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What is the central image in the poem 'Snake' by D.H. Lawrence?
What is the central image in the poem 'Snake' by D.H. Lawrence?
What does the snake symbolize in the poem 'Snake'?
What does the snake symbolize in the poem 'Snake'?
What poetic device is used to create a sense of flow and tension in the poem 'Snake'?
What poetic device is used to create a sense of flow and tension in the poem 'Snake'?
What is a critical interpretation of the snake in the poem 'Snake'?
What is a critical interpretation of the snake in the poem 'Snake'?
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What is a theme present in the poem 'Snake'?
What is a theme present in the poem 'Snake'?
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In what collection was the poem 'Snake' published?
In what collection was the poem 'Snake' published?
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Study Notes
Snake by D.H. Lawrence
Poem Overview
- Written in 1923 by D.H. Lawrence, a British novelist, poet, and playwright
- Published in the collection "Birds, Beasts and Flowers"
Key Elements
- The poem is about a snake that visits the speaker's water trough
- The speaker is initially frightened, but then becomes fascinated by the snake's beauty and power
Imagery and Symbolism
- The snake represents chaos, freedom, and primal energy
- Water trough symbolizes life, vitality, and nourishment
- The speaker's conflicting emotions (fear and fascination) reflect the duality of human nature
Themes
- The struggle between reason and instinct
- The allure of the unknown and the primal
- The speaker's inner conflict between civilization and savagery
Poetic Devices
- Free verse, with no rhyming scheme or consistent meter
- Rich, vivid imagery and descriptive language to convey the speaker's emotions and the snake's presence
- Enjambment and caesura used to create a sense of flow and tension
Critical Interpretations
- The poem is often seen as an exploration of Lawrence's own psyche and his fascination with the natural world
- Some critics interpret the snake as a symbol of the speaker's own repressed desires and unconscious mind
Snake by D.H. Lawrence
Poem Context
- Written in 1923
- Part of the collection "Birds, Beasts and Flowers"
- Author: D.H. Lawrence, a British novelist, poet, and playwright
Poem Content
- The poem is about a snake's visit to the speaker's water trough
- Speaker's initial fear gives way to fascination with the snake's beauty and power
Symbolism and Imagery
- Snake represents chaos, freedom, and primal energy
- Water trough symbolizes life, vitality, and nourishment
- Speaker's conflicting emotions reflect the duality of human nature
Themes
- Struggle between reason and instinct
- Allure of the unknown and the primal
- Inner conflict between civilization and savagery
Poetic Style
- Free verse, no rhyming scheme or consistent meter
- Rich, vivid imagery and descriptive language
- Enjambment and caesura create a sense of flow and tension
Author's Perspective
- Explores Lawrence's own psyche and fascination with the natural world
- Snake may symbolize repressed desires and the unconscious mind
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Description
Explore the themes and symbolism in D.H. Lawrence's poem Snake, published in 1923, and analyze its key elements and imagery.
