“The Snake” by Stephen Crane: Man’s Eternal Foe

Man is at war with the natural world but has also friends. Stephan Crane’s story The Snake shows an enemy the snake and a friend the dog. 

Outlines:
A-Introduction: “The Snake”

Man is at war with the natural world but has also friends. Stephan Crane’s poem The Snake shows an enemy the snake and a friend the dog. 

Thesis Statement: In fact, Stephen Crane explores man’s relation with enteral foe, his eternal fear and eternal friendship with the dog.

Instructions about How to Start, Introduction:
  • Begin with a compelling introduction: The poem by Stephen Crane, which sets the stage for exploring the complex relationship between man and the natural world.
  • Provide a brief summary of the story, highlighting the central characters— the snake as an adversary and the dog as a companion, emphasizing their contrasting roles in the narrative.
  • Introduce the thesis statement that encapsulates the core theme of the analysis: “In fact, it explores man’s relationship with an eternal foe, delving into his perpetual fear and enduring friendship with the dog.”
  • Ensure clarity and coherence in expressing the main idea, making it evident that the analysis will focus on the exploration of man’s intricate connection with both the snake as an enemy and the dog as a friend.
  • Use concise language and maintain a formal tone throughout the introduction, providing a roadmap for the reader to understand the forthcoming examination of the nuanced dynamics presented in Crane’s story.
B-Body: “The Snake”
  • Body Paragraph-1

It is not only a foe, but also a metaphor of evil deeds. The story has Biblical interpretation and it illustrates this very well.

  • Body Paragraph-2

This enteral enmity has filled eternal fear in both the creatures. It shows that “The man and the snake confronted each other” (2) and both have only “hatred and fear” (2) in their eyes.

  • Body Paragraph-3

This is also a natural concept of friendship or man’s friend with do throws a contrast on it. Loyalty of dog has put it in awkward position.

Instructions for B-Body
  • Body Paragraph-1:
    • Emphasize that it is not merely a physical adversary but serves as a metaphor for evil deeds, drawing parallels with biblical interpretations. Discuss how snake in the poem is a symbol representing more than a mere creature; it embodies deeper, metaphorical implications.
  • Body Paragraph-2:
    • Examine the perpetual enmity between man and snake, highlighting the eternal fear that this relationship instills in both parties. Quote a key passage from the story, such as “The man and the snake confronted each other” (2), and explore how this confrontation is characterized by mutual “hatred and fear” (2), shedding light on the profound emotions evoked in this encounter.
  • Body Paragraph-3:
    • Explore the natural concept of friendship presented in the story, particularly the loyalty exhibited by the dog. Draw a clear contrast between the loyalty of the dog and the awkward position in which it places snake. Analyze how the dynamic of friendship between man and dog influences the perception of snake, creating a layered narrative that delves into the complexities of relationships in “The Snake.”
C-Conclusion

The story has biblical interpretations in that it has both enteral friend as well as eternal enemy of human being which are the snake and the dog. It shows danger while dog shows loyalty and love.

Instructions for Writing Conclusion
  • Summarize the overarching theme of the story, highlighting its biblical interpretations that depict both eternal friendship and eternal enmity in the form of the snake and the dog.
  • Reiterate the symbolic significance of the snake as a representation of danger and the dog as a symbol of loyalty and love.
  • Emphasize how Stephen Crane skillfully weaves these elements into the narrative, creating a story that not only explores the complexities of human-animal relationships but also carries profound allegorical undertones.
Works Cited:
  1. Crane, Stephen. The Snake. 2000. 04 February 2014 <http://www.online-literature.com/crane/2557/>.
  2. Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species. New York: The Bantam, 1999.
Three Relevant Questions about
  1. How does the snake in Stephen Crane’s “The Snake” serve as a metaphor for deeper, symbolic meanings, particularly in the context of biblical interpretations?
  2. What emotions and dynamics are portrayed in the confrontation between the man and the snake, as expressed through the narrative’s description of their mutual “hatred and fear”? How does this confrontation contribute to the overall theme of eternal enmity in the story?
  3. In what ways does the contrast between the loyalty and love exhibited by the dog and the danger symbolized by the snake contribute to the narrative’s exploration of the dualities in human-animal relationships?

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