The Owl and the Pussy-Cat
by Edward Lear
I
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
“O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!”II
Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?”
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.III
“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.”
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
Summary of The Owl and the Pussy-Cat
“The Owl and the Pussy-Cat,” a delightful nonsense poem by Edward Lear, takes readers on a whimsical journey. First published in 1871 as part of his Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets, the poem chronicles the romantic adventure of an owl and a pussy-cat. These two unlikely companions embark on a sea voyage, overcome a small obstacle to their union, and ultimately celebrate their marriage. Despite its playful and often absurd elements, the poem beautifully explores universal themes of love, companionship, and the joyful pursuit of happiness.
Understanding the Core Idea
At its heart, “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” is a vibrant celebration of love and the discovery of joy in the most unexpected places. The poem illustrates how two distinct creatures can forge a deep connection and build a life together, even if their path involves a charmingly absurd adventure. It serves as a gentle reminder that affection knows no boundaries, and sometimes, all that is needed is a touch of determination and perhaps a helpful Piggy-wig with a conveniently placed ring.
In-Depth Analysis of “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat”
Stanza 1: Setting Sail on a Journey of Affection
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
Lear immediately establishes a fantastical and inviting setting with the description of the “beautiful pea-green boat.” This particular color choice, unusual and vivid, immediately signals the whimsical and imaginative nature of the poem. The inclusion of provisions like “honey, and plenty of money” suggests a well-prepared journey, but also subtly symbolizes sweetness, comfort, and the practical aspects of their adventure. The specific detail of the money being “wrapped up in a five-pound note” adds a touch of charming domesticity and realism to the otherwise fantastical scenario. These opening lines effectively set the stage for an adventurous spirit and introduce the unusual yet endearing companionship at the poem’s core.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
“O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!”
The Owl’s serenade is a pivotal moment, clearly expressing his deep affection for the Pussy-cat. He does not merely speak his feelings; he sings them, accompanied by a “small guitar,” which enhances the intimate and playful atmosphere. The repeated declaration, “What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are!” emphasizes the profound depth of his admiration and devotion. This stanza beautifully reveals the Owl’s romantic nature and his open, heartfelt expression of love, setting a tender tone and inviting the Pussy-cat’s response.
Stanza 2: A Proposal and a Quest for a Ring
Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?”
The Pussy-cat warmly reciprocates the Owl’s affection, praising his singing with the affectionate address, “You elegant fowl!” Her immediate proposal, “O let us be married! too long we have tarried,” conveys a sense of urgency and a strong desire to formalize their bond. However, the practical question that follows, “But what shall we do for a ring?” introduces a humorous and relatable element. This exchange highlights the characters’ sweet romantic connection while also grounding them in a charmingly practical concern.
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.
This section introduces the most fantastical elements of the poem. The journey “for a year and a day” to “the land where the Bong-Tree grows” establishes a purely imaginary and timeless setting, underscoring the poem’s nonsensical quality. The sudden appearance of a “Piggy-wig” with a ring conveniently placed “at the end of his nose” is wonderfully absurd and unexpected. The repetition of “His nose” emphasizes the peculiarity of this discovery and the sheer good fortune involved in finding a solution in such an unusual manner. This exemplifies the poem’s theme of finding resolutions through whimsical and unforeseen circumstances.
Stanza 3: Marriage and Celebration
“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.”
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
The transaction with the Piggy-wig is remarkably straightforward and simple. The Piggy-wig’s immediate willingness to sell the ring for a mere “one shilling” reinforces the poem’s lighthearted and uncomplicated tone. The marriage ceremony itself is officiated by a Turkey “who lives on the hill,” adding another layer of charming, whimsical absurdity to the narrative. This detail also subtly suggests that love and commitment can be celebrated and formalized in any manner, with any willing participant, regardless of conventional expectations.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
The concluding lines paint a picture of joyous celebration and marital bliss. The unusual culinary choices of “mince, and slices of quince” and the use of a “runcible spoon” (a word famously invented by Lear) contribute significantly to the poem’s unique and playful atmosphere. The idyllic image of the couple dancing “hand in hand, on the edge of the sand” “by the light of the moon” evokes a sense of romance and tranquility. The repetition of “The moon” further emphasizes the magical quality of this celebratory moment, creating a feeling of timeless happiness and contentment.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat”
Edward Lear masterfully employs various literary and poetic devices to create the enduring charm and musicality of “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat.”
- Nonsense Verse: This poem is a quintessential example of nonsense verse, a genre characterized by its playful disregard for logic and its embrace of the absurd. The entire premise of an owl and a pussy-cat sailing to sea, finding a ring from a pig, and being married by a turkey exemplifies this. Consider lines such as:
To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,These lines transport the reader to a world where the fantastical is commonplace.
- Repetition: Lear frequently uses repetition to create a musical rhythm, emphasize certain ideas, and enhance the poem’s sing-song quality. This technique is particularly evident in the refrains at the end of each stanza:
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!This repetition reinforces the Owl’s adoration and adds to the poem’s memorable cadence.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds, or alliteration, adds to the poem’s melodic and playful quality. Examples include:
And sang to a small guitar,
and
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
These subtle sound devices make the poem more enjoyable to read aloud.
- Invented Words: A hallmark of Lear’s style is the creation of unique, nonsensical words that add to the poem’s charm and distinctiveness. The most famous example in this poem is:
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
The word “runcible” has no inherent meaning but perfectly fits the whimsical tone of the poem, inviting readers to imagine its form and function.
- Personification: Personification is extensively used, giving human qualities and actions to animals. The Owl and the Pussy-cat are the primary examples, as they: