Exam-oriented note for Poem 9: The Snake Trying from English Beehive – Class IX, with a point-wise summary and detailed Q&A:
Poem 9: The Snake Trying
Poet: W.W.E. Ross
Point-wise Summary
- The poem describes a harmless green snake trying to escape human attack.
- It moves gracefully through the water and among the reeds, trying to save its life.
- The poet watches it gliding away, admiring its beauty and movement.
- A man with a stick tries to kill the snake, thinking it dangerous.
- The poet pleads for the snake’s life, saying it is harmless and deserves to live.
- The snake finally escapes into the bushes and disappears from sight.
Theme
- Compassion toward all living beings
- Misjudgment of creatures due to fear
- Beauty and grace in nature
- Need to protect wildlife
- Respect for all forms of life
Word Meanings
- Reeds – Tall grass-like plants growing near water
- Pursuing – Chasing or following
- Ripples – Small waves on the water surface
- Harmless – Not dangerous
- Vanish – Disappear completely
Literary Devices
- Alliteration: “he is harmless,” “pursuing stick”
- Imagery: Vivid visuals of the snake gliding through water
- Personification: The snake is shown to “try” and “glide,” attributing human-like effort
- Enjambment: Sentences continue beyond the end of a line
- Symbolism: Snake represents misunderstood creatures often harmed due to fear
Important Questions and Answers
1. What is the snake trying to do in the poem?
The snake is trying to escape from a man’s stick by gliding through the water and hiding in the bushes.
2. How does the poet describe the snake’s movement?
The poet describes it as graceful, smooth, and beautiful, using words like “glides” and “curves” to show its elegance.
3. What does the poet request from the reader or the man?
The poet asks that the snake be left alone because it is harmless and should not be killed unnecessarily.
4. What does the snake symbolize in the poem?
The snake represents innocent creatures that are feared and attacked by humans due to misconceptions.
5. Why is the poem titled “The Snake Trying”?
The title emphasizes the snake’s desperate effort to save itself and avoid harm from humans.
6. What is the tone of the poem?
The tone is sympathetic and pleading. The poet feels empathy for the snake and urges people not to harm it.
7. What message does the poem convey about nature?
The poem promotes kindness and understanding toward all animals. It teaches us to live harmoniously with nature.
8. Why do people often fear snakes, and how does the poet challenge this fear?
People fear snakes because they assume all snakes are venomous. The poet challenges this by saying not all snakes are dangerous and that many are harmless.
9. How does the poet contrast the snake’s beauty with the man’s violence?
While the snake is shown moving gracefully and peacefully, the man’s actions—chasing with a stick—represent irrational fear and aggression.
10. What can we learn from the poem about human behavior?
We often act out of fear rather than understanding. The poem urges us to be more compassionate and not harm creatures without cause.
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