Snakes and Pigeons Poetry comparision

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Nikita Patel 9th February 2011

“Compare and contrast DH Lawrence and Richard Kell’s treatment of their subject in their poems Snake and Pigeons. Take into account all aspects of presentation.”

Snake and Pigeons are both poems with the same theme as animals but both poets portray their subject in a different way. Kell seems very fond of pigeons but Lawrence is not to sure weather he likes or dislikes the snake.

In the poem ‘Snake’ the format of the poem is laid out in a very unique way. The stanzas do not have the same number lines. Its is almost long and flowing like a snake which gives you the effect of that you can imagine the snake being really long and flowing around the stanza. Also the poem is a narrative poem, it is telling story, so you are intrigued and it makes you read along.

In the first stanza there is enjambment “A snake came to my water trough On a hot, hot day, and I in pyjamas for the heat, To drink there.”, the enjambment creates the effect that a snake gives, it flows from the first two lines. Also the snake is like an intruder to his water trough. So at the moment Lawrence doesn’t like the snake.

 In the poem snake, “…On a hot, hot day …” sets the scene of where this is happening, the country is very hot.

In the second stanza, there are a lot of ‘s’ sounds and they carry through the stanzas like a snake and thy also tell you about the snake, “… slackness soft-bellied…”, you can imagine the snakes belly, “slackness” makes the snake seem effortless and “soft-bellied” gives the effect of imagery, as you can almost imagine yourself touching the snakes belly.

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Lawrence writes like the snake is a guest, “Someone was before me at my water-trough, And I like a second comer, waiting”, he personifies the snake almost like a human being. As he has to wait for his water, the snake has a hierarchy over him.

Again Lawrence reminds us that the snake is a guest, “…That he should seek my hospitality.”, It is like the snake has been given an invitation.

Lawrence he sets the tone and mood of the whole poem well, “…and I in pyjamas for the heat.", he describes  his surroundings in a way ...

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