’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrab
Explanation
The poem opens with a bizarre yet vivid scene. The speaker describes a strange landscape where peculiar creatures engage in odd activities. Words like brillig, slithy, and toves are entirely invented, yet they create a sense of mystery and otherworldliness.
This stanza sets the tone—a world where logic is bent, and language itself is playful.
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
Explanation
Here, a father (or elder) warns his son about three dangerous creatures: the Jabberwock, the Jubjub bird, and the Bandersnatch. The warning is urgent, filled with alliteration and menace.
The warning feels like a classic hero’s quest—a young warrior must face terrifying foes.
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.
Explanation
The hero arms himself with a vorpal sword—a word now famous in fantasy literature, suggesting extreme sharpness or magical power. He searches for his manxome foe before pausing under a Tumtum tree.
This stanza builds suspense—will he succeed?
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
Explanation
Suddenly, the Jabberwock appears! It moves whiffling through the tulgey wood, making a burbling sound. The creature is terrifying, with fiery eyes, but the hero stands firm.
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.
Explanation
The battle is swift—the hero strikes twice (One, two!), and the vorpal sword slices cleanly (snicker-snack). Victorious, he carries the Jabberwock’s head back galumphing.
The rhythm here mimics swordplay, making the fight feel quick and decisive.
“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!“
He chortled in his joy.
Explanation
The father rejoices! Words like beamish, frabjous, and chortled convey pure delight.
This moment is heartwarming—a father’s pride in his son’s bravery.
’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Explanation
The poem ends where it began, reinforcing the cyclical, dreamlike nature of the world. The nonsense words now feel familiar, wrapping up the tale in a neat, whimsical bow.
Word Meanings from Jabberwocky
- Brillig – Late afternoon (around 4 PM).
- Slithy – A blend of “slimy” and “lithe” (slippery and agile).
- Toves – Imaginary creatures (possibly like badgers, lizards, or corkscrews).
- Gyre – To spin or twist.
- Gimble – To make holes (like a corkscrew).
- Wabe – The grassy area around a sundial.
- Mimsy – A mix of “miserable” and “flimsy.”
- Borogoves – Thin, shabby-looking birds.
- Mome raths – Possibly “lost” or “confused” creatures.
- Outgrabe – Squeaked or bellowed (past tense of an imaginary verb).
- Jabberwock – A fearsome monster with sharp jaws and claws.
- Jubjub bird – A dangerous, shrieking bird.
- Frumious – A mix of “fuming” and “furious.”
- Bandersnatch – A fast, aggressive creature.
- Vorpal – Extremely sharp or magical (now a famous fantasy term).
- Manxome – Possibly “monstrous” or “fearsome.”
- Tumtum tree – An imaginary tree.
- Uffish – A state of deep thought (perhaps “huffy” or “puffed up”).
- Whiffling – Moving quickly with a whistling or sniffling sound.
- Tulgey – Dark, dense, and tangled (describing the woods).
- Burbled – Made a bubbling or gurgling noise.
- Snicker-snack – The sound of a swift sword slash.
- Galumphing – Stomping or bounding triumphantly.
- Beamish – Bright, cheerful, and smiling.
- Frabjous – A mix of “fabulous” and “joyous.”
- Callooh! Callay! – Exclamations of joy (like “hooray!”).
- Chortled – A blend of “chuckle” and “snort” (now a real English word).
What’s your favorite line from Jabberwocky? Let me know in the comments!
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son—the jaws that bite, the claws that catch“
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