Class 9 English - HARYANA
Poetry: The Snake Trying
The chapter 'Poetry: The Snake Trying' by W.W. E. Ross, prescribed in the Class 9 Haryana (BSEH) English curriculum, explores the theme of human fear versus animal harmlessness. The poem describes a beautiful green snake trying to escape from a pursuing stick. The poet urges the reader to let the snake go unharmed, emphasizing that not all snakes are poisonous. This chapter holds significant weight in board exams for testing comprehension, poetic devices, and the underlying message of empathy toward nature and animals, often featuring extract-based and short answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Pursuit and Fear
The poem opens with a snake trying to escape a pursuing stick, highlighting the sudden panic caused by human intervention.
Graceful Movement
The poet describes the snake's body as beautiful and thin, moving with sudden curvings and elegant grace through the water.
Harmlessness of Nature
The poet highlights that the snake is completely harmless even to children, challenging the common misconception that all snakes are dangerous.
Empathy and Coexistence
The central message advocates for sparing the snake's life and allowing it to safely hide among the green reeds.
Poetic Devices
The poem uses visual imagery and free verse to vividly paint the picture of the snake's escape without any strict rhyme scheme.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana (BSEH) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include comprehension extracts with multiple-choice or short questions, and short answer questions focusing on the central theme, the poet's message, and the description of the snake's movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of 'The Snake Trying'?
The central theme is empathy toward animals and the realization that humans often kill creatures out of unnecessary fear and misunderstanding.
Is the snake in the poem poisonous?
No, the poet explicitly states that even among the small green snakes, it is completely harmless to humans and children.
Where does the snake finally hide to save itself?
The snake manages to escape the chasing stick and hides among the green reeds in the water.
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