The Table And The Chair
By Edward Lear
I
Said the Table to the Chair,
‘You can hardly be aware,
‘How I suffer from the heat,
‘And from chilblains on my feet!
‘If we took a little walk,
‘We might have a little talk!
‘Pray let us take the air!’
Said the Table to the Chair.
II
Said the Chair unto the Table,
‘Now you know we are not able!
‘How foolishly you talk,
‘When you know we cannot walk!’
Said the Table, with a sigh,
‘It can do no harm to try,
‘I’ve as many legs as you,
‘Why can’t we walk on two?’
III
So they both went slowly down and walked around the town
With a cheerful clatter
As they toddled round and round.
And everybody shouted, ‘See the Table and the Chair
Have come out to take the air!’
IV< But in going down an alley to a castle in a valley
They lost their way and wandered all day
Till, to bring them home safely, they paid a Ducky quack,
A Beetle and a Mouse took them home.
V
Then they whispered to each other,
‘O delightful little brother!
‘What a lovely walk we’ve taken!
‘Let us dine on Beans and Bacon!’
So the Ducky, the little brown mousy and the Beetle
Dined, and danced upon their heads
Till they toddled to their beds.
Unpacking “The Table And The Chair”: A Whimsical Journey
Edward Lear’s “The Table And The Chair” is a delightful and enduring piece of nonsense verse that continues to charm readers of all ages. This celebrated poem, first published in 1893, invites us into a world where everyday objects possess feelings, voices, and a longing for adventure. It is a testament to Lear’s genius for blending the ordinary with the extraordinary, creating a narrative that is both simple and profound in its gentle lessons. Exploring “The Table And The Chair” offers a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the magic of language and the power of imagination.
The Heart of the Story: A Summary
“The Table And The Chair” recounts the charming tale of two pieces of furniture who decide to embark on an unexpected journey. The poem begins with the Table expressing its discomfort from the heat and its desire for a walk to “take the air.” The Chair initially dismisses the idea, pointing out their obvious inability to walk. However, the Table’s optimistic spirit prevails, suggesting they simply “try.”
To the surprise and delight of everyone, the Table and Chair successfully venture out, toddling cheerfully around town. Their adventure takes a turn when they lose their way in an alley. Fortunately, they receive assistance from a friendly Ducky, a Beetle, and a Mouse, who guide them safely home. The poem culminates in a joyful celebration, with the Table, Chair, and their new animal friends sharing a meal and dancing, highlighting the simple pleasures of companionship and shared experience. The central idea of the poem revolves around the spirit of trying new things, the joy of friendship, and the unexpected delights that can arise from a simple act of courage and curiosity.
A Deeper Look: Analysis of “The Table And The Chair”
Beyond its surface charm, “The Table And The Chair” offers rich ground for literary exploration. Edward Lear masterfully employs various literary and poetic devices to create a memorable and meaningful experience for the reader.
Themes and Central Ideas
The poem, while lighthearted, subtly conveys several universal themes that resonate with readers.
- The Spirit of Adventure and Trying New Things: The Table’s initial complaint and subsequent proposal to the Chair exemplify a desire for change and new experiences. Despite the Chair’s logical objections, the Table’s insistence on “It can do no harm to try” is a powerful message about overcoming perceived limitations and embracing the unknown. The success of their walk, against all odds, celebrates the rewards of stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
- The Joy of Companionship: The entire premise of the poem rests on the interaction between the Table and the Chair. Their dialogue, shared adventure, and eventual celebration underscore the importance of friendship. The inclusion of the Ducky, Beetle, and Mouse further broadens this theme, showing how new connections can enrich experiences and provide support when needed. The final stanza, with its shared meal and dancing, beautifully illustrates the happiness found in togetherness:
Then they whispered to each other,
‘O delightful little brother!
‘What a lovely walk we’ve taken!
‘Let us dine on Beans and Bacon!’ - Overcoming Obstacles and Seeking Help: When the Table and Chair lose their way, they do not give up. Instead, they receive assistance from other creatures. This teaches a gentle lesson about the inevitability of challenges and the value of accepting help from others. The Ducky, Beetle, and Mouse are not just plot devices, but symbols of kindness and community.
Exploring Literary and Poetic Devices
Edward Lear’s skill as a poet shines through his careful use of language and structure. Understanding these devices enhances our appreciation of “The Table And The Chair.”
