Poetic Techniques in Keki N. Daruwalla’s Poem “Snake”
Keki N. Daruwalla’s poem "Snake" explores the themes of nature, conflict, and human interaction with the environment, focusing on the complex emotions that arise when encountering a snake. Through vivid imagery, symbolism, and other literary devices, Daruwalla captures the ambivalence of the human relationship with nature—simultaneously reverential and fearful. The poem employs various poetic techniques to convey its central message and emotional depth. Below is a detailed analysis of the techniques used in the poem.
1. Imagery
Imagery is one of the most striking poetic techniques employed in "Snake." Daruwalla paints a vivid picture of the snake and its environment, bringing the reader into the scene and heightening the emotional and sensory experience. The imagery creates a sense of awe and tension, as the poet observes the snake's movements.
For example, the description of the snake as it "came like a god" or "serpent-shaped" establishes its almost divine, yet dangerous, presence. The visual imagery of the snake’s "coil" and "smooth body" draws the reader’s attention to the grace and natural beauty of the creature, evoking both admiration and fear.
Additionally, the detailed depiction of the surroundings helps to set the scene. The "sunlight" and the "dust" create a hot, oppressive atmosphere, which reflects the tension between the poet and the snake. The poet's description of the snake in the setting, alongside the clear observation of its form, makes it almost impossible to ignore the power and allure of the creature.
2. Symbolism
The snake in Daruwalla's poem functions as a powerful symbol. The snake represents more than just a physical creature; it symbolizes various concepts such as fear, temptation, wisdom, and the eternal cycle of life and death.
- Fear and Danger: The snake’s presence invokes an immediate sense of danger, a primal fear in the speaker. The fact that the poet is both intrigued and afraid of the snake reflects the instinctual human reaction to the unknown. This duality—being attracted yet fearful—captures the internal conflict between a reverence for the creature and the instinct to protect oneself from potential harm.
- Temptation and Morality: The snake also carries associations with temptation, particularly in cultural references like the biblical story of Adam and Eve. In the poem, the snake is an enigmatic figure that challenges the human being's moral decision-making. While the poet recognizes the snake’s grace, there is also the lingering sense that interacting with the snake could lead to unforeseen consequences, much like the snake’s symbolic role in the Garden of Eden.
- Wisdom and Spirituality: On another level, the snake can symbolize wisdom or enlightenment. In many cultures, snakes are revered as symbols of transformation and healing. The speaker’s reluctant decision to throw a stick at the snake might symbolize the rejection of higher wisdom, or a failure to engage with the deeper truths of nature, preferring instead a more aggressive, fear-based response.
3. Personification
Daruwalla uses personification to imbue the snake with human-like qualities, further complicating the emotional response of the speaker. For instance, the snake is not merely a cold, indifferent creature but is given a sense of purpose and awareness through the use of personification. When the poet describes the snake's "head" raised "in a kind of greeting," it imbues the creature with a sense of consciousness, as if it is aware of the human presence and possibly acknowledging it. This creates a subtle emotional connection between the snake and the poet, who might have felt that the snake was more than just a wild animal.
The act of personifying the snake increases the tension between the human and natural world, as it gives the snake a form of agency. The encounter becomes more of a meeting between two sentient beings, rather than a simple observation of nature.
4. Irony
Another striking feature of the poem is the irony inherent in the speaker’s actions and reflections. Initially, the poet is entranced by the snake, recognizing its beauty and the grace of its movement. However, when the snake poses no immediate threat, the speaker feels compelled to act against it by throwing a stick. The irony lies in the fact that the speaker, who has earlier expressed admiration for the snake, is now forced by his own societal conditioning or instinctive fear to harm the creature. This sudden action seems unnecessary, and it highlights the dissonance between human impulses and rational thought.
Moreover, the irony is reinforced by the speaker's later reflection on the event. After the snake disappears into the grass, the speaker feels guilty and regretful, highlighting the internal conflict between his human instincts and a deeper sense of reverence for the snake. The irony of the moment is not just in the action itself but in the dissonance between the instinctive reaction and the speaker's ultimate realization that his fear led to a missed opportunity for a harmonious coexistence with nature.
5. Alliteration
Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, is used to enhance the musical quality of the poem and emphasize particular aspects of the snake’s movements. For example, phrases like “slipped silently” and “smooth, soft” make the description of the snake’s actions more fluid and elegant. The repetition of sounds mimics the snake’s gliding motion, lending the poem a rhythmic quality that mirrors the snake’s grace.
This technique also draws attention to the precision and grace of the snake's movements, underscoring its natural elegance and the reverence the poet feels toward the creature. The soothing repetition also contrasts with the speaker's eventual aggression, enhancing the poem's exploration of conflicting emotions.
6. Rhyme and Meter
The poem follows a loose, irregular rhyme scheme, with occasional rhyming couplets and quatrains. This structure is reflective of the poem’s theme of inner conflict, where the natural flow of the snake’s movement (smooth and rhythmic) contrasts with the disjointed human response (irrational and abrupt). The fluidity of the rhyme scheme complements the theme of nature's elegance and its uneasy relationship with human action.
The meter is also irregular, contributing to the tension between natural flow and human disruption. The irregularity in meter reflects the speaker’s disturbed conscience and the unsettling nature of the encounter with the snake.
Conclusion
Keki N. Daruwalla’s "Snake" is a profound meditation on human nature, fear, and the complex emotions evoked by encounters with the natural world. Through his use of imagery, symbolism, personification, irony, alliteration, and structural techniques, Daruwalla creates a narrative that is both introspective and reflective. The poem serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between reverence for nature and the primal instincts that sometimes prompt violence and separation. Ultimately, the poem challenges the reader to reflect on their own responses to the natural world and the possibility of living in harmony with it.
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