'The Jumblies' by Edward Lear


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I
They went to sea in a Sieve, they did,
In a Sieve they went to sea:
In spite of all their friends could say,
On a winter's morn, on a stormy day,
In a Sieve they went to sea!
And when the Sieve turned round and round,
And every one cried, 'You'll all be drowned!'
They called aloud, 'Our Sieve ain't big,
But we don't care a button! we don't care a fig!
In a Sieve we'll go to sea!'
Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
And they went to sea in a Sieve.


II
They sailed away in a Sieve, they did,
In a Sieve they sailed so fast,
With only a beautiful pea-green veil
Tied with a riband by way of a sail,
To a small tobacco-pipe mast;
And every one said, who saw them go,
'O won't they be soon upset, you know!
For the sky is dark, and the voyage is long,
And happen what may, it's extremely wrong
In a Sieve to sail so fast!'
Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
And they went to sea in a Sieve.


III
The water it soon came in, it did,
The water it soon came in;
So to keep them dry, they wrapped their feet
In a pinky paper all folded neat,
And they fastened it down with a pin.
And they passed the night in a crockery-jar,
And each of them said, 'How wise we are!
Though the sky be dark, and the voyage be long,
Yet we never can think we were rash or wrong,
While round in our Sieve we spin!'
Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
And they went to sea in a Sieve.


IV
And all night long they sailed away;
And when the sun went down,
They whistled and warbled a moony song
To the echoing sound of a coppery gong,
In the shade of the mountains brown.
'O Timballo! How happy we are,
When we live in a Sieve and a crockery-jar,
And all night long in the moonlight pale,
We sail away with a pea-green sail,
In the shade of the mountains brown!'
Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
And they went to sea in a Sieve.


V
They sailed to the Western Sea, they did,
To a land all covered with trees,
And they bought an Owl, and a useful Cart,
And a pound of Rice, and a Cranberry Tart,
And a hive of silvery Bees.
And they bought a Pig, and some green Jack-daws,
And a lovely Monkey with lollipop paws,
And forty bottles of Ring-Bo-Ree,
And no end of Stilton Cheese.
Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
And they went to sea in a Sieve.


VI
And in twenty years they all came back,
In twenty years or more,
And every one said, 'How tall they've grown!
For they've been to the Lakes, and the Torrible Zone,
And the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
And they drank their health, and gave them a feast
Of dumplings made of beautiful yeast;
And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
And they went to sea in a Sieve.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Jumblies by Edward Lear: A Delightful and Wondrous Journey

As a lover of children's literature, I have always been fascinated by the magic and whimsy that can be found in the pages of a classic fairytale or nursery rhyme. And one such work that has captured my heart over the years is "The Jumblies" by the great Edward Lear.

With its playful rhythm, imaginative language, and charming illustrations, this poem takes us on a journey unlike any other, filled with wonder, adventure, and a healthy dose of nonsense.

But what makes "The Jumblies" such a beloved classic, and what insights can we glean from its fanciful verses? In this literary criticism and interpretation, I aim to explore these questions and more, uncovering the hidden meanings and themes that lie beneath the surface of this delightful poem.

The Jumblies: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into the deeper analysis, let's take a moment to recap the story of "The Jumblies" for those who may not be familiar with it.

The poem tells the tale of a group of adventurers known as the Jumblies, who set sail in a sieve (yes, a sieve) to see the world and have as many adventures as possible. Along the way, they encounter a variety of strange creatures and landscapes, from giant whales to fields of quangle-wangles, and eventually arrive at a land "where the Bong-tree grows."

Despite the many challenges they face and the oddities they encounter, the Jumblies remain determined and cheerful, always looking for the next adventure and the next opportunity to explore the world around them. And in the end, they return home to their friends and family, having lived a life full of wonder and excitement.

The Playful Language of "The Jumblies"

One of the most striking features of "The Jumblies" is its use of playful and imaginative language. From the very first line ("They went to sea in a sieve, they did"), Lear sets the tone for a whimsical and nonsensical journey, filled with made-up words and fantastical creatures.

For example, we meet the "runcible spoon" and the "bong-tree," both of which have become iconic parts of the poem's lexicon. And we encounter creatures like the "blue baboon" and the "jumbly girl," each described in vivid detail and with a sense of wonder and awe.

