Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Hunting Snake

Good Essays
712 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Hunting Snake
‘HUNTING SNAKE’. The verbal connotation(of Hunting) evokes an image of the reptile being hunted yet it is in the adjectival sense that Judith Wright chooses to perceive the word as she expresses her appreciation for this creature of predatorial character.The impact of the poem in conveying Wright’s sense of the righteous conservationist she was in her lifetime is no less than the whiplash of that very creature.
The utopian setting of the poet and her companion on a walk is ascribed to ‘la grace de l’automne’. The ‘gentlest sky’, ’sun-warmed’ and ‘we walked’ are mentioned with an indolence characteristic of the season, even the hour. One is almost eager to inhale the ‘mellow fruitfulness’ that pervades the atmosphere. Until…the pair ‘froze half-through a pace’ ,videlicet, were rendered immobile as ‘The great black snake went reeling by.’ Note, again the potent impact created through the usage of radically opposite ‘sun-warmed’ and ‘froze’; the former indicative of the sun’s caring warmth dispelling the seasonal chill while the latter clearly pinpoints the fear that chills their blood. ’Reeling’ is the poet being her pithiest best: evocative of the particular meandering movement of the reptile and simultaneously, the manner in which, surely, their minds reeled in fear.
The pen pictures ‘head-down’, ‘tongue flickering’, ‘quested’ and ‘parting grass’ focus the reader’s attention and concentration entirely on the snake. It echoes that of the arrested pair. The single-minded pursuit is brilliantly etched through the first two expressions; the latter two exemplify how the snake’s quest made even the grass make way for it. Personification to make the picture come alive, as though to assert that the low-lying blades even bowed, rather acquiesced to the masterful intent.’Sun glazed his curves of diamond scale’ subtly hints at the awe-generating sight the poet and her companion are witnessing. It is the very first admission of the creature’s individuality, its raw sensuality which is just beginning to imprint his audience’s mind. So much that they almost forget to draw a breath.
The poet’s disclaimer that they even gave a thought to the trail the creature followed or the prey he was hunting is ironical since these are the precise thoughts that govern their subconscious. The Alliteration in ‘what track he followed,…. small food fled living from his fierce intent’ is so powerful that it appears as an attempt to arouse empathy for the prey. It is the poet’s masterstroke : the fits and starts that characterize the vocal expression thereof is symbolic of the sudden flight, the stumble, the desperate escape of the prey being targetted by the snake. The sibilants ‘we scarcely thought; still as we stood’ perfectly capture the hissing of the snake. The caesura therein projects how mesmerized were the poet and her companion, that though they stood transfixed, their ‘eyes went with him as he went’.
In the final stanza, the poet voices her wonder at the majestic qualities of the snake : ‘cold, dark, splendid’ ; the enjambment in the line serving to underscore the sense of purpose behind the movement of the snake. Scant regard does the reptile have for his audience and the respect and space the creature grants is reciprocated in equal measure by the poet when she exerts no sympathy talking about the prey or the cruelty of the predator.The tone here is matter-of-fact, the perfect foil as if it were to the perception offered in stanza 3 through the lens of the alliteration.
The 3 quatrains of the poem sharing the rhyme scheme of abab, portray the inflexible character of the poem and the two creatures whose paths cross. The image is of a compactly coiled structure, emblematizing the denial of any superfluous movement by the snake and emotion by the poet and her companion. Consequently the distinct shift in rhyme to abba in the final stanza sounds consciously as a letting go, a whoosh of breath, that was held in check almost unconsciously while in the presence of the snake. In that same breath, it is equally, an admission, a piece of well-meant and lasting advice; that life might come to a standstill momentarily, but eventually, it moves on. The indelible imprint of the conservationist lingers long after: LIVE AND LET LIVE!

