"Snake" Response

     Theodore Roethke's descriptions of the snake in his poem, "Snake," reflect at first a sense of stillness and relaxation. Uses of words like glide, limp, still, and shade all give the poem a very lax atmosphere. In the second half of the poem, however, the energy level is heightened momentarily as the snake goes away. This transition is demonstrated in the narrator when Roethke writes, "I felt my slow blood warm." Towards the end, the author demonstrates some admiration for the snake, and says that he hopes to one day be the snake.
     This poem demonstrates some characteristics of the American Dream (which is the focus of my American Literature definition). In longing to become the snake, the author is showing his hopes to achieve a certain lifestyle. In the beginning of the poem, the snake itself is dwelling in a calm and serene atmosphere, which implies that the author wishes to achieve a life of comfort. Ideas of achievement such as this are reflected in many pieces of American literature, and connect strongly with some of the core concepts of the American Dream. As for when the snake goes away, this could perhaps reflect a desire for isolation in the author, which isn't exactly relevant to American Literature, but is nonetheless worth noting.
     As for the picture, the snake seems to be in a more prominent, proud position than in the poem. The overall energy level is higher, and the snake itself is cloaked in sunlight rather than shadow. This somewhat contradicts what is represented in the poem, but could still reflect aspects of the American Dream in a desire to achieve fame or importance, which seem to be the ideas that come across from this picture.