A Jumblie is a whimsical creature from Edward Lear’s renowned nonsense poem, “The Jumblies.” These beings are central to a narrative of adventure and exploration, a product of Lear’s imagination designed to evoke curiosity and delight.
The World of Edward Lear’s Nonsense
Edward Lear, born in 1812, is a foundational figure in literary nonsense. His work, including “The Jumblies,” published in 1872 in “Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets,” contrasted serious literature of his era. Lear infused his creations with playfulness and absurdity, establishing a unique, captivating style.
Nonsense poetry features humorous verse with absurd characters and actions. It often incorporates invented words that are evocative but meaningless, creating playful illogicality. This genre embraces sound, rhythm, and wordplay, defying strict meaning while adhering to structural rules, making it entertaining and memorable. Lear’s mastery of this style is evident in his use of invented terms and vivid, often surreal, imagery.
Who Are the Jumblies
The Jumblies are unusual beings with green heads and blue hands. Their adventure begins as they embark on a sea voyage in an improbable vessel: a sieve. Despite warnings from others of drowning, the Jumblies set sail on a stormy winter’s day.
They wrap their feet in pinky paper, secured with a pin, and spend the night in a crockery-jar to prevent water entry. Their journey takes them to the “great Gromboolian Plain,” a tree-covered land in the Western Sea. There, they acquire an assortment of peculiar items:
An owl
A cart
Rice
A cranberry tart
Silver bees
A pig
Green jack-daws
A monkey with lollipop paws
Bottles of Ring-Bo-Ree
Stilton cheese
After approximately twenty years, the Jumblies return home, taller and laden with treasures, prompting their original doubters to consider similar voyages.
The Enduring Appeal of the Jumblies
“The Jumblies” is popular due to its themes of adventure, imagination, and perseverance. The poem encourages readers to embrace the absurd and pursue dreams despite skepticism, commenting on societal pressures and individuality. The Jumblies’ decision to sail in a sieve, an impractical vessel, symbolizes the pursuit of impossible goals and the triumph of the unconventional.
Lear’s whimsical language, memorable imagery, and recurring refrain create a musical quality, enhancing its charm. Its blend of the absurd with messages about risk-taking and nonconformity resonates across generations. The poem’s enduring place in children’s literature inspires creativity and a sense of wonder, inviting readers to engage with a world where the illogical can lead to remarkable journeys.