'Snake' by D.H. Lawrence

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1923A snake came to my water-trough
On a hot, hot day, and I in pyjamas for the heat,
To drink there.
In the deep, strange-scented shade of the great dark carob-tree
I came down the steps with my pitcher
And must wait, must stand and wait, for there he was at the trough before
me.He reached down from a fissure in the earth-wall in the gloom
And trailed his yellow-brown slackness soft-bellied down, over the edge of
the stone trough
And rested his throat upon the stone bottom,
And where the water had dripped from the tap, in a small clearness,
He sipped with his straight mouth,
Softly drank through his straight gums, into his slack long body,
Silently.Someone was before me at my water-trough,
And I, like a second comer, waiting.He lifted his head from his drinking, as cattle do,
And looked at me vaguely, as drinking cattle do,
And flickered his two-forked tongue from his lips, and mused a moment,
And stooped and drank a little more,
Being earth-brown, earth-golden from the burning bowels of the earth
On the day of Sicilian July, with Etna smoking.
The voice of my education said to me
He must be killed,
For in Sicily the black, black snakes are innocent, the gold are venomous.And voices in me said, If you were a man
You would take a stick and break him now, and finish him off.But must I confess how I liked him,
How glad I was he had come like a guest in quiet, to drink at my water-trough
And depart peaceful, pacified, and thankless,
Into the burning bowels of this earth?Was it cowardice, that I dared not kill him? Was it perversity, that I longed to talk to him? Was it humility, to feel so honoured?
I felt so honoured.And yet those voices:

Editor 1 Interpretation

Snake by D.H. Lawrence: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Nature Imagery

Have you ever felt the allure of the wild, the primal pull of the untamed, the creeping fear and fascination of a creature that embodies both beauty and danger? If so, then you'll understand why Snake, the poem by D.H. Lawrence, remains a timeless classic that continues to fascinate readers with its powerful symbolism and rich imagery.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore how Lawrence uses language and symbolism to create an unforgettable portrait of a snake, and how he explores complex themes of instinct, civilization, and the human relationship with nature.

The Setting: A Hot Summer Day in Sicily

First, let's set the scene. Snake takes place on a hot summer day in Sicily, where Lawrence himself lived for a time. The speaker of the poem describes how he sits at his water trough, waiting for the arrival of his daily supply of water. The routine is mundane, but necessary for survival in this arid landscape.

However, this routine is disrupted by the appearance of a snake, slithering down from the rocky hillside to drink from the trough. The speaker watches the snake with a mix of fear, fascination, and awe. He notes how the snake moves with a grace and fluidity that is both beautiful and terrifying.

The Snake: A Powerful Symbol of Instinct and Nature

But the snake is more than just a creature in this poem. It is a powerful symbol of instinct and nature, contrasting with the speaker's own sense of civilized order and control.

The speaker notes how he is torn between his fear of the snake and his desire to connect with it. He questions whether he should kill the snake, as his instinct tells him to do, or whether he should let it be and respect its right to exist.

As the snake drinks from the trough, the speaker is transfixed by its beauty and power. He notes how the snake's skin shines like green satin, and how its eyes are like "two yellow lollipops." He is drawn to the snake's wildness and primal energy, even as he knows that this energy is a threat to his own sense of order and control.

The Human Relationship with Nature

At its heart, Snake is a meditation on the complex relationship between humans and nature. Lawrence explores how our sense of order, control, and civilization can come into conflict with our own primal instincts and the natural world around us.

The speaker notes how he is torn between his own sense of propriety and the snake's right to exist. He questions whether he should kill the snake, as his instinct tells him to do, or whether he should let it be and respect its right to exist.

Through this conflict, Lawrence raises important questions about our relationship with nature. How do we balance our desire for order and control with the need to respect and preserve the natural world? How do we come to terms with our own primal instincts, which can be both beautiful and dangerous?

The Power of Language and Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of Snake is the power of Lawrence's language and imagery. He creates a vivid portrait of the snake, using language that is both beautiful and unsettling.

For example, Lawrence notes how the snake's skin shines like green satin, and how its eyes are like "two yellow lollipops." These descriptions evoke a sense of both beauty and danger, capturing the complex nature of the snake and its relationship with the speaker.

Similarly, Lawrence uses vivid imagery to describe the speaker's own conflicted feelings. He notes how the speaker's heart "froze" with fear and how he felt a "strange cold thrill" run through his spine. These descriptions capture the speaker's sense of awe and fascination, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own conflicting emotions.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Nature Imagery

In conclusion, Snake is a masterpiece of symbolism and nature imagery that continues to captivate readers with its powerful portrayal of a snake and its relationship with a human observer. Through the use of vivid language and imagery, Lawrence explores complex themes of instinct, civilization, and the human relationship with nature.

As readers, we are left to ponder our own relationship with the natural world and the primal instincts that lie within us. Do we embrace the wildness and beauty of the natural world, or do we cling to our sense of order and control? Ultimately, Lawrence's poem reminds us of the power of nature and the complex relationship between humans and the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Snake: A Masterpiece of D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English novelist, poet, and playwright, is known for his exceptional literary works that explore the complexities of human nature and relationships. Among his many works, the Poetry Snake stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its transformative power.

The Poetry Snake is a short poem that consists of only six lines, yet it manages to convey a profound message about the nature of poetry and its impact on the human psyche. The poem begins with the line, "A snake came to my water-trough," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of a snake is often associated with danger and fear, but in this context, it represents something entirely different.

The snake in the poem is a metaphor for poetry, which is often seen as a dangerous and unpredictable force that can either inspire or destroy. The fact that the snake comes to the speaker's water-trough suggests that poetry is a source of nourishment and sustenance, something that the speaker needs to survive.

The next line of the poem, "On a hot, hot day, and I in pyjamas for the heat," further emphasizes the transformative power of poetry. The heat represents the oppressive nature of the world, which can be overwhelming and suffocating. The fact that the speaker is in pyjamas suggests that they are vulnerable and exposed, which makes them more receptive to the transformative power of poetry.

The third line of the poem, "To drink there," suggests that the speaker is thirsty for something that only poetry can provide. The act of drinking is often associated with nourishment and sustenance, which reinforces the idea that poetry is a source of sustenance for the human soul.

The fourth line of the poem, "In the deep, strange-scented shade of the great dark carob-tree," creates a vivid image of a mystical and enchanting place where poetry can thrive. The carob-tree represents the natural world, which is often seen as a source of inspiration for poets. The shade of the tree represents the protection and comfort that poetry can provide in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving.

The fifth line of the poem, "I came down the steps with my pitcher," suggests that the speaker has been transformed by the power of poetry. The act of coming down the steps represents a descent into a new state of being, one that is more enlightened and aware. The pitcher represents the vessel that the speaker uses to carry the transformative power of poetry with them.

The final line of the poem, "A white snake, a white serpent," is a powerful image that represents the purity and transformative power of poetry. The fact that the snake is white suggests that it is a force for good, one that can purify and cleanse the human soul. The serpent is often associated with wisdom and knowledge, which reinforces the idea that poetry is a source of enlightenment and understanding.

In conclusion, the Poetry Snake is a masterpiece of D.H. Lawrence that captures the transformative power of poetry. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Lawrence creates a powerful message about the nature of poetry and its impact on the human psyche. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to inspire, transform, and enlighten.

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