The Snake - D.H. Lawrence
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The Snake" by D. H. Lawrence was first published in 1923 as part of Lawrence's collection of poetry titled "Birds, Beasts and Flowers." "The Snake" stands out as one of the most celebrated poems in the collection, drawing praise for its exploration of themes such as human nature, morality, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.
"The Snake" by D. H. Lawrence is a poem that reflects on the encounter between the narrator and a snake in his water-trough on a hot Sicilian day. Wearing pajamas to avoid the heat, the speaker moves to the trough under a carob tree's shadow. He is shocked and surprised to see a snake there already, sipping from the trough slowly.
The speaker of the poetry explores complex emotions and moral dilemma. Tradition dictates that the black snakes in Sicily are harmless, while the golden ones are venomous. The speaker is urged by inner voices to kill the snake, but he is torn by conflicting feelings.
Though first fright prevents the poet, he started to love the snake and describes it as a pleasant visitor looking for comfort from the scorching dirt. The inner voices are urging violence but the poet wants to interact with the creature.
But as the snake moves toward a hole in the wall, after drinking the water, the poet throws a log at it without thinking, and regrets it right away. The poet despises himself and doubts his human education as this quick act of aggression is seen petty and ugly.
The poet concludes the poem with regret and wants the snakes to return since he sees them as a magnificent creature worthy of honor and respect. The poet is left with a sense of personal pettiness to expiate after the encounter with the snake highlights the conflict between human inclinations and our relationship to the natural world.
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