Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A Narrow Fellow in the Grass pp. 2-3
Although Dickinson never identifies that she is writing about a snake in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," several literary devices indicate so. What's the significance of Dickinson's use of simple diction, syntax, and alliteration in the poem? What message do you think the poem is sending?
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In Dickinson's "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," two literary devices indicate that the poem is about a snake. The first device is simple diction. Words such as "wrinkled" and "the grass divides" are used in the poem. Snakes often coil or "wrinkle" up, and when snakes move through grass, one can often see it part where the snake is slithering along. Next, alliteration is used to portray a snake. Dickinson writes, "A spotted shaft is seen-" This alliteration implies directly that it is a snake. The message behind this poem is that snakes are very tricky yet intriguing creatures. As seen in the poem, snakes' moves are hard to predict, but humans are captivated by these animals.
Dickenson uses simple diction, syntax, and alliteration all for revealing that she is describing a snake. What makes these devices so significant is that the actual word "snake" is never used, but these literary devices make it obvious that a snake is the focus of the poem. The simple diction shows that snakes are quiet, stealthy creatures with phrases such as "occasionally rides" and "Whip lash Unbraiding in the Sun." The alliteration of the "s" sound makes a hissing noise, just like a snake. The message that the poem is sending is that humans are fascinated with snakes, yet scared of them at the same time. Dickenson is showing the relationship between humans and snakes that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden.
Dickinson's use of simple diction and syntax makes the poem's meter disjointed and awkward, like a person feels when he is around a snake. The diction brings one back to the base emotions of fear and excitement without much thought behind the reality of a snake's reaction. The alliteration Dickinson uses lightens the tone of the poem while also ironically bringing another element of fear into the passage--that is, the emotion evoked from the hissing warning of a snake. The poem sends a message of caution toward things that seem intriguing. The fearful yet fascinated attitude of the speaker is a parallel to the temptations of everyday life.
Dickinson's use of literary devices such as simple diction, syntax, and alliteration in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" reveals that the poem is about snakes, without the need of direct disclosure. Such diction is exploited with the use of words such as "narrow", "spotted shaft", and "sudden". These are characteristics of snakes and therefore render the theme evident. The chosen syntax imparts a sense of uneasiness, with short and choppy lines and the frequent use of dashes. And this, of course, is how most people feel when in the presence of snakes. The use of alliteration, particularly of the letter "s", creates a hissing sound similar to that produced by a snake. The purpose of this poem may be interpreted in different ways--one may believe it to be simply and literally about the biological snake, while another may believe it to concern something much deeper than that, such as Satan in his serpentine form or the general concept of sin.
In Emily Dickinson's "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," clearly has a main purpose of describing a snake. When reading, the syntax seems rushed and up-beat, as if it were a fast beating heart of someone who is nervous. Along with the feeling of being surrounded by a snake, the simple diction also reveals that is what she is describing. Dickinson uses the word such as "wrinkled" to describe the appearance of a snake while it is in hiding. It is sneaky and decieving. The last stanza reveals the snake in all reality. The only meeting, is before death. Dickinson's words are so powerful they seem believable.
Dickinson uses devices such as diction and alliteration in her poem "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass". Her use of words such as "ride" and wrinkled" allude to the actual transportation of a snake: slithering. There are the first hints that the main topic is a snake. The incorporation of alliteration along side diction helps to set the pace and tone of the poem. In many instances, Dickinson manipulates the syntax to form a continual "s" sound, representing the hiss of a snake. I think this poem sends the message that while
snakes are wildly fascinating, they are also sneaky and terrifying, which Dickinson alludes to humanistic behavior as well.
In Dickinson's poem "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass", there are three main devices used to indicate she is writing about a snake. Dickinson first uses simple diction. Examples of this are words such as "rides", "shaft", and "Bone". Also, Dickinson utilizes syntax and alliteration within her poem. For example, she states, "When stopping to secure it..." This inverted sentence creates the constant pronunciation of "s", therefore allowing Dickinson indicate she is talking about the hissing sound a snake makes. Ultimately, this poem is portraying everyone can be sneaky and has the ability to lie and talk behind one's back.
In Dickinson's poem, "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," he uses simple diction, syntax, and alliteration to indicate that his poem is about a snake. The alliteration is used to indicate the hissing sound a snake makes, by emphasizing the "s" sound. An example of this is "his notice sudden is." "Occassionally rides" and "attended or alone" are examples of the simple diction he uses. This simple diction is significant because it emphasizes that snakes are sneaky and quiet. They move in a silent manner and will creep up on a person. The syntax does the same by indirectly implying elements of snakes. The message the poem is sending is that snakes are very sneaky just like humans. Humans act like snakes in a way. They will lie and be two-faced and sneaky to get their way.
First, I would like to point out to Mary Caitlin that Emily Dickinson is a woman, not a man. Secondly, Dickinson uses alliteration in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" to show the readers that she is talking about a snake. The alliteration in the poem makes a hissing sound similarily to what a snake makes. This use of alliteration hints at the point that Dickinson is trying to make here. The main point that Dickinson is trying to reveal to the readers is that humans, like snakes, are very mysterious and can be there without a person knowing. People can be two-faced towards a person without them even realizing it.
In Dickinson's poem, "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" alliteration is used the most to hint at a snake, using hissing noises and habits of a snake. The main point Dickinson is trying to make it a parallel of snakes and people, by how people can be creepy and sneaky and decietful. Some people will tell you one thing to your face, then tell something completely different behind there back.
With Dickinson never mentioning the poem is about a snake, her use of diction and alliteration reveal that the poemis indeed about the magnificent snake. The words she uses throughout the poem are the same as the characteristics as a snake. Also, her alliteraions give off a sneaky and creepy feel to the poem, and as everyone knoews, snakes are extremely creepy and eerie. This poem is sending the message that while snakes may be creative and majestic creatures, they are still sneaky, dangerous, and not to be trusted.
The doesn't seem to be much left to say. The simple dictions, syntax, and alliterationsn all have been described very well and professionally, so I'll just add a bit more. The main use of syntax was the words "The Grass divides as with a Comb." Because of the way a snakes moves, even though she never mentioned that this hint was as and, she is describing perfectly the actions of ansnake. As a snake moves, its head is out in front working it's way through the grass and splitting it for the rest of it's "spotted shaft," which is yet another description of a snake. Her use of alliteration here is also good. Every letter or letters that sounded like "s" gave off a small hissing sound. This is also what snake do and the alliteration just furthers the fact that she is talking about a snake. The poem is trying to get across that even with all the experience and amazing discoveries we have with these creatures, we will never fully "grasp" the full extent of these wild animals.
Dickensons use of alliteration in "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" reveals that she is referring to a snake. By repeating the "s" sound in consecutive words she makes the connection to a snake and its well-known hissing sound. By comparing men to a snake in the grass Dickenson shows that not everyone is worthy of ones trust. She shows that seemingly friendly people on the outside can actually be a slithery slimy snake on the inside.
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