Understanding the poem ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Blake presents internal conflict in this poem.
Key learning points
- Taken from Blake's 'Songs of Experience', the poem helps children understand the negative world they live in.
- 'A Poison Tree' explores the internal conflict of the speaker.
- The poem arguably explores the dangers of repressing emotions, such as anger.
- Blake uses natural imagery, a staple of the Romantic Era.
Keywords
Wrath - intense anger or rage directed towards someone or something
Foe - an enemy or opponent; someone or something opposed or hostile to another
Extended metaphor - a comparison between two things emphasising their shared qualities, developed throughout a work
Romantic - linked to a historical cultural movement emphasising emotion, individualism and nature
Critique - detailed analysis or evaluation, often highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and implications
Common misconception
Blake was a Romantic poet and artist and thus was critical of many societal beliefs and attitudes, namely religion which was called into question in the Enlightenment period just prior to this.
The Romantics did acknowledge and agree with many Enlightenment ideas but, by and large, they were religious in their writing. Blake was a deeply religious man and his critique of religion was focused mainly on how it was interpreted by society.
Teacher tip
You may want to display some of Blake's artworks (one is included in this lesson) and explore how he uses Romantic ideas in his paintings.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake. This can be found in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What's the best definition of conflict?
Q2.A direct comparison of two things using the verb 'to be' is known as a .
Q3.Before reading a poem for the first time you can analyse its to help you predict what it's about.
Q4.Identify the sentence which uses the first person pronoun.
Q5.Visually descriptive or figurative language used to create pictures in the mind of the reader is known as ...
Q6.What emotion does wrath describe?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their definitions.
intense anger or rage
an enemy or opponent
a comparison between two things developed throughout a work
detailed analysis or evaluation
Q2.The movement which placed emphasis on emotion, individualism and nature was known as the movement.
Q3.What is Blake's main message in 'A Poison Tree'?
Q4.Starting with the first, put the events described in Blake's 'A Poison Tree' in chronological order.
Q5.A Poison Tree' explores the conflict of the speaker.
Q6.What method does Blake use throughout 'A Poison Tree' which is typical of his Romantic style?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the 'Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.