Foreshadowing In The Rattler

Who is man to decide the worth of any life? Why does man hold this false sense of superiority in regard to other species? Humans have always made gods out of themselves, when they are no more than ants. People live their lives trapped in an illusion they created from their morals— all because they want to play hero. In reality, everything is subjective, including one’s definition of good and evil. The short text, The Rattler, focuses on a presumed male narrator, who struggles with a moral conflict when he encounters a snake during a walk in the desert. After recognizing the threat the snake poses on his home, he is left with an ultimatum; to either let the snake go or kill him. In the end, he chooses to kill the snake, as he finds it his virtuous responsibility to protect his home and those he cares about. In The Rattler, the author uses the personification of

the snake, language and details about the setting, and the point of view of the man to create sympathy for the snake and empathy for the man.

Through the snake’s intelligence, his fair treatment of the man, and his gruesome death, the author evokes compassion in the reader. When the man firsts comes across the snake, his instinct is not to attack, but to “watch what [the man] would do,” and “[hold] his ground in calm watchfulness” as he “[waits] for [the narrator] to show [his] intentions.” The snake’s neutral approach reveals his intelligence and his confidence. He is aware of his power; knows that in one swift move he can easily kill the narrator. But instead of doing so, he keeps a calm exterior, understanding that the man has yet to provoke him, and therefore there is no reason to attack. Furthermore, though the

narrator decides to wrongly attack him, the snake continues to treat him justly, “warning [the man] that [he] had made an unprovoked attack… he would have no choice but to take [his life.]” Only after seeing the man return with a hoe and makes the first move, the snake gets defensive. But he still does not strike, merely rattles at him, giving the narrator chance after chance to draw back, to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed. Additionally, even moments before his unfortunate, untimely death, the snake remains fervent and unrelenting. With “his back broken,” he continues his attack, “[striking] passionately… at the hoe.” At this point, his death is inevitable, but still he tries to defy his fate. His futile, yet noble, attempts are admirable, and even relatable; for when has it ever been anything less than human to try and change the unchangeable? This snake, this fierce force of nature, never deserved to die. With his strong-willed characterization, the author produces sympathy in the reader for the snake.
By using language and details about the setting, the author provides a contrast to the overall mood of the story, and strengthens the sympathy for the snake and empathy for the man. In the beginning sentence, the setting of the story is revealed when the narrator states that “[he] walked out into the desert.” Desert conditions are rough and harsh, and one must be able to survive those conditions to live there. Living in such a state hardens one's personality; it forces a person to become able to make the tough decisions. Choosing to kill the snake is one of the most difficult decisions the narrator makes. It tears him apart and drowns him in remorse. In addition to this, the man describes the scene as a “pleasant moment,” stating that “savory odors were sweet on the cooler air. Things are tranquil, soothing. This vastly differs from the dismal feeling that the reader is left with.