Class 9 English - KARNATAKA
Poetry: The Snake Trying
The poem 'The Snake Trying' by W.W. E. Ross, prescribed for Class 9 Karnataka State Board (KSEEB) students, explores the theme of harmlessness and the cruelty of human perception. The poem describes a green snake attempting to escape from someone pursuing it with a stick. As the snake glides gracefully through the water and green reeds to hide, the poet highlights its beauty and reminds us that not all snakes are poisonous or harmful. For board exams, this chapter is important for testing comprehension, figures of speech, and central theme-based questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Coexistence
The poem promotes the idea of peaceful coexistence with nature, showing that animals like snakes only act out of self-defense.
Visual Imagery
The poet uses vivid descriptions like 'thin long body' and 'green reeds' to help the reader visualize the snake's graceful movements.
Human Apathy vs. Animal Vulnerability
It highlights how humans immediately try to kill snakes out of fear, while the snake is merely helpless and trying to save its life.
Poetic Device: Free Verse
The poem is written in free verse, lacking a fixed rhyme scheme or meter, which gives it a natural, flowing narrative quality.
Metaphor and Simile
The poet compares the snake's graceful curve to sudden forest shapes, emphasizing its natural integration into the environment.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Karnataka (KSEEB) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries about 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include 1-mark reference-to-context questions, 2-mark short descriptive questions about why the snake is trying to escape, and 3-mark questions on the central theme of the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the snake trying to escape in the poem?
The snake is trying to escape because someone is chasing it with a stick to kill it.
Is the snake harmful according to the poet?
No, the poet points out that the snake is harmless even to children and is merely seeking safety in the water.
What is the message of the poem 'The Snake Trying'?
The poem teaches us not to harm animals out of blind fear and encourages us to appreciate the beauty of nature.
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