Parent Guide > A Poison Tree

This week in class, we’re reading "A Poison Tree" by William Blake.

In "A Poison Tree," a speaker allows their hatred and anger to grow, like a poisonous tree.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Friendship & Family and Revenge & Betrayal as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"Is revenge ever justified?" and "What is a friend?"

Ways to support your child:

• Ask your child about this poem at home:
  • What was "A Poison Tree" about?
  • What did you learn about Friendship & Family?
  • What did you learn about Revenge & Betrayal?
• Watch the following clips with your child at home:
  • 'A Short Lecture on Symbolism in Blake's “A Poison Tree”'
  • 'A Poison Tree by William Blake (animation: Maya T.)'