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, penned by Edward Lear, is a beloved nonsense poem that captures the imagination with its whimsical story. Published in 1871 as part of his Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets, the poem recounts the journey of an owl and a pussy-cat who embark on a sea voyage, ultimately leading to their marriage. Despite its apparent silliness, the poem explores themes of love, companionship, and the determination to overcome obstacles. Its enduring popularity lies in its charming characters, playful language, and the simple joy it conveys.
Understanding the Core Idea
At its heart, “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” is a celebration of love and finding happiness in unexpected places. The poem shows how two seemingly different creatures can find common ground and build a life together, even if their journey requires a bit of whimsical adventure. It is a gentle reminder that love knows no bounds, and sometimes, all you need is a little determination—and perhaps a 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 setting with the “beautiful pea‑green boat.” This color choice is significant; pea‑green is unusual and evocative, hinting at the whimsical nature of the poem. The inclusion of “honey and plenty of money” suggests preparation for a journey, but also symbolizes sweetness and comfort. The detail of the money “wrapped up in a five‑pound note” is wonderfully specific, adding to the poem’s charming domestic tone. The very first lines establish the adventurous spirit and the unusual companionship at the heart of the poem.
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. He doesn’t simply express his affection, he sings it, accompanied by a “small guitar,” which adds to the intimate, almost playful atmosphere. The repetition of “You are” emphasizes the depth of his admiration. This stanza reveals the Owl’s romantic nature and his open expression of love—setting the stage for 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 reciprocates the Owl’s affection, praising his singing and proposing marriage. The phrase “too long we have tarried” suggests a sense of urgency and a desire to formalize their bond. However, the immediate practical concern—the need for a ring—introduces a humorous element. This shows them as characters who have a sweet romantic connection but are also grounded.
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 is the most fantastical part of the poem. The “land where the Bong‑Tree grows” is a purely imaginary location, highlighting the poem’s nonsensical quality. The appearance of the Piggy‑wig with a ring in his nose is wonderfully absurd. The repetition of “His nose” emphasizes the peculiarity of the situation and the sheer luck involved in finding a ring in such a place. This exemplifies the poem’s theme of finding solutions in the most unexpected ways.
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 surprisingly simple. The willingness of the Piggy‑wig to sell the ring for a single shilling reinforces the poem’s lighthearted tone. The marriage is officiated by a Turkey “who lives on the hill,” adding another layer of whimsical absurdity. It also highlights that love can be celebrated in any way, with anyone.
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 final lines depict a joyous celebration. The unusual food pairings (“mince and slices of quince”) and the “runcible spoon” (a word invented by Lear) contribute to the poem’s unique atmosphere. The image of the couple dancing “by the light of the moon” is idyllic and romantic. The repetition of “The moon” emphasizes the magical quality of the moment and creates a sense of timelessness.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat”
- Nonsense Verse: The poem is a prime example of nonsense verse, characterized by its playful disregard for logic and its embrace of the absurd.
- Repetition: Lear uses repetition throughout the poem (e.g., “His nose,” “The moon”) to create a musical rhythm and emphasize certain images or ideas.
- Alliteration: Notice the subtle alliteration, like in “small guitar,” which adds to the poem’s melodic quality.
- Invented Words: The use of “runcible” is a classic example of Lear’s playful invention of words, adding to the poem’s unique charm.
- Personification: The animals are given human qualities – they sing, propose marriage, and dine on mince and quince.
- Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery, creating a whimsical and fantastical world. The “pea‑green boat,” the “Bong‑Tree,” and the moonlight all contribute to this effect.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme (primarily ABCB), contributing to its musicality.
Quotes for Teaching and Analysis
The following lines are particularly useful for sparking discussion or illustrating key poetic techniques:
“The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea‑green boat,”
Excellent for discussing imagery and setting.
“O let us be married! too long we have tarried,”
Illustrates dialogue and the characters’ desires.
“And there in a wood a Piggy‑wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose.”
A perfect example of the poem’s absurdity and imaginative details.
“The Owl and the Pussy‑Cat” remains a beloved poem because of its playful language, charming characters, and gentle celebration of love and companionship. It’s a testament to the power of nonsense to delight and inspire.