--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were examining a big hole with two…" description: "\"“We were examining a big hole with two entrances. The burrow sloped into the ground at a gentle angle, so that we could see where the two corridors uni..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/willa-cather-634_cold-night_we-were-examining-a-big-hole-with-two-en_429272.jpg" --- # We were examining a big hole with two entrances. The… ![“We were examining a big hole with two entrances. The burrow sloped into the ground at a gentle angle, so that we could see where the two corridors united, and the floor was dusty from use, like a little highway over which much travel went. I was walking backward, in a crouching position, when I…” quote by Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/willa-cather-634_cold-night_we-were-examining-a-big-hole-with-two-en_429272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/willa-cather-634_cold-night_we-were-examining-a-big-hole-with-two-en_429272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/willa-cather-634_cold-night_we-were-examining-a-big-hole-with-two-en_429272.jpg) > ““We were examining a big hole with two entrances. The burrow sloped into the ground at a gentle angle, so that we could see where the two corridors united, and the floor was dusty from use, like a little highway over which much travel went. I was walking backward, in a crouching position, when I heard Antonia scream. She was standing opposite me, pointing behind me and shouting something in Bohemian. I whirled around, and there, on one of those dry gravel beds, was the biggest snake I had ever seen. He was sunning himself, after the cold night, and he must have been asleep when Antonia screamed. When I turned, he was lying in loose waves, like a letter "W". He twitched and began to coil slowly. He was not merely a big snake, I thought - he was a circus monstrosity. His abominable muscularity, his loathsome, fluid motion, somehow made me sick. He was as thick as my leg, and looked as if millstones couldn't crush the disgusting vitality out of him. He lifted his hideous little head , and rattled. I didn't run because I didn't think of it - if my back had been against a stone wall I couldn't have felt more cornered. I saw his coils tighten - now he would spring, spring his length, I remembered. I ran up and drove at his head with my spade, struck him fairly across the neck, and in a minute he was all about my feet in wavy loops. I struck now from hate. Antonia, barefooted as she was, ran up behind me. Even after I had pounded his ugly head flat, his body kept on coiling and winding, doubling and falling back on itself. I walked away and turned my back. I felt seasick.”” [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A harrowing encounter with a massive snake illustrates confronting overwhelming fear and the instinct to fight despite terror. **In simple terms:** Facing a terrifying threat forces action despite fear. Key Takeaway Confront fear head‑on, even when it feels monstrous. Themes fear survival courage conflict psychology Mood tense intense Type narrative dramatic When to use this quote - hiking - exploration - emergency response - personal crisis Key Concepts animal symbolism human instinct survival Questions to Reflect On - What does the snake represent in your life? - How can you prepare for sudden crises? A Different Perspective The vivid description may amplify fear, obscuring rational assessment of danger. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cold night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold-night/) [Snake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snake/) ## Related quotes > [I had killed a big snake. I was now a big fellow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/i-had-killed-a-big-snake-i-was-now-a-big-fellow/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Growing up, my uncle had a snake and I always thought they were really interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-green/growing-up-my-uncle-had-a-snake-and-i-always-thought-they-were-really/) [Danny Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-green/) > [“Voodoo Beer?” “In honor of Loa and Boa for chasing away death.” “That was a big snake, wasn’t it?”“It was a seriously large snake.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/voodoo-beer-in-honor-of-loa-and-boa-for-chasing-away-death-that-was-a/) [kresley cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [“We also spent entire nights in bed and I told her my dreams. I told her about the big snake of the world that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/we-also-spent-entire-nights-in-bed-and-i-told-her-my-dreams-i-told/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [I thought of you with your hair silver as snow all through that cold, slow journey from Sirle. I felt you troubled deep within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-a-mckillip/i-thought-of-you-with-your-hair-silver-as-snow-all-through-that-cold/) [Patricia A. McKillip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-a-mckillip/) > [If you are cold at night, let the promise of my love cover you like a warm blanket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-white/if-you-are-cold-at-night-let-the-promise-of-my-love-cover-you-like-a/) Matthew White > [It's a cold night out tonight. The Padres better warm up real good because it's stiff out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-coleman/it-s-a-cold-night-out-tonight-the-padres-better-warm-up-real-good/) [Jerry Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-coleman/) > [“No, the Boss corrected, I'm not a lawyer. I know some law. ... but I'm not a lawyer. That's why I can see what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-penn-warren/no-the-boss-corrected-i-m-not-a-lawyer-i-know-some-law-but-i-m-not-a/) [Robert Penn Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-penn-warren/) > [I'm standin' on