because of his human education on one side telling him to kill the snake and his human instincts on the other side telling him to give the snake hospitality.

Conflicting Emotions towards the Snake

The poet in D.H. Lawrence's poem "Snake" experiences conflicting emotions upon encountering the snake. These mixed feelings can be attributed to several factors, including the poet's fear and admiration for the snake, his internal struggle between societal norms and primal instincts, and his appreciation for the snake's beauty and grace.

Fear and Admiration:
The poet initially feels fear when he sees the snake, as evident in his trembling and his immediate instinct to throw a log at it. This fear is rooted in the snake's reputation as a dangerous and venomous creature. However, as the poet observes the snake's behavior, he begins to admire its grace and elegance. He describes its movements as "earth-freckled, earth-golden" and notes that it "drank with a delicate grace." The snake's ability to glide and navigate effortlessly through the grass captivates the poet, causing his fear to transform into a sense of awe and wonder.

Conflict between Societal Norms and Primal Instincts:
The poet's conflicting emotions also stem from the internal struggle between societal norms and his primal instincts. Society has conditioned him to view snakes as repulsive and dangerous creatures to be avoided or killed. This ingrained fear and aversion clash with the poet's natural instincts, which recognize the snake as a beautiful and innocent creature. The poet's dilemma lies in reconciling these conflicting perspectives and deciding how to respond to the snake.

Appreciation for Beauty and Grace:
Despite the fear and internal conflict, the poet cannot deny the snake's inherent beauty and grace. He describes the snake's skin as "mellow, smooth, moist" and its movement as "voluptuous" and "lithe." The poet is captivated by the creature's colors and patterns, recognizing its uniqueness and splendor. This appreciation for the snake's beauty further intensifies the poet's conflicting emotions, as he is torn between his fear and his admiration for the snake's aesthetic qualities.

In conclusion, the poet experiences conflicting emotions towards the snake due to a combination of fear and admiration, internal conflict between societal norms and primal instincts, and his appreciation for the snake's beauty and grace. These conflicting emotions highlight the complexity of human reactions to nature and challenge societal perceptions and expectations.