Poetry · Chapter
Snake and Its Young explained
A brief poem describing an encounter with a snake and her brood, where the mother snake appears to swallow her young to protect them from a perceived threat posed by the narrator and his dog.
What happens
A brief poem describing an encounter with a snake and her brood, where the mother snake appears to swallow her young to protect them from a perceived threat posed by the narrator and his dog.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Environment
The poem focuses on a close observation of wildlife, specifically a snake and its young, highlighting the natural behavior of the animal.
Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue
The mother snake's self-sacrificing act to protect her offspring can be interpreted as a moral lesson about maternal devotion and protection.
Characters to notice
- Dog Johnston
The narrator's dog that excitedly observes the snakes basking on a log.
Key passages
“She ope'd her mouth and at a bound, Down her throat did rush each snake.”
The mother snake opened her mouth and quickly swallowed each of her young.
Describes the surprising protective behavior of the mother snake.
“Will you believe this tale of snakes, If I did count right just four dozen.”
The narrator asks if the reader can believe this story, noting that he counted exactly forty-eight baby snakes.
Emphasizes the incredulity and precise count of the offspring.