Class 9 English - UP
Poetry: The Snake Trying
The chapter 'Poetry: The Snake Trying' by W.W. E. Ross, prescribed in the Class 9 English curriculum for UPMSP students, explores the theme of harmlessness and human cruelty toward animals. The poem describes a beautiful green snake trying to escape from a man pursuing it with a stick. Through vivid imagery, the poet portrays the snake not as a dangerous creature, but as a graceful, defenseless victim of unwarranted fear. This poem teaches students empathy and critical thinking about nature. For board exams, questions usually test comprehension of poetic devices, central themes, and character attitudes.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Coexistence
The poem highlights that not all snakes are poisonous and harmful, urging humans to live peacefully with nature.
Poetic Imagery
Visual descriptions like 'gliding through the water' and 'small and green' create clear mental pictures of the snake's graceful movement.
Irony of Human Fear
It highlights the irony that humans panic and attack creatures that are actually trying to hide and protect themselves.
Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds used by the poet to enhance the musical quality and flow of the verses.
Free Verse Structure
The poem is written in free verse, lacking a fixed rhyme scheme or meter, which gives it a natural, conversational tone.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) Class 9 English board examinations, poetry chapters typically carry around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include reference to context (stanza-based questions), short answer questions about the central idea, and questions identifying poetic devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the snake in the poem poisonous?
No, the poet mentions that it is a small, green, and harmless snake that tries to escape rather than attack.
Why is the snake trying to escape?
The snake is trying to escape because a person is chasing it with a stick to kill or harm it.
What is the central message of the poem 'The Snake Trying'?
The central message is that we should not harm animals out of blind fear, as many creatures are harmless and deserve to live safely in nature.
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