"Snake" is a poem by D.H. Lawrence, written in 1920 and published in 1923. The poem is a vivid and introspective exploration of the complex relationship between humans and nature, focusing on the encounter between the speaker and a snake. Lawrence employs rich imagery, symbolism, and a nuanced narrative voice to delve into themes of instinct, fear, reverence, and the primal connection between humanity and the natural world.
The poem opens with the speaker recounting the arrival of a snake to his water trough. The use of the first-person narrative creates an intimate and immediate connection between the reader and the speaker, allowing for a more personal engagement with the events described. The setting of the poem is significant — a hot day in Sicily, a location that adds a layer of exoticism and intensity to the encounter.
The snake is described in meticulous detail, emphasizing its majestic and alien qualities. The speaker's initial reaction is one of fear and repulsion, a common human response to creatures perceived as threatening or dangerous. The snake's appearance is vividly portrayed with the lines:
"And immediately I was aghast.
A sort of horror, a sort of protest
Against his withdrawing into that horrid black hole,
And voluntarily going into the blackness,
And voluntarily going in with horror."
This excerpt captures the initial shock and repulsion felt by the speaker as he observes the snake withdrawing into the dark recesses of the water trough. The use of words like "horror" and "protest" conveys the speaker's instinctual aversion to the snake, setting the stage for the internal conflict that unfolds throughout the poem.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's fear gives way to a more complex range of emotions. He begins to question the societal and cultural conditioning that taught him to fear snakes and to see them as symbols of evil. Lawrence introduces the theme of cultural conditioning and its impact on human perception of the natural world. The speaker reflects on the snake's cultural associations with evil, as seen in phrases like "the Devil's pet," and realizes that his fear is not innate but learned.
The moment of revelation and transformation occurs when the speaker recognizes the snake as a fellow creature with its own right to exist. This realization is marked by the lines:
"And immediately I felt a cold sweat
dewily dropping on the back of my neck
And the sweat on my face felt clammy.
Oh, how that reptile looked back in the agony,
And glided into the hole."
This turning point in the poem captures the speaker's internal struggle as he confronts the conflict between his ingrained fear and the emerging sense of empathy and connection with the snake. The physical sensations of cold sweat and clamminess mirror the internal turmoil experienced by the speaker as he grapples with his changing perspective.
The shift in the speaker's attitude is further emphasized in the lines:
"And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords
Of life.
And I have something to expiate:
A pettiness."
The use of the term "lords of life" elevates the snake to a position of authority and power in the natural order. The speaker acknowledges that he missed an opportunity to embrace a deeper understanding of life and to transcend the pettiness of cultural conditioning and fear. This moment of realization becomes a point of reflection and self-critique for the speaker.
The snake, in this context, becomes a symbol of the untamed, primal forces of nature that exist outside the constraints of human society. The snake's grace, beauty, and natural instinct become contrasted with the speaker's internalized cultural biases. Lawrence explores the tension between civilization and the wild, urging readers to question the arbitrary boundaries humans impose on the natural world.
The theme of time is woven into the fabric of the poem, particularly in the speaker's reflections on missed opportunities and the irreversible nature of certain choices. The lines:
"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?"
These lines encapsulate the complexity of the speaker's emotions. The questions posed highlight the internal conflicts — a fear of being seen as cowardly, a desire for communion with the snake, and a sense of humility in the presence of a creature deemed unworthy by societal norms. The speaker grapples with the ambiguity of his own motivations, revealing the internal struggle between societal expectations and a more primal, instinctual connection to nature.
The language and imagery Lawrence employs throughout the poem contribute to its evocative power. The descriptions of the snake as "earth-brown, earth-golden" and "yellow-brown slackness soft-bellied" evoke a sensual and vivid image of the creature. The use of alliteration, assonance, and consonance enhances the musicality of the poem, creating a rhythmic quality that echoes the movements of the snake.
The poem's structure is notable for its free verse form, allowing for a natural and organic flow of thought. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter contributes to the conversational and introspective tone of the poem. The enjambment, or continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, adds to the fluidity of the speaker's reflections, mirroring the ebb and flow of his thoughts.
In conclusion, "Snake" by D.H. Lawrence is a nuanced exploration of the human-nature relationship, delving into themes of fear, cultural conditioning, and the primal connection between humanity and the untamed forces of the natural world. The poem captures a transformative moment in which the speaker confronts his own biases and grapples with the complex interplay of instinct and learned behavior. Through vivid imagery, rich language, and a contemplative narrative voice, Lawrence invites readers to question societal norms, reconsider their relationship with nature, and reflect on the profound impact of cultural conditioning on human perception. "Snake" remains a timeless and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers, inviting them to engage with the deeper currents of human psychology and the mysteries of the natural world.
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