The Owl and the Pussycat / Edward Lear
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!"
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.
"Dear Pig," said the Owl, "if you will allow us
To purchase your ring at the end of your nose,
We will gladly give you a shilling."
Said the Piggy-wig, "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.
Talking About The Owl and the Pussycat_Edward Lear
Study Guide: "The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear
Quiz
- Describe the initial journey of the Owl and the Pussy-cat. The Owl and the Pussy-cat embarked on a sea voyage in a pea-green boat. They brought along provisions including honey and money, which was specifically wrapped in a five-pound note.
- What musical talent does the Owl possess, and for whom does he perform? The Owl is a singer and plays a small guitar. He performs a love song specifically for the Pussy-cat, expressing his admiration for her beauty.
- What significant proposal does the Pussy-cat make to the Owl, and what immediate problem arises from it? The Pussy-cat proposes marriage to the Owl, stating they have tarried too long. The immediate problem they face is that they do not have a wedding ring.
- How long do the Owl and Pussy-cat sail, and what is their destination? They sailed for "a year and a day." Their destination was the land where the Bong-Tree grows.
- Whom do they encounter in the wood, and what notable feature does this character possess? In the wood, they encounter a "Piggy-wig." This Piggy-wig stands with a ring at the end of its nose.
- What do the Owl and Pussy-cat offer the Piggy-wig in exchange for the ring? They offer the Piggy-wig "a shilling" in exchange for the ring that is on its nose.
- Who officiates the wedding ceremony for the Owl and Pussy-cat? Their marriage ceremony is officiated by the Turkey, who is described as living on the hill.
- What did the newly married couple dine on, and with what utensil? The Owl and Pussy-cat dined on mince and slices of quince. They ate their meal using a "runcible spoon."
- Where do the Owl and Pussy-cat dance after their wedding feast? They danced "hand in hand, on the edge of the sand."
- What illuminates their dance? Their dance was illuminated by the light of the moon.
Answer Key
- The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea in a pea-green boat. They brought honey and money wrapped in a five-pound note.
- The Owl sings and plays a small guitar. He performs a love song for the Pussy-cat.
- The Pussy-cat proposes marriage to the Owl. The problem is they don't have a ring.
- They sail for "a year and a day." Their destination is the land where the Bong-Tree grows.
- They encounter a "Piggy-wig" in the wood, which has a ring at the end of its nose.
- They offer the Piggy-wig "a shilling" for the ring.
- The Turkey who lives on the hill officiates their wedding.
- They dined on mince and slices of quince, using a "runcible spoon."
- They danced "on the edge of the sand."
- Their dance is illuminated by the light of the moon.
Essay Format Questions
- Analyze how Edward Lear uses elements of nonsense and whimsical imagery to create a memorable and engaging narrative in "The Owl and the Pussycat."
- Discuss the roles of the Owl and the Pussy-cat in their relationship, highlighting their individual contributions to the progression of the story and their dynamic as a couple.
- Examine the journey undertaken by the characters in "The Owl and the Pussycat" as a metaphor for a quest or adventure. What challenges do they face, and how do they overcome them?
- How does the poem use sound devices, such as rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration, to enhance its playful tone and contribute to its enduring appeal?
- Consider the various "unusual" characters encountered in the poem (e.g., the Piggy-wig, the Turkey). What function do these characters serve in the narrative, and how do they contribute to the poem's overall whimsical atmosphere?
Glossary of Key Terms
- Pussy-cat: In the context of the poem, refers to a cat, personified as a female character who is the Owl's love interest.
- Pea-green boat: The specific color and type of vessel in which the Owl and Pussy-cat embark on their journey, contributing to the poem's whimsical imagery.
- Five-pound note: A denomination of British currency, indicating the specific amount of money the characters brought with them on their voyage.
- Elegant fowl: A compliment paid by the Pussy-cat to the Owl, highlighting his graceful and refined appearance as a bird.
- Bong-Tree: A fantastical tree in the land where the Owl and Pussy-cat travel, typical of Lear's nonsense verse.
- Piggy-wig: A playful, diminutive term for a pig, personified as a character who possesses the ring the couple needs.
- Shilling: A former British coin, indicating the price the Owl and Pussy-cat offered for the ring.
- Turkey: The bird character who officiates the marriage ceremony, adding to the poem's cast of anthropomorphic animals.
- Mince: A type of food, often ground meat or a sweet mixture for pies, consumed by the couple after their wedding.
- Quince: A fruit, slices of which were eaten alongside the mince, adding to the exotic nature of their wedding feast.
- Runcible spoon: A nonsensical word invented by Edward Lear for a specific type of spoon, now associated with the unique and whimsical tools in his verse.
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