Question

Read “The Poison Tree” by William Blake.

A Poison Tree

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered 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.

Which of the following themes is suggested by the poem?

A.
Anger cools down over time.

B.
Anger can grow like a tree if you feed it.

C.
Do not tell your friend if you are upset.

D.
Do not stir up anger by discussing a problem.

Answer 1

The following theme that the poem suggests that anger will grow like a tree if you feed it

Answer 2

The right answer is "B. Anger can grow like a tree if you feed it."

The poem relates anger to a poisonous tree that grew because that anger was not discussed and resolved and this poisonous tree developed because it was watered with bad feelings.