But while the language of "The Jumblies" may seem nonsensical at first glance, it is also rich with meaning and symbolism. Many of the made-up words and phrases have deeper connotations, and the characters and creatures we meet along the way can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

Themes and Symbolism in "The Jumblies"

One of the key themes of "The Jumblies" is the idea of adventure and exploration. The Jumblies are portrayed as intrepid explorers, setting out to see the world and experience all it has to offer. And despite the many challenges they face along the way, they remain steadfast in their determination to live life to the fullest.

This theme of exploration can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience, and the poem can be read as a celebration of the human spirit and our innate desire to seek out new experiences and knowledge.

Another important theme in "The Jumblies" is the power of imagination and creativity. The Jumblies are able to embark on their incredible journey because they refuse to be constrained by the limitations of reality. Instead, they use their imaginations to create a world that is full of wonder and magic.

This theme of imagination is particularly relevant in today's world, where technology and the pressures of modern life can sometimes stifle our creativity and sense of possibility. "The Jumblies" serves as a reminder that we can still explore new worlds and embark on exciting adventures, as long as we are willing to use our imaginations and embrace the unknown.

Conclusion: The Magic of "The Jumblies"

In conclusion, "The Jumblies" is a true gem of children's literature, filled with magic, wonder, and a healthy dose of nonsense. Through its playful language, vivid imagery, and fantastical characters, it invites us to explore the world around us with a sense of curiosity and wonder, and to embrace our innate desire for adventure and exploration.

At the same time, the poem also carries deeper themes and messages, reminding us of the power of imagination and creativity, and the importance of living life to the fullest. It is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of generations of readers, and will continue to inspire and delight for many years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Jumblies: A Whimsical Tale of Adventure and Imagination

Edward Lear's "The Jumblies" is a classic poem that has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers for generations. With its playful language, vivid imagery, and whimsical characters, this poem is a delightful journey into the world of fantasy and adventure.

The poem tells the story of a group of Jumblies who set out on a voyage to a far-off land. The Jumblies are a curious and adventurous group, with heads made of straw and feet made of green cheese. They set sail in a sieve, with a small amount of honey and plenty of money wrapped up in a five-pound note.

As they sail across the sea, the Jumblies encounter a variety of strange and wonderful creatures, including a pig with a ring in its nose, a turkey with a wooden leg, and a cat with a luminous nose. They also encounter a variety of natural wonders, such as a sea that is made of lemonade and a sky that is made of jam.

Despite the challenges they face, the Jumblies remain determined to reach their destination. They sing and dance and play their instruments, enjoying every moment of their journey. And when they finally arrive at the land of the Jumblies, they are greeted with open arms and celebrated as heroes.

At its core, "The Jumblies" is a celebration of imagination and creativity. The Jumblies are not bound by the limitations of the real world; they are free to explore and discover new things, to create their own reality. They are not afraid to take risks or to embrace the unknown, and they are rewarded for their courage and curiosity.

The poem is also a commentary on the power of community and the importance of friendship. The Jumblies are not alone on their journey; they have each other, and they work together to overcome the challenges they face. They support and encourage one another, and they celebrate each other's successes. In the end, it is their friendship and camaraderie that make their journey so meaningful and rewarding.

Lear's use of language in "The Jumblies" is both playful and poetic. He creates a world that is both familiar and fantastical, using vivid imagery and clever wordplay to bring his characters and settings to life. His use of repetition and rhyme adds to the whimsical nature of the poem, making it a joy to read aloud.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of nonsense language. Words like "runcible" and "borogoves" have no real meaning, but they add to the sense of whimsy and playfulness that permeates the poem. Lear's use of nonsense language is not just for fun, however; it also serves to create a sense of otherness and distance from the real world. By using words that are unfamiliar and strange, Lear creates a sense of magic and wonder that is essential to the poem's message.

"The Jumblies" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers of all ages. Its message of imagination, creativity, and friendship is as relevant today as it was when Lear first wrote it. The Jumblies remind us that we are not bound by the limitations of the real world, and that we are free to explore and discover new things. They also remind us of the importance of community and the power of friendship. In a world that can often be harsh and unforgiving, "The Jumblies" is a welcome reminder of the joy and wonder that can be found in the simplest things.

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