1. Level 4 Unit 2
Defining Style

2. Activity 2.10 – “A Poison Tree”
Entry Task: Before Reading (pg 124) 1. Think about the title “The Poison Tree.” What image comes to mind? Predict what this poem will be about.

3. Activity 2.10 – “A Poison Tree”
Learning Targets:
Analyze how a poet explores the idea of revenge.
Compare thematic elements and ideas across different texts and genres.

4. “A poison Tree” – 124 Read “A Poison Tree” silently to yourself.
We will have a volunteer read the poem aloud.
Mark the text:
Choices the speaker makes about revenge
Shift in speaker’s attitude
Tone
Theme

5. “A poison Tree” – 124
You will be assigned a partner. You will be assigned one two-line increment of the poem On a piece of paper you will sketch (visualize) your two-line ‘chunk’ of the poem (bring the action to life!) You will present your visual representation to the class as we go through the poem together.

6. “A poison Tree” – Discussion Questions (Critical Thinking) - Groups
Why do you think Blake chose an apple rather than, say, a pomegranate, or an orange, or a kumquat?
Would you teach Blake's poem to your children in order to teach them about anger? Why or why not?
How does the speaker feel about his anger? Does he regret it in the end? How do you know?
How does the sing-songy rhyme scheme of this poem impact the way you understand the speaker's anger?
Why does the enemy want to eat the speaker's apple? Why is it so attractive?
Who is to blame for the enemy's death (if you agree that he's died in the poem)?

7. “A poison Tree” –
With a partner, write a thematic statement about the poem.

8. “A poison Tree” – 125
Check Your Understanding “The Cask of Amontillado” and “A Poison Tree” feature the topic of revenge. In your discussion groups, compare and contrast how the authors develop this topic. In both the short story and the poem, analyze and identify the following points. Be sure to cite specific textual details and give an explanation of your understanding of these details in your Reader/Writer Notebook. • How does the speaker use point of view? • How does the speaker use imagery? • Does the speaker use irony? • What is the theme of the text? (Share the thematic statement that you wrote earlier.)

9. “A poison Tree” – 125
After you have answered these questions, share your responses to compare the two works. Then, write a thematic statement that unites the two works.