Jabberwocky is such an interesting poem because it is created with a ton of nonsense words, and yet the way it is put together definitely brings about a mood, such that the reader still feels like they understand a lot of what’s going on.
This is a great poem to share with your kids. Â You can read it out loud in different ways, deciding which way you all think is truest to what the poem is about. Â You can take the opportunity to write down a few of the nonsense words and ask your kids to define them. Â (Hey! Â There are no wrong answers, but it’s a great opportunity for fun, to think, and to communicate their thoughts.)
Jabberwocky
by Lewis Carroll, 1872
`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, has 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.
