Reflection on John Steinbeck's The Snake

Medusa's transformation into monster becomes a metaphor for the power of jealousy to corrupt. The theme of jealousy is shown in the rule of three on the first line: 'a suspicion, a doubt, a jealousy'. The rule of three evokes a growing tension and the fact that the word ‘jealousy’ is placed at the end of the line suggests that it is the strongest emotion she is feeling. She says later it was 'as though' her thoughts 'hissed and spat on her scalp.' .The reader can infer that her thoughts sound like a snake hissing which gives the impression that they are angry and dangerous.

An example of this can be seen in Bertha Mason, who becomes a monster due to her overpowering sexual nature. Elaine Showalter addresses these legends in her book, A Literature of Their Own, by saying "the legends themselves express a cultural attitude toward female passion as a potentially dangerous force that must be punished and confined" (Showalter 119). These monsters of women are experiencing what became to be known as moral insanity. J.C. Prichard defined moral insanity as "a morbid perversion of the natural feelings, affections, inclinations, temper, habits, and moral dispositions without any notable lesion of the intellect" ( Small 163).

Also the snake in her garden characterizes her dual personality. “the illusion symbolized that her schizophrenic psyche had been on the verge of corruption.”(Wang and Wen) Susan’s psychological conditions worsen as she starts to visualize snakes lingering her garden. Still when she brushes her hair it makes hissing noises similar to a snake signifies her illness is getting more severe. In addition, the mirror in her room signifies that her schizophrenia symptoms are getting critical. “Yet that’s the reflection of a madwoman.

In this story they also symbolize death. They are only mentioned twice; however, each time they are associated with a death and a smell. The first time is when the town’s ladies are complaining about a smell coming from Emily’s house. Judge Stevens says that “it’s probably just a snake or a rat” (Faulkner 324). Thus he unknowingly referred to Emily’s father as a rat.

"Come to my woman's breasts and take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers" (1.5.48-49). In ancient history it was believed that the venom of serpents was produced from their gall1. The process of "unsexing" herself could, as a result, be perceived as a metaphorical transformation into a snakelike creature. The "unsexing" process is an important part of the evil and complexity that Shakespeare was attempting to develop throughout the story, in order to invoke emotion from the audience. This "unsexing" process not only brings about a theme of witchcraft, but it also introduces a complex situation that the character must face: whether or not to give up good and loyalty for personal ambition.

In his first interaction... ... middle of paper ... ...heir eyes and body movements; the doctor is likened to the rat through his “slight” build and fair hair (74). The rat sees the snake, but remains “unconcern[ed]” (83). Just as the rat fails to recognize the danger of the snake, Dr. Phillips initially fails to recognize the danger of the woman. He presumes, incorrectly, that she is just like his other visitors. Only too late does he realize that he can neither determine how she “sees,” nor exert his own mode of looking over her.

The Snake Young marine biologist Dr. Phillips brings a sack of starfish from the tide pool to his laboratory on the cannery street in Monterey. The lab: rattlesnakes, rats, cats; killing a cat. Arrival of a tall, lean woman just as he begins timed work making a starfish embryo series. While she waits he begins embalming the cat. She wants to buy the male rattlesnake which she wants to keep in the lab.

Skyes was also embodied by the snake because of how they are toxic. Snakes have venom in their fangs, meant to cause harm and death, while Skyes has venom in his words and fists. Delia has dealt with Skyes venomous emotional abuse for ... ... middle of paper ... ...the way he seems to enjoy causing pain and agitation onto his wife, Delia. Furthermore, the snake embodies Skyes because of its association to the devil. The devil steals, kills, hurts, and simply cause’s pain onto others as Skyes does on his wife.

Slithering serpents protruding from the skull of a yellow fanged, corpse like figure with, “looks that could kill.” When these words are heard, the mythological being Medusa is among one of the first things that comes to mind. Throughout the ages Medusa's story has been passed down from generation to generation and spread through means of media and literature. In the poem, “Medusa”, by Carol Ann Duffy, the author depicts a woman undergoing changes due to her uneasiness for her lovers wavering loyalty. The character, or speaker, has a suspicion that her lover, whom she holds close, has betrayed her. The woman represents a subsequent change in one's state portraying a monster, victim, or even a villainous figure as an effect that fears establish consequent to one's well being and state of mind from betrayal resulting in jealousy.

Lucie is also frightened by the mysterious dark shadow she casts. Her shadow is cast on other people by everyone’s oblivion to the strong power that she holds over everyone, through her mysterious comments, and through her remorseless attitude when she registers them on her hit list. Lorry remarks after Madame Defarge’s visit to him and the Manettes, “I am not thankless, I hope, but that dreadful woman seems to throw a shadow on me and on all my hopes” (208). From this, readers understand that Madame Defarge is so evil that Lorry and other people can feel it when they are in her presence. Her shadow also has an emotional affect on others because she comes off as such a threatening person she crushes the hopes of characters, like she does to Mr. Lorry in this quote.