Snowdrop By Ted Hughes
ABOUT THE POET – TED HUGHES (1930–1998)
- Ted Hughes was an English poet
and one of the major figures in 20th-century British poetry.
- Known for his intense focus on nature,
animals, survival, and violence.
- His works often explore the relationship
between life and death, and the harshness of nature.
- Famous collections: The Hawk
in the Rain, Crow, Lupercal, and Birthday Letters.
Text
of the Poem
Now the
hedgehog crochets his coat,
The snail draws her nest in,
And the condition of snow is harsh,
The crow, the robin,
The lean mouse between floors, are all
In the grip of the earth.
Even the
snowdrop, brave in its white
Of the January hills,
Trembles, tiny, in the hard weather.
Over them all,
the death season
Hangs in the shrunken sky.
🌨️ SUMMARY OF
THE POEM
“Snowdrop”
is a short but powerful nature poem showing how living beings — from the
hedgehog and the mouse to the delicate snowdrop flower — struggle to survive
the harsh winter.
In winter, all
creatures withdraw to protect themselves:
- The hedgehog curls up to
survive.
- The snail retreats into its
shell.
- The crow, robin, and mouse
also suffer under the “grip of the earth.”
- Even the snowdrop, which
symbolizes hope and renewal, trembles in the deadly cold.
Ted Hughes uses
vivid and harsh images to show that nature’s beauty exists amid cruelty and
struggle. Winter here becomes a symbol of death, and life appears
fragile but persistent.
🌿 DETAILED
ANALYSIS
|
Line |
Explanation |
|
“Now the
hedgehog crochets his coat” |
The hedgehog
rolls up, making itself warm like it is “sewing” its coat — showing instinct
for survival. |
|
“The snail
draws her nest in” |
The snail
retreats into its shell — a metaphor for withdrawal from the hostile world. |
|
“And the
condition of snow is harsh” |
Winter’s
cruelty is emphasized. Nature is not peaceful but deadly. |
|
“The crow,
the robin, the lean mouse between floors, are all in the grip of the earth.” |
All creatures
are powerless under nature’s dominance; “grip of the earth” suggests both
physical cold and the symbolic power of death. |
|
“Even the
snowdrop, brave in its white of the January hills” |
The snowdrop
flower, which blooms in cold weather, symbolizes bravery and purity. |
|
“Trembles,
tiny, in the hard weather.” |
The snowdrop
shakes in the cold — showing fragility and vulnerability of life. |
|
“Over them
all, the death season hangs in the shrunken sky.” |
Winter is the
“season of death,” with the “shrunken sky” symbolizing decay and
lifelessness. |
💭 THEMES
- Struggle
for Survival – All living beings fight against harsh
natural conditions.
- Power of
Nature – Nature is strong, indifferent, and
dominating.
- Life and
Death – Winter symbolizes death, yet life persists in the fragile
snowdrop.
- Cycle of
Nature – Life continues despite hardships; death
leads to renewal.
- Isolation
and Endurance – Each creature faces the harsh season
alone.
✒️ POETIC DEVICES
|
Device |
Example |
Explanation |
|
Imagery |
“The hedgehog
crochets his coat” |
Vivid sensory
image of animals adapting to winter. |
|
Personification |
“The snail
draws her nest in” |
The snail is
given human qualities. |
|
Alliteration |
“Snowdrop…shrunken
sky” |
Repetition of
‘s’ sound adds softness but also coldness. |
|
Symbolism |
The snowdrop |
Symbol of
hope, resilience, and purity amid death. |
|
Contrast |
Life
(snowdrop) vs Death (winter) |
Highlights
fragility and persistence of life. |
|
Metaphor |
“Grip of the
earth” |
Suggests
death’s hold or nature’s power. |
|
Tone |
Somber,
reflective, and realistic |
Hughes
portrays nature’s cruel truth. |
🌬️ MEANING OF
DIFFICULT WORDS
|
Word |
Meaning |
|
Crochets |
To make or
weave (like sewing); suggests self-protection. |
|
Nest |
Shell or home
of the snail. |
|
Grip of the
earth |
Control or
power of nature/death over all beings. |
|
Snowdrop |
A small white
winter flower symbolizing purity and endurance. |
|
Trembles |
Shakes or
quivers due to cold or fear. |
|
Hard weather |
Harsh winter
climate. |
|
Death season |
Winter,
symbolic of death or lifelessness. |
|
Shrunken sky |
Low, cold,
gloomy sky — symbol of nature’s oppression. |
🧠 CRITICAL
APPRECIATION
“Snowdrop” is a
masterpiece of brevity and intensity. In just a few lines, Hughes shows the
essence of life’s struggle. The poem reflects his belief that nature is
both creative and destructive, and that every living being must adapt or
perish.
The snowdrop becomes a metaphor for resilience, representing the
poet’s admiration for life’s endurance amid adversity.
paraphrase
🌨️ Paraphrase
of the Poem “Snowdrop” by Ted Hughes
Lines
1–2:
“Now the
hedgehog crochets his coat,
The
snail draws her nest in,”
➡ The hedgehog
rolls itself up tightly like someone sewing or knitting a coat to keep warm,
and the snail pulls itself into its
shell to protect itself from the cold.
Both animals are trying to hide and survive the harsh
winter season.
Lines
3–6:
“And the
condition of snow is harsh,
The
crow, the robin,
The lean
mouse between floors, are all
In the
grip of the earth.”