the bridge I'm waitin' in the dark I thought that you'd be here by now There's nothing but the rain No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-standin-on-the-bridge-i-m-waitin-in-the-dark-i-thought-that-you-d/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's such a cold night and it's the only time I've actively been grateful for menopause. I've been entirely comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/it-s-such-a-cold-night-and-it-s-the-only-time-i-ve-actively-been/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [Knowledge without Spirit is like finding yourself on a cold night with all the wood in the world and no flame to ignite it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/knowledge-without-spirit-is-like-finding-yourself-on-a-cold-night/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) > [A career is wonderful thing, but you can't snuggle up to it on a cold night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/a-career-is-wonderful-thing-but-you-can-t-snuggle-up-to-it-on-a-cold/) [Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/) > [Life's Highs... 1. Laughing hysterically 2. Dancing your heart out 3. Star gazing 4. Shopping 5. Going to the beach 6. Listening to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/life-s-highs-1-laughing-hysterically-2-dancing-your-heart-out-3-star/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“You love me?” he asked quietly. I dipped my face close and answered quietly, “On a cold night, a long time ago, you put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/you-love-me-he-asked-quietly-i-dipped-my-face-close-and-answered/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“The dream of her was the glow of a spent fire on a cold night: warm and welcoming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/the-dream-of-her-was-the-glow-of-a-spent-fire-on-a-cold-night-warm/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) ## More by Willa Cather > [The end is nothing; the road is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/the-end-is-nothing-the-road-is-all/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Success is less interesting than struggle. There is great pleasure in the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/success-is-less-interesting-than-struggle-there-is-great-pleasure-in/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [“I only knew the schoolbooks said he "died in the wilderness, of a broken heart." "More than him has done that," said Antonia sadly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/i-only-knew-the-schoolbooks-said-he-died-in-the-wilderness-of-a/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [“Have the last word ma'm," he said cheerfully. "It's a lady's privilege.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/have-the-last-word-ma-m-he-said-cheerfully-it-s-a-lady-s-privilege/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > ["More than him has done that," said Antonia sadly, and the girls murmured assent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/more-than-him-has-done-that-said-antonia-sadly-and-the-girls-murmured/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Nothing mattered ... but writing books, and living the kind of life that made it possible to write them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/nothing-mattered-but-writing-books-and-living-the-kind-of-life-that/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [“Money and office and success are the consolations of impotence. Fortune turns kind to such solid people and lets them suck their bone in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/money-and-office-and-success-are-the-consolations-of-impotence/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [But she still had that something which fires the imagination, could still stop one's breath for a moment by a look or gesture that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/but-she-still-had-that-something-which-fires-the-imagination-could/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [“You remember how homesick I used to get, and what long talks we used to have coming from school? We've someway always felt alike…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/you-remember-how-homesick-i-used-to-get-and-what-long-talks-we-used/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [“He placed this book in my grandmother's hands, looked at her entreatingly, and said, with an earnestness which I shall never forget, "Te-e-ach, te-e-ach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/he-placed-this-book-in-my-grandmother-s-hands-looked-at-her/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [The sincerity of feeling that is possible between a writer and a reader is one of the finest things I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/the-sincerity-of-feeling-that-is-possible-between-a-writer-and-a/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [One realizes that human relationships are the tragic necessity of human life; that they can never be wholly satisfactory, that every ego is half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/one-realizes-that-human-relationships-are-the-tragic-necessity-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Our tree became the talking tree of the fairy tale; legends and stories nestled like birds in its branches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/our-tree-became-the-talking-tree-of-the-fairy-tale-legends-and/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [“Isn’t it queer: there are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/isn-t-it-queer-there-are-only-two-or-three-human-stories-and-they-go/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) [Explore all 434 Willa Cather quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) ## More Cold night quotes > [“The dream of her was the glow of a spent fire on a cold night: warm and welcoming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/the-dream-of-her-was-the-glow-of-a-spent-fire-on-a-cold-night-warm/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [“You love me?” he asked quietly. I dipped my face close and answered quietly, “On a cold night, a long time ago, you put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/you-love-me-he-asked-quietly-i-dipped-my-face-close-and-answered/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [Life's Highs... 