Class 9 English - MAHARASHTRA
Poetry: The Snake Trying
The chapter 'Poetry: The Snake Trying' by W.W. E. Ross is a fascinating poem prescribed for Class 9 Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) students. It revolves around a harmless green snake trying to escape from a pursuing stick. The poem challenges the common misconception that all snakes are venomous and dangerous, urging readers to appreciate nature and practice compassion towards animals. For board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing comprehension, poetic devices, and critical thinking. Students must understand the central theme of harmlessness, visual imagery, and the poet's message of coexistence with nature.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Harmlessness
The poem highlights that not all snakes are poisonous; even a venomous snake like the green adder is harmless to humans if left undisturbed.
Visual and Kinetic Imagery
The poet uses vivid descriptions like 'sudden curvings of thin long body' and 'gliding through the water' to create strong mental pictures of the snake's movement.
Human Cruelty vs. Animal Instinct
It contrasts the aggressive human tendency to harm animals with the helpless, defensive escape mechanism of the pursued snake.
Poetic Device: Free Verse
The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter, giving it a natural, flowing rhythm.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 9 English paper, questions from this poem typically carry around 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include textual comprehension, appreciation of poetic devices, extracting lines for reference to context (RTC), and open-ended questions about the theme of animal cruelty and conservation.
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 or harm it.
Is the snake poisonous according to the poet?
No, the poet points out that even the small green-colored snake is completely harmless to humans.
What is the message of the poem 'The Snake Trying'?
The main message is that we should not fear or harm animals blindly, as most creatures only attack in self-defense and deserve to live peacefully.
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