The Snail Summary
The Snail Summary: ‘The snail’ written by William Cowper’ is a poem that tells us about the life of a snail. The poet gives detailed observation of the small creature.
In the first stanza, the poet describes grass, leaf and fruit to be snail’s birth place because the snail is found sticking close to grass, leaf or fruit with any fear of falling down. The outer shell of the snail is like a protective house and if cannot be separated from shell. The poet signifies that the snail can never be separated from its shell.
In the second stanza the snail is seen to hide and protect it self by shrinking into his shell, which is a protective place for him. Whenever the snail feels or smells danger be it storm or other harm he moves quickly inside it shell.
In the third stanza, the poet explains about the tentacles and horns of the snail which help the snail to have sense of sight and taste. The poet also shows how sensitive the snails are because with the slightest touch the snails shrinks into his house that is its shell with a kind of displeause. If someone touches his horns, it a discount for the snail and the snail moves inside its shell.
In the fourth stanza, the poet says that the snail lives alone, it wants no company. It is self sufficient. The snail has nothing but his personal belongings. He has his shell and his body and the snail is satisfied with it. It is happy to dwell alone with no relations. The snail has its shell and that is not separable from him.
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