William Black's poem A Poison tree explores the themes of indignation, revenge, and more generally the fallen state of mankind .discuss

"A Poison Tree" by William Blake is a powerful exploration of the effects of anger, revenge, and the fallen state of mankind. The poem uses a simple yet effective metaphor of a tree to illustrate how unexpressed anger can grow and eventually lead to destructive actions.

1. Indignation: The poem begins with the speaker expressing his anger towards a friend, which he openly communicates and thus, the anger dissipates. However, when he is angry with his enemy, he chooses to suppress his feelings, allowing the anger to grow. This indignation is symbolized by the growing tree, which is watered in "fears" and "tears", and sunned with "deceitful wiles". This shows how indignation, when not properly addressed, can grow and consume a person.

2. Revenge: The speaker nurtures his anger, allowing it to grow into a poisonous tree that bears an "apple bright". His enemy is lured into his garden and deceived into eating the fruit. The enemy's death the next morning signifies the destructive power of revenge. The speaker's satisfaction at this outcome highlights the dark pleasure that can be derived from revenge.

3. Fallen State of Mankind: The poem can be seen as a commentary on the fallen state of mankind, drawing parallels with the biblical story of Adam and Eve. The speaker's garden can be seen as the Garden of Eden, the apple as the forbidden fruit, and the enemy as Eve. The speaker, in his anger and desire for revenge, has fallen from grace and caused the death of another. This illustrates the destructive potential of mankind's fallen nature.

In conclusion, "A Poison Tree" is a stark exploration of indignation, revenge, and the fallen state of mankind. It serves as a warning of the destructive power of these emotions when left unchecked.