Welcome to the magical world of Lewis Carroll’s poetry! One of his most famous poems, “The Jabberwocky,” takes us on an exciting journey filled with strange creatures and a brave hero. This poem is known for its playful and silly words, inviting us to use our imagination and explore a land where anything is possible.
The poem begins by painting a picture of a strange and wonderful place:
“’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.”
In this world, odd creatures like the slithy toves and borogoves live in a whimsical environment, setting the stage for an exciting adventure.
As the story unfolds, a father warns his son about the dangers ahead:
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
This warning tells us that the world is full of scary creatures, and the hero must be brave and careful.
With a special sword called a vorpal sword, the hero sets off on a quest to find the Jabberwock:
“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.”
The hero takes a moment to think about the big challenge ahead, getting ready for the battle.
The excitement builds as the Jabberwock appears:
“And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!”
The Jabberwock is described with fiery eyes and a strange sound, making the scene thrilling and intense.
In an epic battle, the hero defeats the beast:
“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.”
The hero’s victory is not just about defeating the Jabberwock but also overcoming fear and challenges.
The poem ends with a happy reunion:
“And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day!
Callooh! Callay!’
He chortled in his joy.”
The father is overjoyed and proud of his son’s bravery, celebrating the hero’s success.
The poem wraps up by returning to its whimsical beginning:
“’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.”
In “The Jabberwocky,” Lewis Carroll combines fantasy and adventure to create a timeless story. It encourages us to be courageous and use our imagination, showing that even the most fantastical tales can teach us important lessons.
Create Your Own Creature: Using your imagination, draw a picture of a creature that might live in the world of “The Jabberwocky.” Give your creature a name and write a short description of its special features and abilities. Think about how it moves, what sounds it makes, and what it likes to do. Share your drawing and description with a friend or family member and explain why your creature would fit into the poem’s whimsical world.
Word Play Adventure: Lewis Carroll used playful and made-up words in his poem. Try creating your own silly words! Write a short poem or a few sentences using these new words. Think about what they might mean and how they sound. You can even act out your poem with a friend, using your voice and movements to bring the words to life. Discuss how using imaginative language can make storytelling more fun and exciting.
Bravery in Everyday Life: The hero in “The Jabberwocky” shows bravery by facing the Jabberwock. Think about a time when you were brave. It could be trying something new, standing up for a friend, or speaking in front of the class. Draw a picture or write a few sentences about your brave moment. Share your story with the class or a family member, and talk about how being brave can help us overcome challenges in real life.
