Poem of the Week: 'Jabberwocky'

I hope that many of you are familiar with this poem already; but, for those of you who are not, enjoy your trip into the wild and wonderful world of Carroll's JABBERWOCK. Above all, look how he manages to tell a terrific story and paint a powerful picture - but using mostly his own made-up words...

Personally, I think the poem is far more fun WITHOUT trying to find specific meanings for all the different words - as it seems to work ANYWAY. However, if you are desperate to try and work out exactly what it all means, you might want to look at the wikipedia entry on the poem here. Alternatively, and far more fun, have a look at some of the parodies and, especially, the TRANSLATIONS of the poem on the following site, by clicking here.

And the poem? Here it is:

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!'

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought--

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

'And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'

He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.