Hunting+Snake

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** Hunting Snake ** ** By Judith Wright ** **The Poem** Sun-warmed in this late seasons’ grace, under the autumn’s gentlest sky we walked, and froze half-through a pace. The great black snake went reeling by.

Head-down, tongue flickering on the trail, he quested through the parting grass; sun glazed his curves of diamond scale and we lost breath to watch him pass.

What track he followed, what small food fled living from his fierce intent, we scarcely thought: still as we stood our eyes went with him as he went.

Cold. dark and splendid he was gone into the grass that hid his prey We took a deeper breath of day, looked at each other and went on.

**The Poet** Judith Wright (1915-2000) was a prolific Australian poet, critic, and short-story writer, who published more than 50 books. Wright was also an uncompromising environmentalist and social activist campaigning for Aboriginal land rights. She believed that the poet should be concerned with national and social problems. At the age of 85, just before her death, she attended in Canberra at a march for reconciliation with Aboriginal people.

1. Note down what you learn about the snake’s and the observers’ actions. What comparisons can you make between the actions of the snake and the observers? 2. How do you think the observers feel about the snake? Find evidence to support the following emotions: - shock - fear - relief - awe 3. How do the structure, rhyme and rhythm contribute to the poem? 4. What do you think is the significance of the last two lines?
 * Questions to consider**