D.H. Lawrence, “The Snake”

The “Snake” by D.H. Lawrence is both a private and public poem which explores his personal versus societal ideas. Superficially, the poem presents a natural scene near a water trough where a snake drinks slowly and silently. The snake has arrived at the water-trough before the poet who observes the snake as he waits to approach the water with his pitcher. However, the poem is truly about how the poet feels toward homosexuality; although he has learned from society that such a matter is wrong, he wants to accept the community without feeling anger. Through the events in this poem, I believe that Lawrence describes his own evolution of thoughts toward homosexuality.

Initially, the poet merely observes the snake without describing any personal thoughts. He sees the scenario as any other person may and describes the obvious physicality and actions of the snake; however he often notes the snake’s origin of darkness. In society, the snake is seen as a symbol of evil which carries from what we learn of stories in The Bible. Lawrence takes this idea of learned evil and compares it to his initial response to homosexuality. Before truly thinking about accepting the matter, he denounces homosexuality as all others do. In fact, he denounces such ideas without allowing his mind to wander. He forms no personal opinions on the matter, and he merely acknowledges that homosexuality exits with sinful connotations. Lawrence describes, the snake, as he does the idea of homosexuality, as coming from “the burning bowels of the earth.”

The next stage in the poem presents Lawrence’s inner conflict between his personal thoughts about the snake versus what the “inner voices” believe. He confesses how he likes the snake and how he is glad it has visited him. He also describes the snake as “peaceful [and] pacified” and feels sorry the snake must “put his head into that dreadful hole.” These lines represent his sorrow for the homosexual community who often feel they must live in shame although they do nothing to harm society. On the other hand, he ponders whether or not he is a coward for not wanting to kill the snake. As his unsure thoughts build, he decides to throw a log at the snake. This part of the poem represents how society overtakes him and his thoughts. At this point, although he wanted to accept the snake, as he does homosexuals, his “voice of education” causes him to act in an angered way.

Once Lawrence throws the log at the snake, he feels upset with himself as he does with his denouncement of homosexuality. In fact, he calls his actions “vulgar,” and “mean.” Furthermore, he states, “I despised myself and the voices of my accursed human education.” These lines represent how he is upset with himself for not accepting the snake and homosexuality as natural and beautiful. Also, Lawrence is angry at society for forcing homosexuals into a world of darkness among most people’s views.