THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT

by Edward Lear

I

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, “O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!”

II

Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?” They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-Tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.

III

“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.” So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.

Description of The Poem

The poem comprises the love of Owl and Pussy Cat who get married in a strange place where Bon trees grow.

Summary

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat’ by Edward Lear is a simple nonsense, joy-filled poem that tells the marriage story of an owl and a cat which starts with the boat journey of them two. They decide to get married after they profess their love to each other. They need to find a ring and their search takes them to a pig. That pig sells its nose ring to them for one shilling and soon, they get married. After that, they celebrate their marriage and the poem ends with the owl and pussy-cat dancing under the moon.

Themes

Love, marriage and joy.

The writer has used his imagination to create a world where there is no sorrow, suffering or obstacles. The two-way conversation helps the readers understand how the world of happiness can help lovers even if they are not compatible in other ways. In this world, the two lovers are free to enter. It offers them a permanent joy and lifelong companionship.

Settings

Places

- At the sea

- In the pea-green boat

- The land where the Bong-Tree grows

- In the wood

- The edge of the sand

Time

- At night

- A year and a day

Values

Patience

Owl and the Pussy Cat sailed away for a year and a day, to the land where the Bong-Tree grows and there's a Piggy-wig stood with a ring at the end of his nose. They bought the ring from the Piggy and got married the next day.

Love

True love will be achieved no matter what the partitions and obstacles are if both lovers work for it and never gives up. Different status or background is not a barrier for lovers to achieve their true love. Hard work and faith is the key to it.

Joy

The excitement and feelings of happiness along the journey of love that end with marriage between the Owl and Pussy Cat.

Reference

https://poemanalysis.com/edward-lear/the-owl-and-the-pussy-cat/