Snakes Alive!

[Front-Ranger]

Jack said that Lureen was like a rabbit tryin to squeeze into a snakehole with a coyote on its tail. It didn't seem like he was describing Lureen; he was really describing himself!! He was trying to fit himself into a restrictive environment. He was a scared rabbit at the mercy of the wolfish homophobes (externally) and desires (internally) that were always on his back.

This topic will address some of the snakes that keep popping up in the movie, the book, and in Annie Proulx's writings and lectures, and in Western literature.

[moremojo]

Hey, Lee--

I am fascinated by snakes, while at the same time fearing them. They are such beautiful creatures, yet so alien and unhuman, not to mention lethal (sometimes to people, and at any rate to some animal or another). But off the top of my head, the snakehole metaphor of Jack's description is the only snakey reference I recall from the film; from the story, I can recall none. Can you cite specific instances?

As for Western literature/culture, I know that the Shoshone (or Shoshoni) Indians were/are sometimes referred to as the Snake Indians. Sacagawea, of Lewis-and-Clark fame, belonged to this tribe by birth.

Let's get the snake-talk rolling (or slithering!).

[Front-Ranger]

To start this off on an Anything Goes note, here is a modern interpretation of the Snake Goddess of mythology:

[Jeff Wrangler]

I have no better authority for this than the novels of Mary Renault, but I understand that in ancient Greece, the snake was thought to be the messenger who brought messages from the Mother to Her priestesses. Anybody know if that's correct?

[Front-Ranger]

Yes, that's correct, Jeff, and also the snake is a general symbol for femininity. You might find that surprising because of the snake's resemblance to a certain male organ, but really the snake is thought to emulate a woman because of the way it undulates.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Yes, that's correct, Jeff, and also the snake is a general symbol for femininity. You might find that surprising because of the snake's resemblance to a certain male organ, but really the snake is thought to emulate a woman because of the way it undulates.

Actually, I don't find that surprising, but less because of the snake's resemblance to a certain male organ --  --than because of the misogyny of the Bible (the serpent in the Garden).

Generally, my reaction to snakes is akin to Indiana Jones's reaction to snakes, which, I guess, is why my memory of things I've read about snakes is kind of vague, but isn't there something also about the molting symbolizing rebirth? Or maybe it's resurrection? Or maybe I'm just really confused?

[moremojo]

Actually, I don't find that surprising, but less because of the snake's resemblance to a certain male organ --  --than because of the misogyny of the Bible (the serpent in the Garden).

The serpent-Eve exchange might actually be a very ancient remnant of the fertility goddess and her avatar or sacred animal, the original divinely feminine nuances made opaque through a later veneer of patriarchy. The late Joseph Campbell intimated as much in his lectures.

I just learned that the Eastern Shoshones live principally on the Wind River Indian Reservation--exactly where Riverton is located! There is one tradition that Sacagawea is buried there.

Off-topic: I have to go undulate my way now to the dentist's office, to have two wisdom teach extracted. Wish me luck! I hope I'm well enough to check back in tomorrow.

[Shakesthecoffecan]

(Good luck Scott, feel for you!)

[moremojo]

(Thanks, Truman. I had the two "teach" [you can tell I was in a hurry when I typed that]  pulled yesterday evening, and am feeling well enough to be back at work today. Jaw is sore, and still bleeding a little, but so far have kept the dreaded dry socket at bay. Looking forward to lots of rest this weekend).

Now back on topic: Jeff, the serpent was seen by many cultures as a symbol of regeneration or eternity. Its mysterious shedding of its skin was seen as a literal rebirth. There's also the image of the snake eating its own tail, representing a state of cyclical forevermore.

[Front-Ranger]

I wonder if the lasso could be considered an extension of the snake imagery in the movie and book??