4.11.2014

Jabberwocky

My J word is Jabberwocky.  It's an adventurous word created by Lewis Carroll, whom I believe Dr. Seuss channeled years later.  If you've never read this poem, spend a minute on it now.  It will challenge your brain and tickle your imagination like no other poetry on the planet. 

JABBERWOCKY

Lewis Carroll

         (from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872) 
 

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
     Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
   All mimsy were the borogoves,
  And the mome raths outgrabe.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/611518-Jabberwocky


"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 awhile 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, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
                                   Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
                                   O 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,
  nd the mome raths outgrabe. 
 
Cool, huh?  You have just read a classic.  
 
 
 

8 comments:

Unknown said...

My dad recited this poem to my sibs and me regularly--I particularly remember he did so when he was "in charge" at bathtime/nightly going to bed rituals. I memorized the poem as a young adult and it is a particularly enjoyable poem to say aloud. Thanks for bringing back such a wonderful family childhood memory, Marianne, on this the anniversary of my mom's death.

debi o'neille said...

I remember being deathly afraid of jabberwockies. Reading the poem, I do remember something about big claws. :-)
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I very much enjoyed this post! :) Thanks for stopping by my place. I plan to keep visiting yours as well. :)

Cathy said...

I've heard of it but I don't remember ever hearing it. Interesting.

Ann Hinds said...

I also memorized it as a youngster and now impress people with my well-read background when I recite it still. They think I have culture but I can also recite "Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Village Blacksmith" by Longfellow so maybe I am well-read after all. I love "Jabberwocky".

http://yeakleyjones.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Good choice for J!

Unknown said...

I must admit until this day I had never read this poem. What fun it was Mare, thanks for sharing it!

Jodie said...

Wow - You just taught me something - thank you. I love being introduced to literature I have never read before! Jodie