Literary Devices in ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake

Treasure Chest-A Poison Tree by William Blake

Given below are the several literary devices used by William Blake in ‘A Poison Tree’ to enhance the poem’s meaning.

1. Metaphor

• The central metaphor of the poem is the comparison of anger to a growing tree. The speaker’s suppressed anger is nurtured like a plant, “watered” with fears and tears, and it grows into a poisonous apple. The tree symbolizes how emotions can grow and become dangerous when not expressed.

2. Symbolism

• The apple represents the speaker’s built-up anger and resentment. It symbolizes something tempting but deadly, much like in the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where the apple led to their downfall.
• The garden symbolizes the speaker’s mind or inner world, where emotions grow.

3. Juxtaposition

• The poem contrasts two situations: anger with a friend, which is expressed and resolved, and anger with a foe, which is hidden and grows. This juxtaposition highlights the different outcomes of handling emotions openly versus suppressing them.

4. Imagery

• Blake uses vivid imagery, such as “water’d it in fears” and “bore an apple bright,” to help readers visualize the anger growing into a tree. The description of the apple shining and the foe lying beneath the tree also creates a clear, dramatic mental picture.