The snake, in this context, has more to do with a person's characteristics. Someone can act like a "snake." These tend to be deceptive people who like to ridicule others in various ways. This makes the term non desirable. The snake in its literal sense and used in this picture refers to an animal. It is seen as a species that leaves many fearful to the point of developing phobias. They are not something that people want to be around. Over time the term has turned into a use to describe a person. This person would have similar characteristics to that of a snake: vicious, venom, poison, threatening, mean, fearless, cut throat. All these are used in a negative context. It is a very strong word to refer to a person as. I chose this image of the child and the snake because I think it can be a representation of how this child is developing these qualities at such a young age. People may not be necessarily born evil, but may have it instilled in them. The term and photo can coincide with one another.
Mickey Spillane, The Snake (Bath: Chivers Press, 1964), page 232
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