summary of the poem snake by Lawrence
D.H. Lawrence's poem Snake is a philosophical poem that explores the themes of nature and human morality. The poem describes the speaker’s encounter with a snake that comes to drink water from his trough on a hot day. The speaker is both attracted and fearful. He admires the creature’s beauty and presence. At the same time he feels the pressure of societal teachings stating that snakes as dangerous.
At first, the speaker watches the snake with suprise, seeing it as majestic and almost noble. However, his ingrained prejudices make him feel that he must kill it. In a moment of impulse, he throws a log at the snake, causing it to move into its hole. Immediately, the speaker is filled with regret and shame, realizing that he has acted against his natural admiration and respect for the snake.
The poem explores the conflict between human instinct and learned behavior, questioning why humans often fear and destroy what they do not understand. Lawrence suggests that the snake, a symbol of nature’s power and mystery, is something to be honored rather than feared. The poem ends with the speaker lamenting his "petty" act, recognizing that he has missed an opportunity for a profound connection with nature.
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