"Hunting Snake" by Judith : A line-by-line explanation, summary and analysis

  "Hunting Snake" by Judith :

A line-by-line explanation, summary and analysis

Title Significance:

"Hunting Snake" suggests a focus on the encounter with a snake engaged in its natural hunting behavior. The title sets the tone for a poem that explores the awe, fear, and fascination associated with observing a snake in its environment.

 

Important Phrases:

1. "Sun-warmed in the late season's grace / under the autumn's gentlest sky": These lines establish the setting, describing a serene late-season day with the gentle backdrop of autumn.

 

2. "we walked and froze half-through a pace. / The great black snake went reeling by": The sudden encounter with the snake interrupts the leisurely walk, creating a moment of tension as the snake passes.

 

3. "Head down, tongue flickering on the trail / He quested through the parting grass": The snake's behavior is detailed, emphasizing its focused quest as it moves through the grass, with its head down and tongue flickering.

 

4. "Sun glazed his curves of diamond scale / And we lost breath to see him pass": The vivid imagery of the sun glazing the snake's diamond scales adds to the visual impact, capturing the observers' breathless reaction to its beauty.

 

5. "What track he followed, what small food / Fled living from his fierce intent": The poem briefly considers the snake's hunting purpose, acknowledging the mystery of its prey and the intensity of its focus.

 

6. "Cold, dark and splendid he was gone / Into the grass that hid his prey": The snake is described as cold, dark, and splendid, and it disappears into the grass, leaving a sense of mystery and wonder.

 

7. "We took a deeper breath of day, / Looked at each other, and went on": After the encounter, the observers take a deeper breath and continue with their day, suggesting a mixture of relief, reflection, and the resumption of normalcy.

 

Summary and Analysis:

In "Hunting Snake" by Judith Wright, the speaker describes a tranquil walk in late autumn disrupted by the sudden appearance of a great black snake. The snake, with its diamond scales glinting in the sun, moves purposefully through the grass in search of prey. The observers are captivated and breathless as they witness the snake's majestic passage. The poem briefly considers the snake's hunting intent before it disappears into the grass. After the encounter, the observers take a deeper breath, exchange glances, and continue their day.

 

The poem captures the tension, fascination, and awe associated with encountering a snake in the wild. The vivid imagery and sensory details contribute to the reader's sense of being present in the moment. The snake's swift and purposeful movement, coupled with its visual allure, creates a powerful and memorable scene.

 

Line-by-Line Explanation:

1. "Sun-warmed in the late season's grace / under the autumn's gentlest sky": The poem opens with a description of the setting—sun-warmed late-season surroundings beneath a gentle autumn sky, establishing a peaceful atmosphere.

 

2. "we walked and froze half-through a pace. / The great black snake went reeling by": The leisurely walk is abruptly interrupted as the snake, described as great and black, passes by, causing the observers to freeze in their tracks.

 

3. "Head down, tongue flickering on the trail / He quested through the parting grass": The snake's focused movement is described, with its head down and tongue flickering as it searches through the parting grass.

 

4. "Sun glazed his curves of diamond scale / And we lost breath to see him pass": The sun glazing the snake's diamond scales enhances its visual appeal, leaving the observers breathless in awe as it passes by.

 

5. "What track he followed, what small food / Fled living from his fierce intent": The poem briefly ponders the snake's hunting purpose and the mystery of its prey, acknowledging the intensity of its focus.

 

6. "Cold, dark and splendid he was gone / Into the grass that hid his prey": The snake is described as cold, dark, and splendid, disappearing into the grass, leaving a sense of mystery and wonder.

 

7. "We took a deeper breath of day, / Looked at each other, and went on": After the encounter, the observers take a deeper breath, exchange glances, and resume their walk, suggesting a mixture of relief, reflection, and the continuation of their day.