A Poison Tree deals with a key human emotion - anger. The poem鈥檚 content, ideas, language and structure are explored. Comparisons and alternative interpretations are also considered.
You can discover a lot about a poem by comparing it to one by another author that deals with a similar subject. You could compare features such as theme, form, structure, rhythm, language and figures of speech.
The key thing to do when comparing poems is to note the points where they are similar and the points where they differ. You could make a list noting similarities and differences between the two poems.
Comparison of 'A Poison Tree' by William Blake with 'Envy' by Mary Lamb
Similarities
Both poems appear to be autobiographical.
Sentence breaks occur within lines and the sense carries over into the next line.
They set out to make a moral point to the reader.
Both are about core human failings 鈥 in religious terms Wrath and Envy are two of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Both poets use an extended metaphorA metaphor (where one thing is represented by another - eg hope as a seed) that is developed or recurs throughout a text. about plant life to get their points across.
Differences
William Blake makes use of simple vocabulary while Mary Lamb鈥檚 language is a little more complex.
Blake uses four line stanzas quatrainA stanza in poetry consisting of a group of four lines.. Lamb uses six line stanzas with a more complex rhyme scheme.
Blake uses a clear first-person perspective and involves himself in the action of the poem. Lamb observes other people鈥檚 behaviour and comments upon it.
Try comparing A Poison Tree to these other poems:
The Man He Killed by Thomas Hardy.
There's A Certain Slant of Light by Emily Dickinson.