Question Constellation Sign up for free OCR · GCSE · English Literature · Higher
Emotions leading to conflict
Poetry across Time. 2 Conflict. Read the two poems below and then answer both part a) and part b). You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on part a) and 30 minutes on part b). Source poems: "A Poison Tree" by William Blake and "Anger" by Charles and Mary Lamb. Footnote: purlieus of = area near.
Compare how these poems present emotions leading to conflict.
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Marking points
- 1 Compares both poems in response to emotions leading to conflict.
- 2 Analyses language, form and structure, including metaphor/symbolism and poetic techniques.
- 3 Uses textual references to develop an informed personal response.
Full-mark answer
A high-level answer would compare how both poems present anger as natural or understandable at first, but dangerous when cultivated. It would analyse Blake's tree, bright apple, secrecy and sibilance alongside the Lambs' contrast between bee and poison-swelled snake, showing how structure, imagery and tone present anger growing into malice and conflict.
Why this answer loses marks
Blake kills his friend because the tree makes him angry.
This confuses the friend and foe contrast and does not support the comparison with precise evidence from both poems.