In Williams Blake's “A Poison Tree” from his very popular work Songs of Innocence and Experience: Showing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul (1794), Blake addresses the “toxic” results of unresolved problems. The title of the poem is very appropriate in that it provides a metaphor for the results of anger. In this work, the narrator first explains that after revealing his dissatisfaction with his friend, "[his] anger ended." But when he restrained his anger, it grew like a tree, watered with “fears” and “tears” and sunny with “smiles” and “tricks”. This anger led to the creation of a tree, a tree with a glowing, poisonous apple. When the narrator's enemy desired the fruit of the tree, he slipped under the cover of night to steal it. The man awoke to find his enemy lying “lying under the tree,” killed by the poisoned apple. This apple, sprouted by the man's suppressed anger, ultimately led to the demise of his enemy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay I believe Blake created this work to shed light on the results of restrained anger. Holding a grudge will cause it to grow bigger and eventually have a bitter ending. By tackling a problem quickly, we diminish its magnanimity; on the other hand, if left alone, it will grow a “poison apple”. This poem seems to serve as a simplified example of the problems associated with anger. It teaches that frustration must be dealt with immediately, otherwise the results will be incredibly harsh. Although the poem was written in the late 18th century, the central idea of ​​the work is applicable to any period. History shows that humanity has always struggled with unresolved problems; many of our wars have been the result of an escalation of originally insignificant problems. The attitude of the narrator in this work is one of judgment and revenge. He ultimately seems happy to have caused the death of his enemy. Blake, however, actually uses the man to shed light on the negative aspects of restraining anger, and he adapts a vaguely didactic tone himself. Blake successfully teaches this lesson through the use of a metaphor: a tree and its fruit. In doing so, he is able to exaggerate the effects of emotions. The personification he uses goes hand in hand with the metaphor; the narrator waters and brightens the poison tree with his emotions, and his anger grows physically. The imagery created with these poetic devices is vibrant. The reader can imagine the actual growth of the tree and its fruit, as well as the man who eats it. The metaphor makes it much easier to understand the effects of repressed emotion. William Blake's A Poison Tree is held in high esteem by much of the literary world due to its skillful conception and philosophical content. By never directly giving a moral, the work is able to evoke open thoughts in the reader. If he had done so, it would have lost much of its effect. However, in doing so, Blake hopes to lead his readers to see the flaws in withholding emotions, as the effects can literally be fatal. His work applies to people of all eras, which also adds to his popularity and influence..