Emily Dickinson’s poem "A narrow Fellow in the Grass" is a vivid portrayal of an encounter with a snake, representing nature’s mysterious and sometimes unsettling aspects. The poem explores themes of fear, fascination, and the tension between humans and the natural world.
Poem: "A narrow Fellow in the Grass"
A narrow Fellow in the Grass
Occasionally rides –
You may have met him? Did you not
His notice instant is –
The Grass divides as with a Comb,
A spotted Shaft is seen,
And then it closes at your Feet
And opens further on –
He likes a Boggy Acre –
A Floor too cool for Corn –
But when a Boy and Barefoot
I more than once at Noon
Have passed I thought a Whip Lash
Unbraiding in the Sun
When stooping to secure it
It wrinkled And was gone –
Several of Nature’s People
I know, and they know me
I feel for them a transport
Of Cordiality
But never met this Fellow
Attended or alone
Without a tighter Breathing
And Zero at the Bone.
Summary of "A narrow Fellow in the Grass"
The poem "A narrow Fellow in the Grass" by Emily Dickinson describes an encounter with a snake, referred to as a "narrow Fellow." The speaker recalls the moments when the snake glides through the grass, likening the movement to a comb parting the grass blades. The snake’s presence brings about a mixture of curiosity and fear in the speaker, reflecting a deeper connection with nature’s wild and unpredictable elements. The speaker’s reaction to the snake, marked by "a tighter Breathing" and a "Zero at the Bone," underscores the chilling effect this encounter has on the human psyche.
Critical Analysis of "A narrow Fellow in the Grass"
- Imagery: Dickinson uses sharp and clear imagery to depict the snake, focusing on its movement through the grass and the sensations it evokes in the observer. The snake’s movement is described with vivid detail, such as the grass parting "as with a Comb" and the comparison to a "Whip Lash" unbraiding in the sun.
- Tone: The tone of the poem is tense and cautious. The speaker’s careful observation of the snake and the final revelation of fear demonstrate a deep respect and wariness for this creature.
- Symbolism: The snake serves as a symbol of nature’s untamed and sometimes threatening aspects. It embodies the unknown and the fear that can arise when humans confront the wild elements of the natural world.
Themes in "A narrow Fellow in the Grass"
- Nature’s Ambiguity: The poem explores the ambiguous relationship between humans and nature, highlighting both the fascination and fear that wild creatures can inspire.
- Fear and Fascination: The poem captures the dual emotions of fear and fascination that the snake evokes in the speaker, emphasizing the complex and often contradictory feelings humans have toward nature.
- Human and Nature Connection: Dickinson suggests a connection between the speaker and the natural world, yet this connection is tinged with an awareness of nature’s unpredictability and danger.
Literary Devices in "A narrow Fellow in the Grass"
- Imagery: The poem is rich with visual imagery, such as the "spotted Shaft" of the snake and the "Boggy Acre" it prefers.
- Simile: The comparison of the snake to a "Whip Lash" unbraiding in the sun adds to the tension and sense of danger in the poem.
- Personification: The snake is personified as a "Fellow," which adds a layer of familiarity and yet a sense of unease, as the speaker cannot fully understand or control this figure in nature.
Stylistic Analysis of "A narrow Fellow in the Grass"
- Form: The poem’s form is simple yet effective, with short lines that mimic the swift, sudden movements of the snake.
- Language: Dickinson’s language is precise and evocative, capturing the immediacy of the speaker’s experience with the snake. The choice of words like "narrow," "rides," and "Zero at the Bone" contributes to the poem’s intense atmosphere.
- Structure: The poem’s structure, with its deliberate pacing and unfolding revelation of fear, mirrors the gradual realization of the snake’s presence and the speaker’s growing discomfort.