A Snake by Emily Dickinson (1890)

Name: A Snake
Author: Emily Dickinson

The poem explores the idea of a snake's ability to shed its skin and be reborn, symbolizing transformation and renewal. The speaker reflects on the snake's cyclical nature, noting that it sheds its old self to reveal a new one beneath. This process is seen as a metaphor for human life, where individuals must let go of their past selves in order to grow and change.

By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Symbolism · 70 words

First lines

A SNAKE.

Sweet is the swamp with its secrets, / Until we meet a snake; / 'T is then we sigh for houses, / And our departure take / At that enthralling gallop / That only childhood knows.

A snake is summer's treason, / And guile is where it goes.

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A Snake is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1890 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Emily Dickinson
Date: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Nature, Symbolism, Childhood, Psychological
Length: 70 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs

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Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
Nature — The poem explores themes related to nature, specifically the swamp and the snake.
Symbolism — The snake serves as a symbol for treason and guile, adding a layer of symbolic meaning.
Childhood — The poem references childhood experiences and reactions, particularly in the context of encountering a snake.