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The poem was constructed in first person, this gives the story a very personal feeling from the author. Dixon shares the thoughts of the characters through the language he uses, for example in the fourth stanza ‘beware of their bold, cold stares, those icy snake eyes are looking down’ take the readers through the mind…

    • 638 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Rattler

    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In “The Rattler”, Peattie’s uses literary techniques to contribute to a somber ambiance. Peattie uses organization and selection of detail to convey sense. His language helps the reader see the snake in a new light. Peattie’s use of a metaphor foreshadows the outcome of the story. Finally, Peattie’s use of first person helps the reader further understand the character’s dilemma.…

    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Rattler Essay

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The author's techniques used in "The Rattler" convey not only a feeling of sadness and remorse but also a sense of the man's acceptance of the snake's impending death. A human being has confronted nature, and in order for him to survive, the snake muse be killed. The reader feels sympathy for the man's plight and a reluctance agreement with him for his decision.…

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    One can have conflicting encounters with Nature. While some are gay and amusing, others can be depressing and unsettling. "The Rattler" describes a rueful encounter between a man and a snake. The man in the passage is torn between allegiances to his duty and his feelings. The man, at length, decides to obey his sense of duty, and proceeds to kill the snake. After killing the snake, he recounts his decision and comes to regret it. In the passage, the use of language and details about the man, the snake, and the setting invites the reader to feel sympathetic toward the snake and the man.…

    • 823 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Death, in no way, is rewarding for the man. However, the man soon “reflect[s]” that he has “children, dogs, horses, men and women” back at his ranch. What was already a hard situation is made harder with another perspective to consider and it is evident that the man is torn by this. The use of the term “reflect” proves that the man has been thinking deeply and carefully about what to do. Therefore, when he finally does decide to kill the snake, he is quick to note it is his “duty, plainly”, as if he needs a valid reason to persuade himself. The internal conflict within him begins to form and continues after the death when he describes it to be a “pitiful”, “nasty sight”. Guilt also starts to form in him, as he struggles with what he has done. Since he is depicted as a peaceful man, his reaction to the murder is moving and prompts empathy for him. The man’s actions after the snake’s death similarly reinforce a sense of empathy towards him. Taking no pride in his work, the man does not move to “cut off the rattles” as most would do. In fact, he seems to regret it as he imagines the snake still alive, “sinuous and…

    • 467 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Rattler

    • 499 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The author's diction heightens aggression and force behind the snake and the feelings of regret in the man. The man did not get any pleasure of killing an animal. For example, the only reason he killed him was for the sake of the people around the ranch. After killing him, he put him in the " close green guardianship" in a bush. The snake tempted the man with his "furious signal". The phrase " furious signal" suggests aggression by defending himself. The snake never backed down from the man, and was always strong. The author's use of words were great, and made tone transitions very well.…

    • 499 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Rattler

    • 1141 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The setting has a peaceful and calm effect on the reader. The event takes place in the desert after sunset; the writer describes the setting in a way where if you were in the desert on a cool evening you wouldn’t think that you would come upon any danger or threat to your life. The writer writes, “Light was thinning; the scrub’s dry savory odors were sweet on the cooler air. In this, the first pleasant moment for a walk after long blazing hours, I thought I was the only thing abroad.” The writer used a series of selection of detail and language to create an atmosphere that at first showed that the man was alone and relaxed until he came upon the snake.…

    • 1141 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "The Rattler" Essay

    • 495 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The reader sympathizes with the man, who feels obliged to kill the snake, as a result of the language and details pertaining to him in the story. The man is taking a peaceful walk in the evening when the presence of a snake in his path takes him by surprise. The narrator states that he gets no enjoyment from “the sport in taking life.” Here, the speaker informs the reader that he does not normally kill animals, showing that he is sensitive enough to respect animals and their rights. He clearly states that he has never killed an animal unless he was compelled to kill, proving that his decision to kill the snake is based on valid reasons. The narrator then begins to question his first instinct. After thinking carefully about the people and animals nearby who could be harmed by the snake, the man realizes that it is his “duty…to kill the snake.” In other words, the man understands that there are more important things to be concerned about than the well-being of the snake. The rattlesnake poses a threat to the man’s community. There is a good chance that the poisonous snake will, at some point, harm one of the lightly shod ranchers, and the man is not willing to risk the safety of his loved ones merely for the preservation of the snake’s existence. Valiantly, the man decides to…

    • 495 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "The Rattler"

    • 899 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The author then depicts the snake as an innocent creature to continue to produce the effect of life being dear for the snake, also. When the author first introduces the snake to the reader the snake did not have his head "drawn back to strike." The detail to include the snake's "calm watchfulness" and demeanor of the snake creates an effect of a snake that is not mean or despicable, but of a snake that is…

    • 899 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Rattler Essay

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The author uses diction in the passages to signify the effect of the author¡¯s meaning in story and often sway readers to interpret ideas in one way or another. The man in the story arrives to a ¡°[dry] desert¡± where he accosts an animal with ¡°long-range attack¡± and ¡°powerful fangs.¡± The author creates a perilous scene between the human and animal in order to show that satisfaction does not come from taking lives. With instincts of silence and distrust, both of them freeze in stillness like ¡°live wire.¡± In addition, the man is brought to the point where animal¡¯s ¡°tail twitched,¡± and ¡°the little tocsin sounded¡± and also he hears the ¡°little song of death.¡± With violence ready to occur, the man tries to protect himself and others with a hoe, for his and their safety from the Rattler. The author criticizes how humans should be ¡°obliged not to kill¡±, at least himself, as a human. The author portrays the story with diction and other important techniques, such as imagery, in order to influence the readers with his significant lesson.…

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rattler Diction

    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The speaker in “The Rattler” conveys that difficult choices are made in life to test one’s morals and actions in a situation. He does this by using diction to deliver a sense of respect for the rattler and equality between the man and the snake. The speaker wrote this story in order to show empathy for the snake as he speaks for the snake’s perspective. A relationship with the audience is established through creating remorse for the snake yet embracing the speaker’s “duty” with upholding understanding.…

    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Henri Rousseau

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The setting of “the snake charmer” is in the edge of a river and the edge of the jungle on a full moon evening. The snake charmer is standing between two worlds; the river and the jungle, which gives the painting a magical and dreamlike quality. The full moon on the sky makes it clear that it is twilight, but the reflected moonlight on the lake gives the impression that it could be dawn as well. The Snake charmer is standing…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On the both poems, D. H. Lawrence’s “snake” and Elizabeth bishop’s “Fish,” both author mentions about animals. Both writer treated animals as animals at first, but later on, they compare those animals with human. The explanation of visual, the time when two authors think those animals as human, and the ironic feeling that both author have demonstrate that both speakers state of mind change.…

    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Poems have a way of drawing an audience to several interpretations. This is clear in Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “The Fish” as the speaker has second thoughts of capturing a fish to eat after realizing the severities it went through. This poem does a great job of using several techniques to get its point across on the central theme, which is interpreted as the ongoing struggle of humans versus nature. The author uses several literary approaches to convey its message. By utilizing diction, figurative language and imagery, the power of man over the environment is easily developed.…

    • 1191 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Elizabeth Bishop has used past memories, personal experiences, and her observations of nature and human life to include in her poems. Many of Bishop’s poems include the mention of animals, such as ‘The Fish’, ‘The Prodigal’, and ‘The Armadillo’. This mention of animals and their behavior is effectively presented and supported with thorough detail. The precise language which Bishop chose to include in her poems, acts as a guideline for uncovering the emotion felt during the time of the experience. Had Bishop not included minor details that she considered to be critical, the chance of passing on the intensity of feeling may have been lost. In Bishop’s poem ‘The Fish’, she writes about her experience of catching a “tremendous fish”. By stating in the opening line that the fish was indeed…

    • 1123 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics