1. You can often tell the part of speech of a word even if you do not understand it. Identify the part of speech of three of the made-up words in this poem. Explain how you arrived at each answer. (Three made-up words are wade, gimble, gyre).
2. How can a poem like "Jabberwocky" give readers a better understanding of language?
Twas bryllyg, and ye slythy toves
Did gyre and gymble in ye wabe:
The "did" indicates that the following words are verbs.
"in" is a preposition, requiring a noun as an object.
Carroll's nonsense poem, poking fun at literary pretensions, has been studied far too seriously, according to G.K. Chesterton, who said said,
"Poor, poor, little Alice! She has not only been caught and made to do lessons; she has been forced to inflict lessons on others."
Still, it is fun to analyze, as it makes such creative use of language structures and strictures.
What about question #2?
A: A poem like "Jabberwocky" can give readers a better understanding of language as it makes such creative use of language structures and strictures?
Oh, nevermind. I have written my own answer. Nevertheless, thank you for your assistance.
1. To identify the part of speech of a word, you need to analyze its usage and context within a sentence. While the words "wade," "gimble," and "gyre" are made-up and therefore not found in a standard dictionary, we can still determine their part of speech based on their position and function within the poem.
- "Wade": In the line "All mimsy were the borogoves, / And the mome raths outgrabe," the word "wade" is used as a verb. The phrase "and the mome raths outgrabe" gives us a clue that "wade" may be an action described by the verb. To confirm this, we can consider the common meaning of "wade," which is to walk through water or a deep substance. Therefore, we can conclude that "wade" is used as a verb in the poem.
- "Gimble": In the line "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! / The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!," the word "gimble" is used as a verb. The phrase "the jaws that bite, the claws that catch" suggests that "gimble" may be an action described by the verb. Although "gimble" is not a recognizable word, the suffix "-le" typically indicates a verb. In addition, the context suggests an action, so we can infer that "gimble" is used as a verb in the poem.
- "Gyre": In the line "He took his vorpal sword in hand: / Long time the manxome foe he sought," the word "gyre" is used as a verb. The phrase "he took his vorpal sword in hand" implies that "gyre" is a subsequent action. Although "gyre" is a made-up word, its usage corresponds to the action of the character taking his sword and seeking the foe. This indicates that "gyre" is used as a verb in the poem.
2. Poems like "Jabberwocky" can provide readers with a better understanding of language by stretching the boundaries of word usage and demonstrating the creative possibilities of language. "Jabberwocky" uses made-up words and nonsensical phrases to construct a narrative. The poem challenges readers to decipher and interpret these invented words and phrases based on their context and linguistic patterns.
By engaging with "Jabberwocky," readers are encouraged to think critically about language and its intricacies. They must rely on their knowledge of grammar, syntax, and context to extract meaning from unfamiliar vocabulary. This process can improve their overall understanding of how language functions by prompting them to consider alternative meanings, experiment with wordplay, and embrace ambiguity.
Additionally, "Jabberwocky" can enhance readers' creativity and imagination. The poem demonstrates the power of words to evoke vivid imagery and emotions, even when their meanings are not immediately graspable. Through this imaginative exploration, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and versatility of language.