Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Bestiary U.S.A.: Snake," Anne Sexton delves into the symbolic nature of the snake, intertwining themes of temptation, sexuality, and the shared, often fraught, experiences between men and women. The poem is layered with biblical references, particularly the allusion to Eve's snake, and it explores the complexities of human desire and the tension between societal norms and primal instincts.

Sexton begins with a vivid and unsettling description of the snake: "Made of old rags of tongues, / of flesh slipped through the abortionist's knife." This imagery evokes a sense of the snake being a patchwork of discarded or unwanted elements, something pieced together from the remnants of life. The reference to "flesh slipped through the abortionist's knife" introduces a theme of loss or rejection, perhaps hinting at the snake as a symbol of what is suppressed or cast out by society. The snake, in this sense, becomes a representation of what is taboo, unwanted, or feared, yet it persists, moving "cleverly" through both the grass and the tree—domains that signify the earth and the heavens, respectively.

The question "What can I make of you with my halting footsteps?" suggests the speaker's ambivalence or uncertainty about how to approach or understand the snake. The "halting footsteps" indicate hesitation or caution, a recognition of the snake's potential danger or the taboo it represents. This hesitation could also reflect the speaker's own internal conflict or fear of engaging with the darker, more primal aspects of herself or of human nature.

The poem then shifts to a more personal and intimate tone with the lines, "Do we go together? / Only by way of Eve's snake / whom I've held up to my man." Here, Sexton directly references the biblical story of Eve and the serpent, a narrative that has long been associated with the themes of temptation, sin, and the fall of humankind. By invoking Eve's snake, the speaker acknowledges the historical and cultural weight of this symbol, particularly in relation to women's roles and the concept of original sin. The act of holding the snake up to her man suggests a complicity or shared responsibility in the transgression, as well as a subversion of the traditional narrative in which Eve alone is often blamed for the fall.

The poem's closing lines, "Let us put him to some use, / let us swallow this snake like a cigar / and allow all our body hair to turn green / with envy," are both provocative and enigmatic. The idea of putting the snake "to some use" suggests a desire to harness or repurpose the snake's power—its cunning, its associations with knowledge and forbidden desire—for their own ends. Swallowing the snake "like a cigar" introduces a phallic image, merging the act of consumption with an overtly masculine symbol. This act could represent a desire to internalize the snake's qualities, to take on its power and defy the constraints of societal expectations.

The final image of body hair turning "green with envy" is rich with symbolism. Green is traditionally associated with envy, but it is also the color of growth, nature, and renewal. The transformation of body hair into something green suggests a kind of metamorphosis or awakening, a reclamation of the natural, primal self that has been repressed or denied. The envy mentioned here could be directed at those who are free to express their desires and instincts without fear of judgment or punishment, or it could reflect a longing for the freedom to fully embrace one's own nature.

"Bestiary U.S.A.: Snake" is a complex and evocative poem that uses the figure of the snake to explore deep-seated themes of temptation, desire, and the tension between societal expectations and individual instincts. Through her rich imagery and symbolic language, Sexton invites readers to confront the parts of themselves that are often hidden or suppressed, and to consider how these aspects might be understood, accepted, or even celebrated in the context of their own lives.

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