Songs of Innocence and of Experience Lesson Plan

What does "My Pretty Rose-tree" suggest about Blake's perspective on free love?

"My Pretty Rose-tree" explores, once again, the concept of love in a fallen world, and can be seen as Blake advocating for free love. After the speaker refuses the flower, the rose-tree--presumably a married partner--withholds her sexuality and love, as well, out of jealous spite. The jealous response of the rose-tree returns to the idea of the experience of love in a fallen world--love that is possessive and jealous and cruelly desires to control the loved one. The rose's thorns represent the way in which, in a fallen world, sexuality is associated with shame and...