Question

and with soft deceitful wiles. and it grew both day and night. till it bore an apple bright. and my foe beheld it shine, and he knew that it was mine. and into my garden stole, when the night had veild the pole; in the morning glad i see; my foe outstretched beneath the tree. in the poem, william blake uses the poison that kills the speakers foe as a metaphor. what is the effect of this metaphor on the meaning of the poem? it emphasizes the uselessness of crying over something. it reflects the consequences of suppressed emotions. it represents the fragility of friendships. it symbolizes happiness.

Explanation:

In the poem, the speaker's anger towards the foe is like a plant that grows (representing suppressed emotions). The "poison" (the apple) is the result of this suppressed anger. When the foe eats the apple (takes the "poison"), he dies. This shows that suppressed emotions (like anger) have consequences. The other options:

• "Uselessness of crying" is not related to the metaphor of the poison - apple.
• The poem is about a foe, not friendship.
• "Symbolizes happiness" is the opposite of what the "poison" (apple that kills) represents.

Answer:

It reflects the consequences of suppressed emotions.