SNAKE :: Erica Wright

Erica Wright's Snake is part of the Object Lessons series, books aimed at shedding light on the hidden lives of ordinary things (coffee, the ocean, bookshelves, hair, personal stereos, eye charts; I'd go on because despite their ordinariness you can see how a book about these items would be fascinating, but I digress).

I love snakes. Don't turn and run if you're anti-snake, Wright isn't fond of them herself. But she gives them a fair shake, and delving into why snakes seem to hold a sense of evil is part of this fascinating account of what snakes are all about and the unfair (and sometimes fair) qualities we ascribe to them. Although snakes often inspire fear, they are also the symbol of medicine. The snake is a true contradiction, "a living embodiment of duality."

Scientists believe that the medicinal potentials of venom are far-reaching. A drug for blood clots created from studies of the saw-scaled viper has been on the market since 1998. Neurotoxins might one day be used to treat brain injuries and Alzheimer’s. Some experts believe that we could see snake venom playing a role in treating Parkinson’s and breast cancer, as well. A substance that strikes fear into so many hearts could be used to restart those very organs.

Wright recognizes that humans are also creatures of duality, with the power to be menacing or helpful, destructive or redemptive. "Irrational fear justifies a lot of cruelty," and if we fail to understand the serpent we run the risk of losing a valuable resource. Wright explores the snake in voodoo, church, pop culture, science, conservation, and social media. Britney Spears, David Letterman, Steve Irwin and scientists studying robotics all have snakes in common. A baby cobra still had 150,000 followers on social media eight years after he escaped the Bronx Zoo. We are fascinated with snakes, we just need to understand them more. Wright's Object Lessons installment is a great place to start.