Question

What might have caused the conflict which led to the poet becoming angry with his enemy? Think of one such situation that you have experienced. Describe how you felt and how the enmity grew and things became worse.

Answer 1

In the poem ‘A poison tree’ the poet is not satisfied to wait for his enemy to die But he wants to kill him using deceit. Everyone knew a bully or had an enemy when they were growing up. There is enmity between individuals, groups, countries, etc. The love of hating paves the way to enmity. Enmity grows because of jealousy, greed, pride and arrogance, disloyalty, and intolerance.

Things become worse when enmity grows. Enmity is a result of all evils. It leads to hatred and aversion. Enmity destroys the virtues of man. It affects the good character of oneself. It makes anyone very selfish. It cheers up at the defeat and death of the enemy. Thus the things become worse when the enmity grows.