D.H. Lawrence is a well-known English poet, novelist, critics and essayist. His novels are noted for their realistic and psychological treatment of man-woman sexual relation ship. He developed a personal philosophy that the instincts are superior to the reasoning of the mind. He was essentially a moralist who believed that modern man was becoming divorced from his natural feelings. The poem "Snake" is among Lawrence's well known poems. In this poem he has narrated the story of his incidental meeting with a snake. He was fascinated by his dignified and quiet ways. He loved and respected him as a guest.
The poem has several layers of meaning.
It points out poet's reaction of fear and fascinating to the snake. There is a conflict between his natural feelings and his rational thinking. The poem pints out how our feelings of affection are crushed by our social education. Our reasoning often misleads us. Man sometimes kills other animals just to prove his power and manhood. But he has no right to deprive others of their right to live. The poem arouses feelings of love and sympathy for all creatures in this world. Although the poet hits the snake under the influence of his education, yet he feels sorry for his mean act. So man's natural instinct prevails in the end.
The poem has several layers of meaning.
It points out poet's reaction of fear and fascinating to the snake. There is a conflict between his natural feelings and his rational thinking. The poem pints out how our feelings of affection are crushed by our social education. Our reasoning often misleads us. Man sometimes kills other animals just to prove his power and manhood. But he has no right to deprive others of their right to live. The poem arouses feelings of love and sympathy for all creatures in this world. Although the poet hits the snake under the influence of his education, yet he feels sorry for his mean act. So man's natural instinct prevails in the end.