➡ The snow
covers everything and makes the weather cruel and bitter.
All creatures — the crow, the robin,
and the thin mouse hiding in houses —
are under the power of the cold earth.
It means that nature controls them, and they
can do nothing to escape the suffering caused by winter.
Lines
7–9:
“Even
the snowdrop, brave in its white
Of the
January hills,
Trembles,
tiny, in the hard weather.”
➡ Even
the snowdrop
flower, small and pure white, which blooms bravely in January,
also shakes
in the freezing wind.
It tries to survive but is still weak and delicate in the cruel
winter climate.
The snowdrop here stands for life’s courage and fragility.
Lines
10–11:
“Over
them all, the death season
Hangs in
the shrunken sky.”
➡ Above
all living things, winter, which is like the season
of death, spreads its control.
The sky
looks smaller and lifeless, symbolizing the
decline of life and warmth.
Everything in nature seems to be under the shadow of death during winter.
🌼 In
Simple Words:
The poem
describes the harshness of winter and how
every living being — animals, birds, even plants — struggles to protect
itself from the cold.
The snowdrop
flower, though tiny and trembling, stands
brave and alive amid death and darkness, showing the
courage of life against nature’s cruelty.
Important Questions
Q1.
What is the central idea of the poem “Snowdrop”?
Ans. The poem
presents the harshness of winter and the struggle for survival
faced by all living creatures. It shows how animals, birds, and even the
delicate snowdrop flower fight against the cruelty of nature. The poem
symbolizes life’s endurance amid death and decay.
Q2.
What does the snowdrop symbolize in the poem?
Ans. The snowdrop
symbolizes hope, purity, and resilience. Despite the severe cold of
winter, the tiny white flower blooms bravely, showing life’s courage and
determination to survive even in deadly conditions.
Q3.
How does Ted Hughes portray nature in this poem?
Ans. Ted Hughes
portrays nature as powerful, harsh, and indifferent. He does not show
nature as gentle or romantic; instead, he reveals its realistic and
sometimes cruel side, where survival is a constant battle.
Q4.
Explain the line “In the grip of the earth.”
Ans. The line means
that all living creatures are under the control or power of nature. The
“grip of the earth” symbolizes the cold, lifeless power of winter and
also the hold of death over all beings.
Q5.
What is the tone and mood of the poem?
Ans. The tone
of the poem is serious, somber, and reflective. The mood is bleak
and cold, yet there is a touch of hope through the image of the
snowdrop flower, which survives despite hardship.
Q6.
What is the theme of “Snowdrop”?
Ans. The main theme
is the struggle for existence. Hughes explores how every creature, from
the hedgehog to the snowdrop, must adapt to nature’s cruelty to stay
alive. It also deals with life, death, and resilience.
Q7.
How does the poet describe the animals in the poem?
Ans. The hedgehog
rolls itself up (“crochets his coat”), and the snail hides inside its
shell (“draws her nest in”). The crow, robin, and mouse all suffer in
the cold. These images show that all animals depend on instinct and
endurance to face the deadly winter.
Q8.
What is the significance of the title “Snowdrop”?
Ans. The title is
significant because the snowdrop flower is central to the poem’s
message. It is small, white, and delicate, yet it blooms bravely in winter,
symbolizing life’s persistence in the face of death.
Q9.
What contrast does the poet draw between life and death in the poem?
Ans. The poet
contrasts life (represented by the snowdrop and the animals trying to
survive) with death (symbolized by the harsh winter and “the death
season”). This contrast shows the tension between vitality and decay in nature.
Q10.
What poetic devices are used in the poem?
Ans.
- Imagery – “The
hedgehog crochets his coat.”
- Personification – “The
snail draws her nest in.”
- Alliteration –
“Snowdrop… shrunken sky.”
- Symbolism – The
snowdrop symbolizes hope and endurance.
- Metaphor – “Grip
of the earth” represents nature’s or death’s control.
Q11.
How does the poem reflect Ted Hughes’ view of nature?
Ans. The poem
reflects Hughes’ belief that nature is both creative and destructive. He
admires nature’s beauty but also accepts its violence and indifference.
For him, life in nature is a constant struggle for survival.
Q12.
Why does the poet call winter the “death season”?
Ans. Winter is
called the “death season” because during this time, everything seems
lifeless. Plants wither, animals hide, and the landscape appears dead. The
cold sky and frozen earth symbolize the dominance of death in nature.
Q13.
What message does the poem convey to the readers?
Ans. The poem
conveys the message that life is fragile but strong. Even in the
harshest conditions, life finds a way to survive. The snowdrop teaches us courage,
endurance, and hope amid suffering.
Q14.
How does the poet use imagery to create the atmosphere of winter?
Ans. Hughes uses
strong visual images like the hedgehog’s coat, the snail’s shell, and the
trembling snowdrop to create a vivid picture of the cold and lifeless winter.
These images make the reader feel the frozen, death-like atmosphere of
the season.
Q15.
Write a short critical appreciation of the poem.
Ans. “Snowdrop” is
a brief but powerful poem that captures the struggle between life and
death in nature. Hughes’ simple language and vivid imagery create a
haunting picture of winter’s cruelty. The snowdrop, though small,
becomes a symbol of strength and renewal, reflecting the poet’s deep
understanding of the natural world.
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