Poetry Comparison
I will be comparing The Snake by Emily Dickinson and Snake by D.H. Lawrence with respect to three figurative language devices. Both works are very intriguing and provoke much thought about human nature. The poems examine man’s fear of snakes and view of snakes as a symbol of evil.
The first figurative language device I will be comparing is personification. Both poems demonstrate extended personification throughout the text. A specific example of personification in The Snake is: “A narrow fellow in the grass”. In Snake an example would be the line: “Someone was before me at my water-trough”. Personification is used in these poems for several reasons. First of all, humans can relate to the thing given human attributes, which happens to be a snake in these poems. The device also helps us to understand snakes on a higher level by treating them as people. Lastly, personification creates emotion. For example, when the snake is killed in Snake we feel more sadness than if it were “just” a snake.
The second literary device I will comparing is symbolism. This device is perhaps the most significant in these two poems. Symbolism of snakes is used throughout both poems. A specific example of symbolism in The Snake is the title itself, as it is in Snake. The use of this symbol in these two poems has a few purposes. Essentially, this symbolism helps to provoke thought. The poets are questioning human nature, and want the reader(s) to develop their own thoughts on why human’s fear snakes. This symbolism is also a biblical allusion and allows us to relate to the poems from a religious standpoint.
The last figurative language device I will be comparing is hyperboles. A specific example of a hyperbole in The Snake is: “the grass divides as with a comb”. In Snake an example would be the hyperbole: “into the burning bowels of this earth”. While these hyperboles have no real significant purpose, they draw attention to the phrases and really describe what is occurring. They also create a distinct visual further helping the reader understand what is occurring.
Although both poems are great, I did prefer Snake by D.H. Lawrence. I find that Snake is better written and uses many figurative language devices that really grab your attention. I also find that this poem is more entertaining because it is more of a story, rather than just the poet’s thoughts as it is in The Snake. Overall, I liked both of these poems and thought they were very interesting to read.