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;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.
And when a boy and barefoot
I more than once at noon;I pass, 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”
“A Narrow Fellow in the Grass” is a compelling poem by Emily Dickinson, written around 1867 and first published posthumously in 1890. It depicts an unsettling encounter with a snake, exploring the complex relationship between humanity and nature. The poem is not merely about seeing a snake; it is about how that sighting shatters the speaker’s comfortable connection with the natural world.
The central idea is an unsettling moment when the speaker notices a snake moving across the grass. The poem’s vivid description—comparing the snake’s movement to a whip and to a comb parting the grass—creates a sense of curiosity and apprehension. While the speaker expresses a fondness for “Nature’s People,” this particular creature elicits a different reaction, highlighted in the lines “without a tighter breathing and zero at the bone.” The poem shows that even in nature’s beauty, danger and the unknown can provoke a visceral, instinctive response.
Analysis of the Literary Devices Used in “A Narrow Fellow in the Grass”
Emily Dickinson’s masterful use of literary devices elevates the poem from simple observation to a complex exploration of perception and emotion. These techniques are essential to the poem’s meaning and impact.
Assonance and Consonance
Dickinson subtly employs sound devices to create musicality that enhances rhythm and mood. Assonance—the repetition of vowel sounds—is found in “A floor too cool for corn,” where the repeated “oo” sound evokes a languorous, damp environment favored by the snake. Consonance appears in “I know and they know me,” where the repeated “n” links the speaker to the natural world, reinforcing thematic unity.
Enjambment
Enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause—is a prominent feature. In the final stanza, the lack of punctuation at the end of the first three lines creates a rising tension that mirrors the speaker’s anxiety. The abrupt line break before “and zero at the bone” delivers a chilling conclusion.
Metaphor and Simile
Dickinson’s figurative language effectively conveys the snake’s elusive nature. The line “I pass, I thought a whip lash, unbraiding in the sun” functions as a simile, comparing the snake’s movement to a whip. This comparison initially misleads the speaker, highlighting the creature’s deceptive ability to blend into its surroundings. The subsequent realization of the snake’s true identity deepens the sense of unease.
Personification
Although the poem rarely attributes human qualities directly, it gives the snake a sense of intention. Lines such as “He likes a boggy acre” suggest preference and purpose. This personification is not literal; it reflects the speaker’s attempt to understand the creature through a human lens, adding an unsettling layer to the poem.
Rhetorical Question
The opening lines—“You may have met him, did you not”—present a rhetorical question. It invites readers to reflect on their own encounters with nature and on the fleeting, often unacknowledged presence of creatures like the snake, drawing the audience into the poem’s contemplative atmosphere.
Analysis of the Poetic Devices Used in “A Narrow Fellow in the Grass”
Beyond literary devices, Dickinson’s poem employs specific poetic techniques to create its unique effect.
Free Verse and Form
While the poem is structured in quatrains, it follows no strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern, giving it a free verse quality. The irregular meter allows the focus to remain on imagery and emotional impact, creating a natural rhythm that mirrors the poem’s observational tone.
Quatrains and Stanza Structure
Each stanza consists of four lines—quatrains—providing a steady framework. The lack of rhyme creates spaciousness, allowing imagery to breathe and the reader to absorb each observation fully.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Dickinson’s poem is rich in visual, tactile, and auditory imagery. Phrases like “grass divides as with a comb” and “spotted shaft” create vivid pictures, while the sensation of cool, damp earth immerses the reader in the scene.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines beautifully capture the speaker’s connection to nature:
Several of Nature’s people
I know and they know me;
I feel for them a transport
Of cordiality.
These lines express a deep reverence and affection for the natural world, a feeling that contrasts with the speaker’s fear of the snake, creating a compelling tension central to the poem’s meaning.
“A Narrow Fellow in the Grass” remains a masterful example of Dickinson’s poetic skill. Through vivid imagery, subtle use of literary and poetic devices, and exploration of complex emotions, the poem continues to resonate with readers today, inviting reflection on our own relationship with nature and the mysteries it holds.