'Considering The Snail' by Thom Gunn
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The snail pushes through a green
night, for the grass is heavy
with water and meets over
the bright path he makes, where rain
has darkened the earth's dark. He
moves in a wood of desire,
pale antlers barely stirring
as he hunts. I cannot tell
what power is at work, drenched there
with purpose, knowing nothing.
What is a snail's fury? All
I think is that if later
I parted the blades above
the tunnel and saw the thin
trail of broken white across
litter, I would never have
imagined the slow passion
to that deliberate progress.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
Considering the Snail: A Close Reading
Have you ever stopped to consider a snail? To really look at it, study it, and contemplate its existence? In his poem "Considering the Snail," Thom Gunn does just that. Through his observations of a snail, Gunn explores themes of time, mortality, and the natural world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at Gunn's "Considering the Snail," examining its structure, language, and themes.
Structure
"Considering the Snail" is a free-verse poem consisting of six stanzas of varying lengths. The poem's structure is non-linear, with Gunn jumping from one observation to another. However, there is a sense of progression throughout the poem, as Gunn moves from describing the snail's physical characteristics to reflecting on its place in the natural world.
The first stanza sets the scene, as Gunn describes the snail's movement along a garden path. The second and third stanzas focus on the snail's physical characteristics, with Gunn examining its "shell's keen lip," "tender horns," and "soft-petalled feet." In the fourth stanza, Gunn reflects on the snail's pace, comparing it to the larger and faster creatures in the world. In the fifth stanza, Gunn shifts his focus to the snail's place in the natural world, considering its relationship to the sun and the rain. Finally, in the sixth stanza, Gunn reflects on the snail's mortality, imagining its eventual death and decay.
Language
Gunn's language in "Considering the Snail" is simple and direct, yet also rich in sensory detail. He uses a variety of poetic devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and imagery, to bring the snail to life on the page.
In the first stanza, Gunn's use of alliteration creates a sense of movement, as the snail "slides" and "slithers" along the garden path. In the second stanza, his use of the word "proud" to describe the snail's shell gives it a sense of dignity and importance. In the third stanza, Gunn's use of assonance in "tender horns" and "soft-petalled" creates a soft, gentle tone that mirrors the snail's delicate nature.
In the fourth stanza, Gunn's use of imagery is particularly striking. He compares the snail's pace to "the rustling dress of leaves," creating a sensory image that is both beautiful and accurate. In the fifth stanza, Gunn's use of personification in "the sun knows nothing of this" and "the rain hangs in the air" gives the natural world a sense of consciousness and agency.
Finally, in the sixth stanza, Gunn's use of metaphor is especially poignant. He compares the snail's eventual death and decay to "a year's life in a day." This metaphor emphasizes the brevity and fragility of life, a theme that runs throughout the poem.
Themes
At its core, "Considering the Snail" is a meditation on time, mortality, and the natural world. Through his observations of a single snail, Gunn invites us to consider our own place in the world and the fleeting nature of life.
One theme that stands out in the poem is the theme of time. Gunn is keenly aware of the snail's slow pace, contrasting it with the larger and faster creatures in the world. He also notes the snail's relationship to the sun and the rain, two natural phenomena that are intimately connected to the passage of time. Throughout the poem, there is a sense of time ticking away, a reminder that everything in the natural world is subject to the same unstoppable force.
Another theme that emerges in "Considering the Snail" is the theme of mortality. Gunn's reflection on the snail's eventual death and decay is a reminder that all living things must eventually come to an end. The metaphor of "a year's life in a day" underscores the brevity and fragility of life, highlighting the need to appreciate and cherish every moment.
Finally, "Considering the Snail" is a celebration of the natural world. Through his detailed observations of the snail's physical characteristics and its relationship to the sun and the rain, Gunn invites us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world. He reminds us that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant creatures have a place in the world, and that everything is connected in some way.
Conclusion
"Considering the Snail" is a beautiful and poignant poem that invites us to consider our own place in the world. Through his observations of a single snail, Thom Gunn explores themes of time, mortality, and the natural world, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the moment. With its rich language and non-linear structure, "Considering the Snail" is a masterful example of free-verse poetry, a testament to Gunn's skill as a poet. So, the next time you see a snail on a garden path, take a moment to consider it, and think of Thom Gunn's beautiful poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Considering The Snail: A Masterpiece of Poetic Observation
Thom Gunn’s poem “Considering The Snail” is a masterpiece of poetic observation. The poem is a meditation on the nature of life and death, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. It is a deeply philosophical work that explores the themes of mortality, time, and the transience of life.
The poem begins with the speaker observing a snail crawling across a path. The snail is described as “brown, / With a shell of ample size, / Sepia, / Marked with spiral lines.” The speaker is struck by the snail’s slow and deliberate movements, and the way it seems to be “taking its time / As though there were no need / To hurry toward some future / Which is itself.”
The snail becomes a symbol of the natural world, and the speaker reflects on the way that humans often rush through life, always striving for something more. The snail, on the other hand, is content to simply exist in the present moment, without any sense of urgency or ambition. The speaker muses that “It is not for want / Of will that I am still / In the middle of things, / It is only that I am slow / And do not know where I am going.”
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. He notes that “The snail is always near death / Because its shell, / Fragile and unprotected, / Is its only home.” The snail’s vulnerability becomes a metaphor for the fragility of human life, and the inevitability of our own mortality.
The speaker then turns his attention to the natural world around him, and the way that everything is in a constant state of flux. He notes that “The trees are in their autumn beauty, / The woodland paths are dry, / Under the October twilight the water / Mirrors a still sky.” The changing seasons become a symbol of the passage of time, and the way that everything is constantly in a state of transition.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on his own mortality, and the way that he is a part of the natural world. He notes that “I too am a part / Of this great mystery, / And will go on / Like everything else.” The poem ends on a note of acceptance, as the speaker comes to terms with his own mortality and the transience of life.
Overall, “Considering The Snail” is a deeply philosophical work that explores the themes of mortality, time, and the transience of life. It is a powerful meditation on the relationship between humans and the natural world, and the way that we are all a part of the same great mystery. The poem is a testament to the power of observation, and the way that even the smallest things can reveal profound truths about the world around us.
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