Tone Analysis Example (You can find the poem online.

In D.H. Lawrence’s “Snake,” the speaker reveals that society’s influence on man
can make him reject his own conscience.
In the beginning of the poem, the speaker is impressed by the snake’s calm,
natural demeanor and does not want to listen to society’s warning of its danger. He
describes the snake’s “mus[ing],” having come from the “burning bowels” of the earth to
“rest” and drink from his water trough. The speaker personifies the snake, assuming that
it can think and want a break from its hellish home. He assumes also that the snake’s
home must be like a hell because it is underground, not where the speaker himself would
want to go. As the speaker watches the snake’s visitation, he considers his “education”
and the knowledge that the snake is not “innocent” but “venomous.” He knows that he
should kill the snake for the sake of other people because it does present a threat with its
poison, but he would prefer to think of it as childlike, as people often think of animals.
He puts the snake on a pedestal, “honored” by the “guest” who is more “like a god” than
a mere reptile. In the silence and solitude of the moment, he creates a vision of the snake
that romanticizes and personifies it. He wants to stay and watch it, and he feels as though
the snake has chosen him as a special person with whom to share his mysterious and
powerful presence. The speaker feels an intimate connection with nature here during this
encounter, and his instinct is to simply enjoy it, but he cannot ignore the voice in his head
telling him to behave responsibly. When the snake completes his visit and turns to leave,
however, the speaker’s feelings toward it change abruptly.
The speaker feels insulted by the snake’s departure because in his fantasy, the
snake has become his own personal god, and his leaving seems like abandonment. He is
especially disturbed by the snake’s choice to return to “that dreadful hole,” and he reacts
with “horror” and “protest.” He cannot comprehend how the snake would prefer to live
in darkness than to continue their visitation. He becomes angry and reacts rashly. The
speaker childishly throws a “clumsy log” at the snake with a “clatter.” Like a child who
does not get his way, the speaker indulges himself in a temper tantrum. His feelings are
hurt by the reptile, so he lashes out blindly and carelessly. The snake’s reaction to the fit
is “undignified haste” in which he “writhed like lightning” before disappearing. Despite
his disappointment, the speaker still personifies the animal, giving it qualities of dignity
and comparing it to a powerful force. He suggests the power and speed of Zeus’s
lightning bolts, demonstrating his continued respect for this threatening creature. After
his brief tantrum, the speaker realizes his mistake, and his attitude changes again.
Now, the speaker deeply regrets his rash and immature behavior, which was
perhaps prompted by his obligation to society. He describes his action as “paltry,”
“vulgar,” and “mean.” He knows that his attack on the snake was unworthy of its
magnificence, and his conscience now turns on him. He feels low and small, like he has
behaved in a stupid way, and he wishes he could take it back. He blames his “accursed
human education” for his ignorance and lack of integrity to his own feelings, and he
likens the event to that of the “albatross” from “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Having
been taught all of his life to fear the poisonous snake and respond to that fear with
violence, the speaker does just that. However, he then realizes that he has attempted to
harm something that was not offering any threat to him. He knows that he will have to
“expiate” this “pettiness,” but he does not discuss how he would do that, only that he
regrets his behavior in his “chance with one of the lords of life.” He had the opportunity
to make a real connection with nature, but he failed. He has behaved poorly, and he must
find some way to make amends for this unfortunate incident in order to assuage his
conscience.
When people are confronted with difficult situations, they often turn to their
education or upbringing for the expected response. Sometimes, however, they discover
that the expected response is not the right response in their own hearts, and they must
make the choice to conform to expectation or to their own consciences.