'The Table And The Chair' by Edward Lear
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Said the table to the chair,
"You can scarcely be aware
How I suffer from the heat
And from blisters on my feet!
If we took a little walk
We might have a little talk.
Pray, let us take the air!"
Said the table to the chair.
Said the chair unto the table,
"Now you know we are not able!
How foolishly you talk
When you know we cannot walk!"
Said the table with a sigh,
"It can do no harm to try.
I've as many legs as you.
Why can't we walk on two?"
So they both went slowly down,
And walked about the town,
With a cheerful bumpy sound
As they toddled all around.
And everybody cried
As they ran up to their side
"See! The table and the chair
Have come out to take the air!"
But, in going down an alley,
To the castle, in the valley,
They completely lost their way
And they wandered all the day
‘Til, to see them safely back,
They paid a ducky-quack
And a beetle and a mouse
To take them to their house.
Then they whispered to each other
"Oh delightful little brother!
What a lovely walk we've taken!
Let us dine on beans and bacon!"
So the ducky and the little
Brownie-mousey and the beetle
Dined, and danced upon their heads,
‘Til they toddled to their beds.
Submitted by Conor
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Table And The Chair: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Do I have a treat for you today! Today, we're going to dive deep into the world of Edward Lear's classic poem, The Table And The Chair. This delightful piece of literature has been entertaining readers for over 150 years, and today we're going to explore why.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a look at its author, Edward Lear. Born in England in 1812, Lear is best known for his nonsense poetry, particularly his limericks. He was also an artist, and his illustrations accompanied many of his poems. Lear suffered from epilepsy throughout his life, and it's been suggested that his nonsensical writing may have been a way for him to deal with the isolation and discrimination he faced because of his condition.
The Table And The Chair was first published in 1871 as part of Lear's collection of poetry and prose called Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets. This poem stands out from Lear's other works because of its longer length and more intricate rhyme scheme.
The Poem
Without further ado, let's take a look at The Table And The Chair:
Said the Table to the Chair,
'You can hardly be aware,
How I suffer from the heat,
And from chilblains on my feet!
If we took a little walk,
We might have a little talk!
Pray let us take the air!'
Said the Table to the Chair.
Said the Chair unto the Table,
'Now, you know we are not able!
How foolishly you talk,
When you know we cannot walk!'
Said the Table with a sigh,
'It can do no harm to try,
I've as many legs as you,
Why can't we walk on two?'
So they both went slowly down,
And walked about the town,
With a cheerful bumpy sound,
As they toddled round and round.
And everybody cried,
As they hastened to their side,
'See! the Table and the Chair
Have come out to take the air!'
But in going down an alley,
To a castle in a valley,
They completely lost their way,
And wandered all the day,
Till, to see them safely back,
They paid a Ducky-quack,
And a Beetle, and a Mouse,
Who took them to their house.
Then they whispered to each other,
'O delightful little brother!
What a lovely walk we've taken!
Let us dine on beans and bacon!'
So the Ducky and the leetle
Browny Mousy and the Beetle
Dined, and danced upon their heads,
Till they toddled to their beds.
Isn't it delightful? On the surface, the poem is a simple tale of two pieces of furniture taking a walk and getting lost. But as with all good literature, there's more going on beneath the surface.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in The Table And The Chair is the idea of companionship. The Table and the Chair may seem like an odd pair, but they clearly care for each other and enjoy each other's company. The Table even suggests that they take a walk together, despite the Chair's protests. This willingness to compromise and support each other is a hallmark of a strong friendship, and it's heartwarming to see it on display here.
Another theme that emerges is the idea of adventure. The Table and the Chair are clearly excited to be on their little outing, and they embrace the journey, even when things don't go as planned. This sense of adventure is something that many of us can relate to, and it's a reminder that even the simplest of outings can bring unexpected surprises.
Finally, there's an element of absurdity in the poem that is typical of Lear's work. After all, we're talking about a Table and a Chair going for a walk! But this absurdity is what makes the poem so enjoyable. It's fun to imagine inanimate objects coming to life and embarking on adventures of their own. This absurdity also serves as a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously and to embrace the whimsy of life.
Literary Devices
Lear employs a number of literary devices in The Table And The Chair that enhance the poem's impact. For example, the poem's rhyme scheme is intricate and playful. The AABBCCDD rhyme scheme of the first stanza is gradually undone as the poem progresses, with the final stanza featuring rhymes that are more loosely connected. This mirrors the Table and Chair's journey, which starts off structured and orderly but becomes more chaotic as they get lost.
The poem also features a number of allusions to other works of literature. The mention of the "castle in a valley" is a nod to the fairy tale trope of the hero getting lost in the woods and stumbling upon a castle. The reference to the Ducky-quack, Beetle, and Mouse is a nod to Aesop's fables, which often feature anthropomorphic animals.
Finally, Lear's use of personification is what truly brings the poem to life. By giving human qualities to the Table and the Chair, Lear makes them relatable and sympathetic characters. We can imagine them toddling about the town and getting lost, just like we might. This use of personification is what makes the poem so enduring and memorable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Table And The Chair is a delightful poem that has stood the test of time. Through its themes of companionship, adventure, and absurdity, it reminds us of the joy to be found in the simple things in life. Lear's use of literary devices such as an intricate rhyme scheme, allusions to other works of literature, and personification, bring the poem to life and make it both relatable and memorable. So the next time you're feeling a little down, take a page from The Table And The Chair's book and go for a walk with a friend. You might be surprised at where your journey takes you!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Table And The Chair: A Classic Poem by Edward Lear
Edward Lear is a renowned poet who is famous for his nonsensical and humorous poems. One of his most popular works is "The Table And The Chair," a poem that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. This poem is a perfect example of Lear's unique style, which combines wit, humor, and absurdity to create a delightful reading experience. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the table and the chair having a conversation. The table is complaining about the chair's behavior, saying that it is always trying to sit on its lap. The chair, on the other hand, argues that it is only trying to be friendly and that the table is too stiff and formal. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of playful banter and witty remarks.
As the conversation continues, the table and the chair start to discuss their respective roles. The table claims that it is the most important piece of furniture in the room, as it is where people eat and work. The chair, however, argues that it is just as important, as it is where people sit and relax. This argument leads to a humorous exchange, with the table and the chair trying to one-up each other.
The poem then takes a surreal turn, with the table and the chair discussing their dreams. The table dreams of being a ship, sailing on the sea, while the chair dreams of being a horse, galloping through the fields. This shift in tone is typical of Lear's style, which often includes unexpected twists and turns.
The poem ends with the table and the chair reconciling their differences and agreeing to work together. They realize that they are both important pieces of furniture and that they need each other to function properly. This ending is a perfect example of Lear's message of unity and cooperation, which is a common theme in his work.
One of the most striking features of "The Table And The Chair" is its use of personification. By giving human qualities to inanimate objects, Lear creates a world that is both familiar and fantastical. The table and the chair are not just pieces of furniture, but characters with personalities and emotions. This technique is a hallmark of Lear's style and is one of the reasons why his work has endured for so long.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of rhyme and rhythm. Lear's poems are known for their catchy and memorable rhymes, which make them easy to recite and remember. "The Table And The Chair" is no exception, with its playful rhymes and sing-song rhythm. This makes the poem a joy to read aloud and is one of the reasons why it has become a classic.
In conclusion, "The Table And The Chair" is a delightful poem that showcases Edward Lear's unique style. Through its use of personification, rhyme, and humor, the poem creates a world that is both absurd and charming. The table and the chair are not just pieces of furniture, but characters that we can relate to and empathize with. This makes the poem a timeless classic that will continue to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
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