"Jabberwocky": One of literature's best bits of nonsense
-
0:01 - 0:04Today we have a frabjous treat for you.
-
0:04 - 0:08This poem is full of seemingly
nonsensical words -
0:08 - 0:10that somehow manage to make sense.
-
0:10 - 0:13Ready to see if you can follow along?
-
0:13 - 0:16Without further ado, we present:
-
0:16 - 0:19"Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll.
-
0:21 - 0:26’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: -
0:26 - 0:31All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe. -
0:33 - 0:39“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! -
0:39 - 0:44Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!” -
0:46 - 0:52He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought— -
0:52 - 0:58So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought. -
1:00 - 1:07And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, -
1:07 - 1:12Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came! -
1:12 - 1:15One, two! One, two!
And through and through -
1:15 - 1:18The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
-
1:18 - 1:23He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. -
1:26 - 1:32“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy! -
1:32 - 1:35O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
-
1:37 - 1:39He chortled in his joy.
-
1:40 - 1:46’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: -
1:46 - 1:52All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
- Title:
- "Jabberwocky": One of literature's best bits of nonsense
- Speaker:
- Lewis Carroll
- Description:
-
View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/jabberwocky-one-of-literature-s-best-bits-of-nonsense
As Alice wanders through the dreamscape of Looking-Glass Land in Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There," she happens across a book written in an unintelligible language. Inside, she discovers an epic poem filled with nonsense, fearsome creatures, and whimsical language. Dive into Carroll's legendary poem, "Jabberwocky" and see if you can make sense of the nonsense.
Poem by Lewis Carroll, directed by Sjaak Rood.
- Video Language:
- English
- Team:
closed TED
- Project:
- TED-Ed
- Duration:
- 02:03
![]() |
Elise Haadsma approved English subtitles for "Jabberwocky": One of literature's best bits of nonsense | |
![]() |
Elise Haadsma accepted English subtitles for "Jabberwocky": One of literature's best bits of nonsense | |
![]() |
lauren mcalpine edited English subtitles for "Jabberwocky": One of literature's best bits of nonsense |