Fear In Poetry

Your outlook on life, affects every aspect in your life and two poets brought this to example. “ The Snake” by Wendell Berry and “ A narrow fellow in the grass” by Emily Dickinson relay this message, on our views on life. Whether you’re open minded or controlled by fear, these emotions set your life. Although both poets apply, both symbolism and imagery, the way they use the two is a whole different meaning. “The Snake” describes a person, walking in the month October, coming across a snake. They describe this snake as if it’s perfectly flawed and show much admiration for this beloved reptile, “ I held him a long time thinking, / of the perfection of the dark, / marking on his back, the death, / that swelled him, his living cold. (12-15). Many have a fear of snakes, however this person sees nature as beauty and was even willing to pick him up, “ Now the cold of him stays / in my hand, and I think of him, (16-17). The deeper meaning to this poem, illustrates the character as an optimism in life. They’re not going to let fear take over, they’re willing to be free, and express their emotions in life. Dickinson takes a different lead on this toll. …show more content…
The character has a strong connection with others and not having connection with this animal, threatens him, “ Several of nature’s people/ I know, and they know me;/ I feel for them a transport/ Of cordiality./ But never met this fellow,” (17-20). The deeper meaning behind not liking the snake, shows that this person isn’t really open minded and they let fear control their life. The difference between “The Snake” and “The narrow fellow in the grass” were both written about snakes symbolising life, however both had a different