A Poison Tree - Summary Notes

Dangers of Anger

• Poem explores dangers of anger, presenting benefits of expressing it vs. consequences of suppressing it.

Expressing vs. Suppressing Anger

• Expressing anger to a friend leads to its dissipation.
• Honesty and communication are key to resolving anger.
• Suppressing anger towards an enemy causes it to fester and grow.
• Dishonesty and hypocrisy intensify anger.

Extended Metaphor: Anger as a Plant

• Anger is compared to a plant, nurtured by fears and tears.
• Hypocritical smiles and deceitful actions act as sunlight, feeding the anger.
• The speaker cultivates anger like a gardener.
• Negativity is continuously fed with more negativity.

The Poisoned Apple

• The plant grows into a tree bearing a shiny, lethal apple.
• The enemy desires, steals, and consumes the apple, leading to their death.
• The apple is poisoned by the speaker’s anger.

Consequences of Suppression

• Finding the enemy dead brings joy to the speaker, which is disturbing.
• Suppressing anger is dangerous, leading to greater anger and revenge.
• Revenge can escalate into violence and sin.