1. Laughing hysterically 2. Dancing your heart out 3. Star gazing 4. Shopping 5. Going to the beach 6. Listening to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/life-s-highs-1-laughing-hysterically-2-dancing-your-heart-out-3-star/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [A career is wonderful thing, but you can't snuggle up to it on a cold night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/a-career-is-wonderful-thing-but-you-can-t-snuggle-up-to-it-on-a-cold/) [Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/) > [Knowledge without Spirit is like finding yourself on a cold night with all the wood in the world and no flame to ignite it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/knowledge-without-spirit-is-like-finding-yourself-on-a-cold-night/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) > [It's such a cold night and it's the only time I've actively been grateful for menopause. I've been entirely comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/it-s-such-a-cold-night-and-it-s-the-only-time-i-ve-actively-been/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [I'm standin' on the bridge I'm waitin' in the dark I thought that you'd be here by now There's nothing but the rain No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-standin-on-the-bridge-i-m-waitin-in-the-dark-i-thought-that-you-d/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“No, the Boss corrected, I'm not a lawyer. I know some law. ... but I'm not a lawyer. That's why I can see what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-penn-warren/no-the-boss-corrected-i-m-not-a-lawyer-i-know-some-law-but-i-m-not-a/) [Robert Penn Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-penn-warren/) > [It's a cold night out tonight. The Padres better warm up real good because it's stiff out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-coleman/it-s-a-cold-night-out-tonight-the-padres-better-warm-up-real-good/) [Jerry Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-coleman/) > [If you are cold at night, let the promise of my love cover you like a warm blanket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-white/if-you-are-cold-at-night-let-the-promise-of-my-love-cover-you-like-a/) Matthew White > [I thought of you with your hair silver as snow all through that cold, slow journey from Sirle. I felt you troubled deep within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-a-mckillip/i-thought-of-you-with-your-hair-silver-as-snow-all-through-that-cold/) [Patricia A. McKillip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-a-mckillip/) > [“On that cold night in January it all slipped into place for me and she became my everything and my everyone. My music, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-murphy-side-effects-may-vary/on-that-cold-night-in-january-it-all-slipped-into-place-for-me-and/) [Julie Murphy-Side Effects May Vary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-murphy-side-effects-may-vary/) > [“ You’re…you’re what? Where? ” I stood up and glimpsed myself in the mirror. I was a vision, having changed into satin pajama pants,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/you-re-you-re-what-where-i-stood-up-and-glimpsed-myself-in-the-mirror/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [He never wanted love, though. You cannot eat love, nor buy a horse with it, nor warm your halls on a cold night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-never-wanted-love-though-you-cannot-eat-love-nor-buy-a-horse-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Even her footsteps did not seem to belong to her. The night seized and transformed them, just as it transformed the greenhouses they passed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-farmer/even-her-footsteps-did-not-seem-to-belong-to-her-the-night-seized-and/) [Penelope Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-farmer/) [Browse all 128 Cold night quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold-night/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We were examining a big hole with two entrances. The burrow sloped into the ground at a gentle angle, so that we could see where the two corridors united, and the floor was dusty from use, like a little highway over which much travel went. I was walking backward, in a crouching position, when I heard Antonia scream. She was standing opposite me, pointing behind me and shouting something in Bohemian. I whirled around, and there, on one of those dry gravel beds, was the biggest snake I had ever seen. He was sunning himself, after the cold night, and he must have been asleep when Antonia screamed. When I turned, he was lying in loose waves, like a letter \"W\". He twitched and began to coil slowly. He was not merely a big snake, I thought - he was a circus monstrosity. His abominable muscularity, his loathsome, fluid motion, somehow made me sick. He was as thick as my leg, and looked as if millstones couldn't crush the disgusting vitality out of him. He lifted his hideous little head , and rattled. I didn't run because I didn't think of it - if my back had been against a stone wall I couldn't have felt more cornered. I saw his coils tighten - now he would spring, spring his length, I remembered. I ran up and drove at his head with my spade, struck him fairly across the neck, and in a minute he was all about my feet in wavy loops. I struck now from hate. Antonia, barefooted as she was, ran up behind me. 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