- Personification: Bringing Objects to Life
The most striking literary device in the poem is personification, where inanimate objects are given human qualities and abilities. The Table and Chair talk, feel, express emotions, and even walk. This device is the very foundation of the poem’s charm and humor.Said the Table to the Chair,
‘You can hardly be aware,
‘How I suffer from the heat,
‘And from chilblains on my feet!’Here, the Table experiences human ailments like “chilblains on my feet” and expresses a desire to “take the air,” immediately establishing the whimsical, personified world of the poem.
- Dialogue: The Voice of Friendship
The poem is largely driven by the direct conversation between the Table and the Chair. This use of dialogue brings their personalities to life, allowing readers to witness their differing perspectives and the evolution of their adventure firsthand.Said the Chair unto the Table,
‘Now you know we are not able!
‘How foolishly you talk,
‘When you know we cannot walk!’This exchange reveals the Chair’s initial skepticism and the Table’s persistent optimism, making their eventual walk all the more triumphant.
- Imagery: Painting Pictures with Words
Lear uses imagery to create vivid sensory experiences for the reader, helping to visualize the Table and Chair’s journey.With a cheerful clatter
As they toddled round and round.The phrase “cheerful clatter” appeals to the sense of hearing, while “toddled round and round” creates a clear visual of their endearing, clumsy movement. Later, the image of them “lost their way and wandered all day” evokes a sense of their predicament.
- Rhyme Scheme: A Playful Musicality
The poem employs a consistent AABB rhyme scheme throughout its stanzas. This simple and predictable pattern contributes to the poem’s lighthearted, musical quality, making it easy to read aloud and remember. For example, in the first stanza:Said the Table to the Chair, (A)
‘You can hardly be aware, (A)
‘How I suffer from the heat, (B)
‘And from chilblains on my feet! (B)This regular rhyming creates a sense of rhythm and playfulness, characteristic of nonsense verse.
- Rhythm and Meter: The Poem’s Lively Beat
Lear often utilized anapestic meter in his nonsense verse, characterized by two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable (da-da-DUM). While not strictly adhered to throughout, this rhythmic pattern contributes to the poem’s lively, galloping feel, especially noticeable in lines like:So they both went slowly down and walked around the town
This energetic rhythm propels the narrative forward, mirroring the Table and Chair’s adventurous spirit.
- Assonance: Echoes of Vowel Sounds
Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, adds to the poem’s musicality.‘Now you know we are not able!’
The repeated long ‘o’ sound creates a smooth, echoing effect. Similarly, the ‘a’ sound in “Said the Table to the Chair” contributes to the poem’s pleasing sonic texture.
- Consonance: Repeating Consonant Harmonies
Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, further enriches the poem’s soundscape.‘When you know we cannot walk!’
The repetition of the ‘n’ and ‘k’ sounds, along with the ‘w’, creates a subtle but noticeable harmony. Another example is the ‘d’ and ‘r’ sounds in “As they toddled round and round,” which mimics the gentle, repetitive motion of their walk.
- Enjambment: Flowing Lines
Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a pause or punctuation. This technique creates a sense of momentum and fluidity, preventing the poem from feeling choppy.So the Ducky, the little brown mousy and the Beetle
Dined, and danced upon their heads
Till they toddled to their beds.The thought flows seamlessly across the lines, encouraging a smooth and continuous reading experience, much like the continuous flow of their adventure.
- Diction and Tone: Simple Charm and Optimism
Lear employs simple, accessible diction throughout the poem, making it enjoyable for a broad audience. The language is straightforward, yet evocative. The tone is consistently lighthearted and whimsical, infused with an underlying current of optimism and encouragement. Even when they are lost, the tone remains gentle and hopeful, reflecting the poem’s overall message of finding joy and companionship.
The Enduring Charm of “The Table And The Chair”
“The Table And The Chair” by Edward Lear remains a beloved poem for its delightful blend of humor, imagination, and gentle wisdom. It is a wonderful example of how simple language and clever personification can create a memorable narrative that speaks to universal experiences. From its engaging summary to its rich use of literary devices like personification, imagery, and a playful rhyme scheme, the poem offers a rewarding journey for any reader. It reminds us that sometimes, all it takes is a little courage and a good friend to embark on a delightful adventure, proving that even the most ordinary objects can inspire extraordinary tales. This poem is a true gem, perfect for sharing and revisiting again and again.