Poem Analysis: To The Snake By Denise Levertov

Poets use a variety of senses throughout their work to spark interest with the reader. Recognizing and understanding the different senses help the reader to interpret what the author is trying to portray in that specific poem. In the poem “To the Snake” by Denise Levertov, the reader can use meaning to help understand the point in the poem that is being depicted. Levertov uses tone and a living object to mold the actual meaning behind the written words. Levertov uses tone by emphasizing the “S” in the words throughout the poem. The poem uses sound effects of a hissing snake to help build character around the devious actions the snake actually represents. Levertov also uses tone in word pairs such as: “cold, pulsing,” “arrowy gold”, “smiling,