Jabberwocky
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood a while in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One two! One two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Summary / Analysis
Jabberwocky is a nonsense poem from Lewis Carroll's novel Through the Looking-Glass, and it's famous for its playful language and imaginative creatures. The poem tells the story of a seemingly youthful hero referred to as "my son" and "my beamish boy," who is warned about the fearsome Jabberwock, a creature with "jaws that bite" and "claws that catch!" Armed with a "vorpal" (whatever that means) sword, the young hero ultimately confronts and slays the Jabberwock, returning home to a joyous celebration.
Regarding analysis, Jabberwocky stands out for its inventive use of vocabulary and made-up words. In this 28-line poem that could be categorized as light verse, Carroll creates a world where meaning is derived not only from invented words but also from the sounds and rhythms of the poem. The blend of everyday and outlandish words invites readers to embrace the absurdity and imagination inherent to the text. The underlying themes of courage, good versus evil, and the hero's journey are universal, despite the whimsical style. Ultimately, Jabberwocky epitomizes the power of language and imagination, showcasing how playful elements can "gyre and gimble," thus conveying more profound meanings.
