Today, we’re diving into a fun and whimsical poem that’s filled with words that might seem like gibberish at first. But don’t worry, they all come together to tell an exciting story. Let’s explore “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll and see if you can follow along with the adventure!
The poem begins with a strange and magical world:
‘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, a father warns his son:
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
The son bravely takes his sword:
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.
Suddenly, 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 battle begins:
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 father is overjoyed:
“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O delightful day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.
The poem ends as it began:
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Even though many words in “Jabberwocky” are made up, they create a vivid picture of a fantastical world. Lewis Carroll uses these words to spark our imagination and make us think about what they might mean. For example, “slithy” might make you think of something slimy and lithe, while “vorpal” suggests a sharp and powerful sword.
Did you know that Lewis Carroll wrote “Jabberwocky” as part of his book “Through the Looking-Glass”? It’s a sequel to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Carroll was a master of playing with language, and “Jabberwocky” is a great example of his creativity.
Why not try making up your own nonsense words? Think about how they sound and what they might mean. You could even write your own short poem or story using them. It’s a fun way to play with language and let your imagination run wild!
Imagine you’re in a world like the one in “Jabberwocky.” Use your creativity to invent new words and write a short poem. Think about how your words sound and what they might mean. Share your poem with the class and explain your invented words.
Draw a scene from the poem using your imagination. What do the “slithy toves” and “mome raths” look like? How do you picture the Jabberwock? Use colors and details to bring your vision of this fantastical world to life.
Choose a few nonsense words from the poem and come up with possible meanings for each. Discuss with your classmates how these words contribute to the mood and imagery of the poem. How do they make you feel?
Work in groups to perform a dramatic reading of “Jabberwocky.” Use your voice, facial expressions, and gestures to convey the excitement and whimsy of the poem. Consider adding sound effects for the battle scene!
Create a class dictionary of the nonsense words from “Jabberwocky.” Each student can contribute a word with a definition and an illustration. Compile the entries into a book that showcases your class’s interpretations.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
Today we have a delightful treat for you. This poem is full of seemingly nonsensical words that somehow manage to make sense. Ready to see if you can follow along? Without further ado, we present: “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll.
‘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 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 hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O delightful 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.
—
This version maintains the essence of the original while ensuring clarity and appropriateness.
Nonsense – Words or ideas that are silly or have no meaning. – The poem was filled with delightful nonsense that made everyone laugh.
Poem – A piece of writing that expresses emotions, experiences, or ideas, often in a rhythmic and imaginative way. – In English class, we read a beautiful poem about the changing seasons.
Adventure – An exciting or unusual experience, often involving exploration or risk. – The novel took us on an adventure through a magical land full of surprises.
Jabberwock – A fictional creature from Lewis Carroll’s poem “Jabberwocky,” known for its fearsome nature. – The hero bravely faced the Jabberwock in the enchanted forest.
Father – A male parent or a person who takes on the role of a male parent. – In the story, the father shared his wisdom and guided his children through their challenges.
Sword – A weapon with a long metal blade and a handle, used in battles and duels. – The knight drew his sword, ready to defend the kingdom from invaders.
Battle – A fight or conflict between opposing forces, often part of a larger war. – The epic battle between good and evil was the climax of the story.
Imagination – The ability to create ideas or pictures in your mind, often leading to creative expression. – Her imagination transformed the ordinary garden into a magical realm.
Language – A system of words and symbols used to communicate thoughts and ideas. – The author used rich language to paint vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.
Creativity – The use of imagination to produce original ideas or things. – The writer’s creativity shone through in the unique plot twists of the novel.
