Important Questions Chapter 20 Poem English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

Snake

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who is the poet of the poem Snake?

• The poet of the poem Snake is D.H. Lawrence.

2. Where did the poet see the snake?

• The poet saw the snake at his water-trough near a carob tree.

3. Why did the poet wait to fetch water?

• The poet waited because the snake was drinking water at the trough.

4. How did the snake drink water?

• The snake sipped the water silently through its straight mouth.

5. What is the color of the snake described in the poem?

• The snake is described as yellow-brown, resembling earth tones.

6. What time of the day is mentioned in the poem?

• It was a hot afternoon in July, referred to as Sicilian July.

7. What belief about snakes is mentioned in Sicily?

• In Sicily, it is believed that golden snakes are venomous and should be killed.

8. What does the poet feel about the snake being his guest?

• The poet feels honored to host the snake at his water-trough.

9. What was the poet’s reaction after the snake left?

• The poet regretted throwing the log at the snake and felt ashamed.

10. Why did the poet compare the snake to a king?

• The poet compared the snake to a king in exile, majestic and unrecognized.

11. What does the poet mean by the ‘voice of education’?

• The ‘voice of education’ refers to societal teachings urging the poet to kill the snake.

12. How does the snake depart after drinking water?

• The snake slowly and dreamily climbs back into a hole in the earth-wall.

13. What did the poet throw at the snake?

• The poet threw a clumsy log at the snake out of impulse.

14. How does the poet describe the snake’s movement?

• The poet describes the snake’s movement as slow, deliberate, and graceful.

15. What does the poet regret after hitting the snake?

• The poet regrets his petty and mean act of throwing the log.

16. What imagery does the poet use for the snake’s retreat?

• The poet uses imagery of the snake entering a “black hole” symbolizing mystery and fear.

17. Why does the poet call the snake a lord of life?

• The poet calls the snake a lord of life for its majestic and primal presence.

18. What does the poet compare the snake’s tongue to?

• The poet compares the snake’s flickering tongue to a “forked lightning.”

19. What lesson does the poet learn from the snake?

• The poet learns to respect nature and regret human arrogance toward creatures.

20. What is the poet’s final wish regarding the snake?

• The poet wishes the snake would return so he could honor it properly.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. Why does the poet feel honored by the snake’s presence?

• The poet feels honored because the snake chose his water-trough to drink peacefully. He sees this as a sign of trust and respect from the creature. The moment connects him deeply with nature.

2. What inner conflict does the poet experience?

• The poet struggles between societal teachings urging him to kill the snake and his admiration for its beauty. His education labels the snake as dangerous, but his instincts respect its majesty. This conflict drives the poem’s emotional depth.

3. How does the poet describe the setting in the poem?

• The setting is a hot afternoon under a carob tree near the poet’s water-trough. The atmosphere is still, with a snake emerging from the earth to drink. This imagery creates a mystical and serene mood.

4. What qualities of the snake impressed the poet?

• The snake’s slow, deliberate movements and its calm demeanor impressed the poet. Its majestic, unhurried presence felt regal and dignified. The poet admired its quiet and peaceful nature.

5. Why does the poet throw a log at the snake?

• The poet throws a log at the snake out of fear and societal pressure to act against it. However, he immediately regrets this impulsive action. His guilt reflects his struggle against ingrained teachings.

6. What does the poet mean by calling the snake ‘a king in exile’?

• The poet calls the snake ‘a king in exile’ because it appeared majestic and regal but was forced to retreat. It symbolizes a noble being rejected by the world. This metaphor elevates the snake’s importance in the poem.

7. Why does the poet regret his act of throwing the log?

• The poet regrets throwing the log because he feels it was a mean and cowardly act. He realizes the snake deserved respect and peace. This regret reflects his respect for the snake as a majestic creature.

8. How does the snake behave while drinking water?

• The snake drinks water silently and gracefully, resting its throat on the stone trough. It sips the water calmly without causing any disturbance. Its behavior highlights its unthreatening and majestic presence.

