s A Poison Tree (1794) is a story that relates to all eras and addresses the pain that we as humans can impose on one another and the hurt and guilt that hinders our spirit and soul from growth and higher spiritual awareness. In his writing, he compares the impact of lies and deceit on our souls as humans to that of nature and the lack of growth that impacts a tree if it is not provided the essentials. The poison refers to hate deceit and lies and the relationships that leave us vulnerable to this pain. During the time this poem was written Blake had been part of a religious domination called the English Dissenters who had broken ties with the Angelica Church. He had written a collection of poems and called them Songs of Experience. Blake might have felt anger and fear towards the church which would had allowed him to write a dark defensive poem.
In the introduction stanza Blake expresses the contemplation of his thoughts as to handle anger towards another person. Within this first stanza there are two options for consideration; the first is to communicate with the person that has angered him and continue as a friend or not address the issue and see this person as a “foe” (Blake, Line 3). If he chooses to not address this anger then the anger it will grow and he then will lose this person. By expressing the anger and addressing the fight or argument it can be let go. The last line of the
References: William, B. (1794). A Poison Tree Barker, E. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History Retrieved from: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/blke/hd_blke.htm