homeless looking guy???
the guy with the snake?! I don't understand how he served the films purpose or direction??
any ideas, thanks!
This is just a guess on my part.
Sarah was petrified of snakes. Plus, she was (unknown to herself at the time) a natural witch. She was drawing out reactions to her spiritual power in certain sensitive individuals. The seemingly mentally ill man homeless was one such individual.
So he had a pet snake, was drawn to her and as you saw started chasing her, which freaked her out because she still feared her inner power.
I don't think it's so much "purpose or direction" for the film as much as a dramatic effect moment, to add to her ever-increasing anxiety about her own destiny as a witch.