Nonsense Books · Chapter
Twenty-Six Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures explained
A collection of twenty-six whimsical and absurd character portraits, each describing a fantastical creature or person with peculiar habits and nonsensical attributes, from the abstemious Ass to the zealous Zebra.
What happens
A collection of twenty-six whimsical and absurd character portraits, each describing a fantastical creature or person with peculiar habits and nonsensical attributes, from the abstemious Ass to the zealous Zebra.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Lady Jingly’s tearful confession that she already has a mate in England delivers the emotional peak of unfulfi…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nonsense and Absurdity
The entire chapter is a parade of absurd characters and impossible actions, such as a fish walking on stilts and an elephant ferrying himself with a poker and earrings.
- Self-Identity and Eccentricity
Each character is defined by a singular, eccentric trait or habit, celebrating individuality and peculiarity.
Characters to notice
- The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò
Described as having a head much bigger than his body and a rather small hat.
- King Xerxes
Mentioned as the Excellent Double-extra XX imbibing King Xerxes who lived a long while ago.
- The Melodious Meritorious Mouse
Played a merry minuet on the Pianoforte.
- The Nutritious Newt
Purchased a Round Plum-pudding for his granddaughter.
- The Scroobious Snake
Always wore a Hat on his Head for fear he should bite anybody.
Key passages
“The Absolutely Abstemious Ass, who resided in a Barrel, and only lived on Soda Water and Pickled Cucumbers.”
A completely self-denying donkey lived in a barrel and survived solely on soda water and pickled cucumbers.
Introduces the first character with an absurdly restrictive diet and dwelling.
“The Dolomphious Duck, who caught Spotted Frogs for her dinner with a Runcible Spoon.”
A duck with a peculiar name used a runcible spoon to catch spotted frogs for her meal.
Highlights the nonsensical use of a runcible spoon, a recurring object in Lear's nonsense.
“The Fizzgiggious Fish, who always walked about upon Stilts, because he had no legs.”
A fish that had no legs compensated by walking on stilts.
Exemplifies the absurd logic of the characters.
“The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò, whose Head was ever so much bigger than his Body, and whose Hat was rather small.”
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò had a head much larger than his body and a hat that was too small.
Describes a character with disproportionate features, a common theme in Lear's work.
