The Double-Headed Snake of Newbury
This poem tells the story of a snake that has two heads, one good and one evil. The good head represents virtue and morality, while the evil head represents vice and corruption. The snake's dual nature serves as a metaphor for the struggle between good and evil within human beings.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1831 · Genre: Poetry, Folklore, Fantasy · 881 words
First lines
"Concerning ye Amphisbaena, as soon as I received your commands, I made diligent inquiry: . he assures me yt it had really two heads, one at each end; two mouths, two stings or tongues. " -- REV. CHRISTOPHER TOPPAN to COTTON MATHER.
FAR away in the twilight time Of every people, in every clime, Dragons and griffins and monsters dire, Born of water, and air, and fire, Or nursed, like the Python, in the mud And ooze of the old Deucalion flood, Crawl and wriggle and foam with rage, Through dusk tradition and ballad age. So from the childhood of Newbury town And its time of fable the tale comes down Of a terror which haunted bush and brake, The Amphisbaena, the Double Snake!
What this Textopian page supports
The Double-Headed Snake of Newbury is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1831 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1831 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Folklore, Fantasy, Horror, Historical Fiction
- Length: 881 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter characteristic of poetry.
- Folklore — The narrative centers around a mythical creature and incorporates elements of local legend and tradition.
- Fantasy — The presence of a fantastical creature, the Amphisbaena, and the exploration of supernatural themes align with fantasy.
- Horror — The themes of fear, terror, and the unknown contribute to a sense of horror throughout the narrative.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Snake Symbolism · Duality · Contrast · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Allegory · Folklore