9. What role does fear play in the poet’s actions?

• Fear compels the poet to consider harming the snake, as taught by society. However, he also feels awe and admiration for it. This fear, mixed with respect, defines his inner conflict.

10. What does the poet mean by ‘voice of my accursed education’?

• The poet refers to societal teachings that conditioned him to see snakes as dangerous. These teachings made him act against his instincts of admiration. He blames this “education” for his regretful actions.

11. Why does the poet call the snake a guest?

• The poet calls the snake a guest because it came to his water-trough without harm or disturbance. Its quiet presence evoked a sense of hospitality in the poet. This reflects his humility and respect for nature.

12. How does the poet connect the snake to nature?

• The poet describes the snake as “earth-brown” and emerging from the “bowels of the earth.” These descriptions emphasize the snake’s connection to primal, natural forces. It represents the beauty and mystery of nature.

13. Why does the poet compare the snake to the albatross?

• The poet compares the snake to the albatross from The Ancient Mariner to symbolize regret. Like the albatross, the snake represents a noble being harmed by human pettiness. This comparison deepens the theme of guilt.

14. What does the poet learn about human arrogance?

• The poet learns that human arrogance leads to unnecessary harm to nature. His regret for attacking the snake reflects this realization. It highlights the need for respect toward all creatures.

15. What does the snake symbolize in the poem?

• The snake symbolizes nature, primal instincts, and majesty. It also represents the conflict between societal teachings and individual respect for life. The poet’s regret elevates the snake’s symbolic importance.

Long Questions with Answers

1. What is the significance of the snake’s slow movements in the poem?

• The snake’s slow movements represent calmness, grace, and its unhurried connection to nature. It drinks water and retreats into the earth with deliberate elegance. These actions highlight its primal dignity. The poet admires this behavior, contrasting it with human haste and impulsiveness.

2. How does the poet portray the duality of education and instinct?

• The poet shows that education teaches fear and prejudice, urging him to kill the snake. Instinct, however, inspires admiration for the snake’s beauty and peacefulness. This conflict reflects humanity’s struggle between learned behavior and natural feelings. The poet ultimately regrets following the voice of education.

3. Why does the poet feel guilty after throwing the log?

• The poet feels guilty because throwing the log was an impulsive act influenced by fear and societal norms. He recognizes it as petty and unnecessary, showing disrespect to the majestic snake. His regret reflects his awareness of human flaws in dealing with nature. This moment marks his moral and emotional transformation.

4. How does the poet use imagery to describe the snake?

• The poet uses vivid imagery like “yellow-brown slackness” and “flickered tongue like forked lightning” to describe the snake. These phrases evoke the snake’s beauty and primal power. The imagery creates an atmosphere of reverence and mystery. It elevates the snake from a creature to a symbol of nature’s majesty.

5. What is the significance of the phrase ‘burning bowels of the earth’?

• The phrase connects the snake to its origins, emphasizing its primal and elemental nature. It suggests that the snake is a creature of the earth, embodying natural forces. This description gives the snake a mystical quality. It aligns with the poet’s admiration for its majestic simplicity.

6. How does the poet reflect on his act of throwing the log?

• The poet reflects on his act as a moment of pettiness and cowardice. He despises himself for succumbing to fear and societal pressure. His regret highlights his deep respect for the snake’s dignity. This self-awareness reveals his realization of human arrogance toward nature.

7. What message does the poet convey about nature and humanity?

• The poet conveys that humanity often disrupts nature due to arrogance and fear. Through his regret for harming the snake, he emphasizes the importance of coexistence and respect. The snake symbolizes primal life, deserving admiration. The poem critiques societal norms that encourage harm to innocent creatures.

8. Why does the poet call the snake a ‘lord of life’?

• The poet calls the snake a ‘lord of life’ for its connection to primal nature and majestic presence. It symbolizes strength, grace, and dignity, contrasting with human flaws. This title reflects the poet’s reverence for the snake as a superior being. It signifies the poet’s recognition of the snake’s rightful place in nature.