The Black Snake

by Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver

“I don’t think I have ever been bored one day in my life.”Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver was born in Maple Heights, Ohio, in 1935… She lived a quiet simple life…

Oliver Now lives in Provincetown, Massachusetts…She still lives a quiet life with nature.

The Black Snake

by Mary OliverPg. 554

A PAINFUL SCENE OF DEATH

When the black snake

flashed onto the morning road,

and the truck could not swerve—

death, that is how it happens.

Now he lies looped and useless

as an old bicycle tire.I stop the carand carry him into the bushes.

He is as cool and gleaming

as a braided whip, he is as beautiful & quiet

as a dead brother.

I leave him under the leaves

and drive on, thinkingabout death: its suddenness,

its terrible weight,its certain coming. Yet under

reason burns a brighter fire, which the bones

have always preferred.

It is the story of endless good fortune.

It says to oblivion: not me!

It is the light at the center of every cell.

It is what sent the snake coiling and flowing forward

happily all spring through the green leaves before

he came to the road.

Mood & Tone

Review• What does The black snake symbolize?• What are the main themes in the poem?• What is ironic about the snake’s death?• Describe the speaker in The Black Snake. • Where does the poet use:

Simile, Metaphor, Parallelism, and imagery• How does parallelism serve the author’s purpose? • What is the significance of circles in this poem?• What are the mood and tone in the poem?• Does the speaker’s mood change throughout the poem? • Which device did Mary Oliver use to imply mood in her

poem?

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