What is the significance of the spider in the poem?
The spider in the poem represents the intricate details of nature that remain hidden from ordinary observation.
Through the magnifying glass, the poet observes the spider's 'tigerish claws' and 'spinnerets' that spin the 'woven web-silk.'
The spider demonstrates how magnification reveals both the beauty and complexity of small creatures.
The reference to 'silly flies' that 'stumble into his net' adds drama to the scene, showing the predator-prey relationship that exists even in the microscopic world.
Explanation
The spider stanza (third and fourth stanzas) shows the poet watching a spider spin its web and observing its features. The spider serves as an example of how magnification reveals fascinating details in small creatures.
Solution Steps
The spider represents intricate details of nature hidden from ordinary observation
Through magnification, the poet observes the spider's 'tigerish claws' and 'spinnerets' that spin 'woven web-silk'
The spider demonstrates how magnification reveals beauty and complexity in small creatures
The reference to 'silly flies' shows the predator-prey relationship in the microscopic world