Snake by D.H. Lawrence Essay
Introduction:
D.H. Lawrence’s poem Snake is about a personal experience of the poet when he encounters a snake at his water trough. The poem explores themes of nature, human instinct, and guilt. Lawrence describes his admiration for the snake but also struggles with societal beliefs that snakes are dangerous. In the end, he regrets his actions and reflects on the wisdom of nature. The poem highlights the conflict between human education and natural instincts.
The Setting and the Encounter:
The poem takes place on a hot summer day in Sicily, where the poet goes to fetch water. He notices a snake drinking water at the trough and watches it in silence. The snake is calm and unafraid, moving slowly as it quenches its thirst. Lawrence describes the snake’s golden-brown skin, making it appear majestic. Despite its reputation as a dangerous creature, the poet feels honored by its presence. He does not want to disturb the snake but hesitates due to his inner conflict.
The Internal Conflict:
The poet struggles between admiration and fear due to society’s teachings. He remembers being taught that snakes are dangerous and should be killed. His “voice of education” tells him that it is his duty to get rid of the snake. However, another part of him respects the snake’s beauty and peaceful nature. This inner conflict represents the clash between instinct and learned behavior. The poet feels both thrilled and guilty as he watches the creature.
The Rash Action and Regret:
Despite his admiration, the poet gives in to societal pressure and throws a log at the snake. The snake quickly retreats into a dark hole, disappearing from sight. Immediately, the poet feels deep regret for his action. He realizes that he has done something foolish by harming a harmless creature. He compares his action to that of “a mean and petty person.” His regret shows his realization that nature should be respected rather than feared.
The Final Reflection:
In the final lines, the poet reflects on his mistake and calls the snake “a king in exile.” He feels he has missed an opportunity to honor a noble creature. The poem suggests that humans often act against their true instincts due to societal conditioning. Lawrence criticizes how education teaches fear rather than respect for nature. Through this reflection, he expresses a deep admiration for the snake, even after it is gone.
Conclusion:
D.H. Lawrence’s Snake is a powerful poem about human nature and the conflict between instinct and learned behavior. The poet regrets his actions and realizes that fear and prejudice can lead to wrong decisions. The poem teaches us to respect all creatures and to trust our natural instincts.
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Snake by D.H. Lawrence short summary
The poem Snake by D. H. Lawrence expresses the poet’s mixed feelings of admiration and fear towards a snake. On a very hot day in Taormina, Sicily, the poet went to his water trough to fill a pitcher. There, he saw a golden-brown snake drinking water in the deep shade of a carob tree. At first, he was scared but also felt honored by the snake’s presence. The snake came first, so he waited patiently for his turn.
The poet admired the snake’s beauty and realized it was harmless. He understood that the snake only wanted to quench its thirst and would return to it’s place peacefully. However, he struggled with his thoughts. His education had taught him that golden-brown snakes were dangerous and should be killed. His inner voice told him to harm it, but he also felt deep respect for the creature.
When the snake finished drinking, it slowly turned to leave. The poet suddenly felt a sense of terror. To prove he was not a coward, he picked up a log and threw it at the snake. He missed, but the snake sensed danger and quickly disappeared.
Immediately, the poet felt guilty for attacking his “guest.” He regretted his action, comparing it to the sin of killing the Albatross in Ancient Mariner. He believed the snake was like an uncrowned king living in exile, and he longed to make amends. He wished the snake would return so he could honor it instead.
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