# The Nutcrackers and the Sugar Tongs — Nonsense Books character guide

> The Nutcrackers and the Sugar Tongs in Nonsense Books by Edward Lear.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Nutcrackers, the Tongs, Mr. Tongs

**First appearance:** 0033-the-nutcrackers-and-the-sugar-tongs

## Snapshot

Two restless kitchen utensils who abandon the dinner table for ponies, blue hills, and a one-way ride out of their stifling domestic existence.

## Who they are

The Nutcrackers and the Sugar-Tongs sit idle beside a plate, weary of a life spent cracking and snapping while everyone else rides off to pleasure. Their answer is a sudden, gleeful mutiny: downstairs, out the stable door, onto cream-colored ponies, while cups, saucers, and frying-pans erupt in scandalized amazement behind them. What begins as a lark hardens into a vow never to return, making them the book's purest emblem of escape.

## In the story

### [The Nutcrackers and the Sugar-Tongs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/the-nutcrackers-and-the-sugar-tongs)

The Nutcrackers and the Sugar-Tongs are the main characters who decide to ride horses and escape their mundane life.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/i)

The Nutcrackers and Sugar-tongs are seated by a plate, discontent with their idle life and longing for adventure.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/ii)

The Nutcrackers and the Sugar Tongs discuss and decide to go for a ride without saddles or bridles.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/iii)

They lead the escape, taking ponies and riding off.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/v)

Participants in the great race, riding cream-colored ponies.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/vi)

They ride through the street to the shore, vowing never to return, and fade away.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters/the_nutcrackers_and_sugar_tongs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters