A Poison Tree also shares an “AABB” rhyme structure. This continued rhyme throughout indicates a melodic rhythm, not dissimilar from the nursery rhymes and poems that were produced to provide as “moral lessons” for children during the eighteenth century. It really emphasises the point of the poem as it is not what is expected of a poem of this sort.
The poem is comprised of four stanzas just like the poem “Out of the dark” by Edward Thomas. They both seem to have taken this point to an advantage, comprising all the stanzas somewhat chronologically. Both are also definitive in there conclusions. A poison tree ending the “foe outstretched” whereas Thomas' poem indicates the weakness of light within the darkness. A Poison Tree is almost definitely referring to the idea that the wrath has somehow ended, possibly by death. However Out of the dark, is somewhat less clear. It may be interpreted by some readers as merely suggesting that there is little light in the dark. However I am inclined to believe that this is suggesting that this is a metaphor to suggest that there is little good, amongst evil. This is due to the period when this was set, the early twentieth century, where the world had been ravaged by war.
Blake's poem “The Chimney Sweeper” written for the songs of Experience may also be treat as a poem designed to teach the reader a moral lesson. This poem relates the primary narrator finding a chimney sweep, who discusses that despite the fact that is “happy and dance and sing” there are those who make “heaven in his misery.” The lesson that may be interpreted here is to not ignore the suffering of others in the world.
Blake is effective in portraying this message. His imagery of the dark, for example “the notes of woe” and “clothes of death” emphasises this child suffering. This is not dissimilar to the constant use of “dark” in Out of the Dark. Both poets I would suggest are trying to suggest the negativity of the dark. He also uses objectification referring to the sweep as a “black thing,” which implies that he isn't even worthy to be human. This makes the reader more likely to sympathise with the child. We are aware furthermore contextually that this suffering was not exaggerated, many children died from various diseases due to the poor conditions they had as sweeps. The public of the eighteenth century would have been aware of this, and this emphasises the point even further. Blake is almost certainly therefore trying to display a feeling of guilt amongst his readers.
Unlike Out of the Dark, where the rhyme remains constant, the Chimney Sweeper changes from the first stanza to the second. Originally the poem keeps an “AABB” format but this changes for the second and third stanzas to “ABAB.” Some critics interpret this as a emphasising a shift in the mood of the poem. This is a valid argument as in the very first stanza, we are not aware of the sweeps feelings towards his life. This would also add to the idea that the poem is a moral message, as Blake is trying to show what I would also suggest that it is to emphasise the difference between characters, as in the first stanza it is the narrator and in the second it is the sweep.
The finality of the last stanza: “make up a heaven of our misery” is not dissimilar to the finality of Out in the Dark: “...if you love it not, of night.” As although they portray different meanings, they both make an impact. The Blake final line is a famous one. Its suggests Blake's hatred for a hierarchical society, which we know he had against the church and the king. However some suggest that it is not merely the hierarchical figures that “make a heaven” of their “misery,” but those who obey them. This has some validity, as it wasn't merely those who were ignorant to their suffering, and they made little to do anything about it also. Furthermore this emphasises the idea that this is a poem designed to teach a moral lesson, as it is centred around everyone and not merely the hierarchical society.
Nonetheless I would argue that not all successful poetry was designed to provide us with a lesson on our morals. Some are merely simplistic in delighting in nature. Such a perfect example in “The Lamb” by William Blake.
In a contrast to the Thomas poem “the lamb” centres of the “bright” and the “delight” rather than the dark. The reason for this emphasises Blake's own delight in this. By sticking to positive references he is emphasising that this is a positive poem.
Repetition occurs often in “The Lamb” such as “Little Lamb who made thee.” This occurs also in the Thomas poem, yet for much differing reasons. Some suggests that this gives the Lamb a childish nature. However some critics argue that this is purposeful, as it suggests that it is an experience rather than a lesson to be taught, unlike poems by Watt's and the like, as we are seeing the world through a child's eyes.
The rhythm of the poem merely clarifies its melodic nature. Like many other Blake poems and even the Thomas poem it follows the “AABBCC etc” rhyme scheme, yet it isn't ironic in this poem. It is meant to seem melodic, as that is what the Lamb it.
It is clear then that many poems do provide us with a moralistic lesson. This would have been quite a normal process during the time of Blake, where poems such as those written by Watts were written in order to educate children. Blake himself, is also very successful in portraying this. Nonetheless I would argue that this doesn't necessarily make a successful poem, as there are many poems that simply delight In the beauty of nature.
