Summary:
“Snake” is a poem by D.H. Lawrence that explores the complex relationship between humans and nature, particularly the conflict between instinct and societal conditioning. The poem describes an encounter between the speaker and a snake at a water trough on a hot day. Initially, the speaker admires the snake’s grace and presence, feeling honored by its visit. However, influenced by societal beliefs that snakes are dangerous, he experiences an internal struggle between admiration and fear. Eventually, he acts on this ingrained fear and throws a log at the snake, an action he immediately regrets.
The poem delves into themes such as the conflict between civilization and nature, guilt, and lost innocence. Lawrence uses vivid imagery, personification, and symbolism to convey the beauty of the snake and the speaker’s moral dilemma. The poem ultimately suggests that human interference in nature often leads to unnecessary harm and regret.
MCQs:
- Who is the author of Snake?
A) Robert Frost
B) D.H. Lawrence
C) William Blake
D) John Keats
Answer: B) D.H. Lawrence - What is the setting of the poem?
A) A riverbank
B) A desert
C) A water trough in the speaker’s yard
D) A forest clearing
Answer: C) A water trough in the speaker’s yard - What prompts the speaker’s inner conflict?
A) The fear of being bitten by the snake
B) Societal teachings that snakes are dangerous
C) The snake’s aggressive behavior
D) The presence of other people watching
Answer: B) Societal teachings that snakes are dangerous
Snake - How does the speaker initially feel about the snake?
A) Disgusted and afraid
B) Indifferent
C) Honored and fascinated
D) Angry and vengeful
Answer: C) Honored and fascinated - Why does the speaker throw a log at the snake?
A) To kill it for its skin
B) Out of an instinctive reaction driven by fear and societal conditioning
C) To make it move faster
D) Because it attacked him first
Answer: B) Out of an instinctive reaction driven by fear and societal conditioning - What emotion does the speaker feel after attacking the snake?
A) Pride
B) Relief
C) Deep regret and guilt
D) Indifference
Answer: C) Deep regret and guilt - What literary device is prominently used in the poem?
A) Hyperbole
B) Simile
C) Personification
D) Alliteration
Answer: C) Personification - What does the snake symbolize in the poem?
A) Evil and danger
B) The power of nature and lost innocence
C) Betrayal and revenge
D) Weakness and cowardice
Answer: B) The power of nature and lost innocence - What theme is central to the poem?
A) The inevitability of death
B) The conflict between instinct and societal norms
C) The beauty of urban life
D) The struggle for survival
Answer: B) The conflict between instinct and societal norms - What literary allusion does the speaker make regarding the snake?
A) A biblical reference to Adam and Eve
B) A comparison to a Greek god
C) A reference to medieval folklore
D) A mention of Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Answer: A) A biblical reference to Adam and Eve
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Snake |
| Author | D.H. Lawrence |
| Year Published | 1923 |
| Main Themes | Instinct vs. social conditioning, guilt, human-nature relationship |
| Literary Devices | Personification, symbolism, imagery |
| Mood Change | Admiration → Inner Conflict → Regret |
| Setting | A water trough in the speaker’s yard |
| Symbolism | The snake represents nature’s purity and human guilt |