Analysis of "A narrow fellow in the grass" -Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson's "A narrow fellow in the grass" begins by describing a boy who has found a snake. However there is a shift at "several of nature's people" that makes the poem an extended metaphor. The metaphor or the snake, reminds the narrator of people he has seen within his life time who have shocked him or placed him in a state of awe. The lines "his notice instant" and "without a tighter breaking" show the break taking feeling the narrator experiences. "Several of nature's people I know, and the know me" changes the poem to be not only about the snake, but about "several people" he knows. (The narrator is a he "but when a boy, and barefoot".)

In addition to the extended metaphor, examples of consonance can be found through out the poem. "Spotted Shaft is Seen", "Cool for Corn", "a Boy, and Barefoot", "Stooping to Secure it" all add to the shocked, astonished tone of the poem. 

I chose two of Emily Dickinson's poems because I had read her work before and wanted to compare the two. Of the couple that I read, I enjoyed "A certain slant of light" more because of its deceptive first appearance. However, I did enjoy this poem as well. It was more cheerful than the last and I found the extended metaphor interesting. It tells the reader than the narrator had met many awe inspiring people in his lifetime. While a snake might be the most interesting as a boy, there is always more surprises that life has to offer.