Class 9 English - BIHAR
Poetry: The Snake Trying
The chapter 'The Snake Trying' is a thought-provoking poem written by W.W.E. Ross for Class 9 Bihar Board (BSEB) students. The poem describes a snake trying to escape the pursuing stick of a person. It highlights the theme of animal cruelty and peaceful coexistence, teaching students that not all snakes are harmful and many are harmless creatures merely trying to survive. For Bihar Board exams, questions from this chapter frequently focus on poetic devices, central themes, and comprehension, making it important to understand the poet's message of compassion towards nature and animals.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Chasing the Snake
The poem opens with a snake trying to save itself from being hit by someone wielding a stick, capturing the sudden panic of the creature.
Graceful Movement
The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the snake's body curving gracefully and thin, moving through the water and reeds to hide.
Harmless Nature
The poet emphasizes that the snake is completely harmless, even to children, and poses no real threat to humans.
Theme of Compassion
The central idea of the poem is to evoke empathy and kindness in readers, urging them not to harm innocent animals out of baseless fear.
Poetic Devices
The poem utilizes visual imagery and free verse to create a natural, flowing narrative without strict rhyme schemes.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 English exams, poetry chapters like 'The Snake Trying' typically carry around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on the central theme, extracts for reference-to-context, and vocabulary or meaning-based questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of the poem 'The Snake Trying'?
The central theme is peaceful coexistence and having compassion for animals, as not all snakes are poisonous or harmful.
Why is the snake trying to escape?
The snake is trying to escape because someone is chasing it with a stick to kill or hurt it.
Where does the snake finally hide to save itself?
The snake disappears into the green reeds and water, safely hiding away from the person chasing it.
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