Question

"The Poison Tree": Do you agree with the poet's implication in l.4 about the danger of repressed anger? Why or why not?

a) Yes, repressed anger can lead to greater harm
b) No, repressed anger is a sign of self-control
c) Yes, repressed anger is always destructive
d) No, repressed anger is harmless

Answer 1

Repressed anger can lead to greater harm, as depicted in the poem 'The Poison Tree.'

Step-by-step explanation:

The poet's implication in line 4 about the danger of repressed anger is that repressed anger can lead to greater harm. This can be seen in the poem's depiction of the poison tree, which represents the speaker's anger that is hidden and repressed. As the tree grows and bears fruit, the anger intensifies and ultimately destroys the speaker's relationship with the person they are angry at.

For example, in the poem, the speaker says, 'And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright.' The apple symbolizes the speaker's anger becoming more tangible and visible. In this way, the poet suggests that repressed anger can build up over time and have serious consequences.

Therefore, I agree with the poet's implication about the danger of repressed anger.