Summary
Jabberwocky, penned by Lewis Carroll in 1871, is a famous nonsense poem found within the novel "Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There," which was the sequel to "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." This seven-stanza poem is renowned for its whimsical language, for it contains nonsensical words that weave an enchanting tapestry of fantasy and adventure.
The poem opens with an idyllic description of a wondrous afternoon landscape and the strange creatures that reside within it—we learn that they are called toves, raths, and borogoves. In the shadowy realm of a dense forest, a father's grave warning hangs heavy over his adventure-seeking son, who is the hero of the poem. The father had previously warned his son of a monstrous creature called the "Jabberwock," with its sharp teeth, powerful jaws, and swift claws, lurking amidst the trees. We also learn about two other sinister creatures, like the scary Jubjub bird and the angry Bandersnatch, both prowling around and looking for victims.
Undeterred by these warnings, the son clutches his trusty "vorpal sword" and sets off on a perilous quest to slay this mythical beast called the Jabberwock. His journey winds through fantastical landscapes, and our brave hero presses on for days in search of the fearsome creature. Finally, he takes a breather beside a tree. He is frustrated, weary, and contemplating his next move. Just then, the menacing Jabberwock appears. This speedy and dangerous entity is only hinted at through flashes of its "eyes of flame" and its "burbling" voice. A mighty clash erupts in a whirlwind of flashing claws and desperate sword parries. But the hero of the poem stands his ground, fueled by courage and his father's warnings. With a final, decisive stroke, his "vorpal sword" lands a killing blow. The Jabberwock crumbles, defeated, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Victorious, the son emerges from the shadows, with the Jabberwock's head held high. When he gets home, his father welcomes him with an exuberant embrace and cries of joy. All is well with the world once again. To signal this, the poem closes as it once began, with a last glance at the fantastical land of the Jabberwock and the other peculiar creatures that live within its realm.
