Class 9 English - MP
Poetry: The Snake Trying
The poem 'The Snake Trying' by W.W. E. Ross, prescribed for Class 9 students under the Madhya Pradesh Board (MPBSE), explores the theme of compassion towards animals. The poem describes a snake trying to escape from a chasing stick. Through vivid imagery, the poet portrays the snake not as a harmful creature of terror, but as a graceful, beautiful animal that deserves to live. It teaches students that not all snakes are poisonous and that humans should abandon their instinctual fear and hatred to protect harmless creatures of nature. This chapter is important for board exams as it tests poetic appreciation and comprehension.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Visual Imagery
The poet uses descriptive words to paint a picture of the snake's graceful movements and its green and thin body.
Misconception About Snakes
The chapter highlights the common fear that all snakes are dangerous and venomous, which leads people to attack them.
Graceful Movement
The snake glides through the water and thin green reeds to hide, showcasing its natural elegance and survival instinct.
Theme of Compassion
The poem encourages readers to show kindness and let the harmless creature live safely instead of harming it.
Poetic Device (Free Verse)
The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a strict rhyming scheme or meter.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the MPBSE Class 9 English examination, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on the central theme, extracting stanza-based comprehension questions, and questions highlighting the poetic devices used in the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of 'The Snake Trying'?
The central theme is kindness and compassion towards animals, particularly snakes, showing that they are harmless creatures deserving of life.
Is the snake in the poem harmful?
No, the poet mentions that it is a harmless green snake that tries to escape from being hurt.
Where does the snake finally hide to save itself?
The snake hides among the green reeds in the water to escape the pursuing stick.
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