Class 9 English - RAJASTHAN

Poetry: The Snake Trying

The chapter 'Poetry: The Snake Trying' by W.W. E. Ross in the Class 9 Rajasthan Board (RBSE) English syllabus explores the theme of harmlessness and human cruelty toward animals. 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. For board exams, this chapter matters because it tests students' comprehension of poetic devices, empathy toward nature, and the ability to answer extract-based and short-answer questions effectively.

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Key Concepts

Theme of Coexistence

The poem highlights the need for humans to peacefully coexist with all creatures, even those traditionally feared like snakes.

Harmlessness of the Snake

The poet emphasizes that the chased green snake is completely harmless to humans and is only trying to save its life.

Poetic Imagery

Visual and kinetic imagery are used effectively to describe the graceful, sudden curvings and thin long shape of the fleeing snake.

Human Cruelty and Fear

It reflects human tendency to attack or kill animals instantly out of blind fear rather than understanding their true nature.

Important Formulas

Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of nearby words (e.g., 'graceful and sudden').
Transferred Epithet: A figure of speech where an epithet or adjective is grammatically connected to a word other than the one it logically modifies.
Free Verse: Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter, matching the natural movement of the snake in this poem.

Board Exam Info

In the Rajasthan Board (RBSE) Class 9 English examination, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 4 marks. Questions usually include reference to context (extract-based multiple-choice or short answer questions), short-answer questions testing the central theme, and values-based questions about cruelty to animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the central idea of the poem 'The Snake Trying'?

The central idea is that not all snakes are harmful, and humans should stop killing them out of fear and irrational prejudice.

Where does the snake hide itself to escape?

The snake hides among the green reeds in the water to escape from the person pursuing it with a stick.

Is the snake poisonous according to the poet?

No, the poet specifically mentions that even in the sands, the snake is harmless and poses no danger to humans.

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