# Snake and Potato Bug explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A humorous poem about a copper-headed snake in a glass jar in an Ingersoll grocery store, with a potato bug clinging to its head to avoid drowning, illustrating a curious and gentle coexistence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Environment

The chapter focuses on a snake and a potato bug in a jar, highlighting a small, curious interaction in the natural world.

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

The poem presents a gentle moral about kindness and coexistence, as the bug clings to the snake for safety and the snake tolerates the bug.

## Character check-ins

### Shakespeare

Quoted at the beginning of the chapter: 'Can such things be and overcome us like a summer cloud, without our special wonder.'

## Key lines

> Some poets they abroad do roam, But we find themes are near to home; As we do seldom travel far, This is a song of a glass jar.

While other poets travel far for inspiration, the author finds poetic subjects close to home, like this simple scene in a glass jar.

_The poet emphasizes finding wonder in everyday local life._

> But fondly the kind hearted bug, It doth its preserver hug, For the bug when on the water It is only but a squatter.

The bug affectionately clings to the snake as its savior, since on the water it would be just a helpless drifter.

_The bug is portrayed as grateful and resourceful, using the snake as a lifeboat._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/snake-and-potato-bug
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters