Introduction: “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
“The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear first appeared in 1877 in his collection Laughable Lyrics and has since become a cherished piece of nonsense literature, blending whimsical humor with profound melancholy. The poem tells the story of the Dong, a creature who, after losing his beloved Jumbly Girl, crafts a luminous nose to aid his nightly search for her across the dark and desolate Gromboolian plain. Its vivid imagery and lyrical rhythm captivate readers, with evocative lines like “When awful darkness and silence reign / Over the great Gromboolian plain” creating an atmospheric setting. The refrain, “The Dong with a luminous Nose!” underscores the pathos of the Dong’s eternal, futile quest, capturing universal themes of love, loss, and resilience. These qualities, combined with Lear’s inventive language and emotional depth, make it a favorite in literary anthologies and classrooms, where its humor and poignancy resonate with readers of all ages.
Text: “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
When awful darkness and silence reign
Over the great Gromboolian plain,
Through the long, long wintry nights; —
When the angry breakers roar
As they beat on the rocky shore; —
When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights
Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore: —
Then, through the vast and gloomy dark,
There moves what seems a fiery spark,
A lonely spark with silvery rays
Piercing the coal-black night, —
A Meteor strange and bright: —
Hither and thither the vision strays,
A single lurid light.
Slowly it wander, — pauses, — creeps, —
Anon it sparkles, — flashes and leaps;
And ever as onward it gleaming goes
A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.
And those who watch at that midnight hour
From Hall or Terrace, or lofty Tower,
Cry, as the wild light passes along, —
“The Dong! — the Dong!
“The wandering Dong through the forest goes!
“The Dong! the Dong!
“The Dong with a luminous Nose!”
Long years ago
The Dong was happy and gay,
Till he fell in love with a Jumbly Girl
Who came to those shores one day.
For the Jumblies came in a sieve, they did, —
Landing at eve near the Zemmery Fidd
Where the Oblong Oysters grow,
And the rocks are smooth and gray.
And all the woods and the valleys rang
With the Chorus they daily and nightly sang, —
“Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and the hands are blue
And they went to sea in a sieve.
Happily, happily passed those days!
While the cheerful Jumblies staid;
They danced in circlets all night long,
To the plaintive pipe of the lively Dong,
In moonlight, shine, or shade.
For day and night he was always there
By the side of the Jumbly Girl so fair,
With her sky-blue hands, and her sea-green hair.
Till the morning came of that hateful day
When the Jumblies sailed in their sieve away,
And the Dong was left on the cruel shore
Gazing — gazing for evermore, —
Ever keeping his weary eyes on
That pea-green sail on the far horizon, —
Singing the Jumbly Chorus still
As he sate all day on the grassy hill, —
“Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and the hands are blue
And they went to sea in a sieve.
But when the sun was low in the West,
The Dong arose and said;
— “What little sense I once possessed
Has quite gone out of my head!” —
And since that day he wanders still
By lake and forest, marsh and hills,
Singing — “O somewhere, in valley or plain
“Might I find my Jumbly Girl again!
“For ever I’ll seek by lake and shore
“Till I find my Jumbly Girl once more!”
Playing a pipe with silvery squeaks,
Since then his Jumbly Girl he seeks,
And because by night he could not see,
He gathered the bark of the Twangum Tree
On the flowery plain that grows.
And he wove him a wondrous Nose, —
A Nose as strange as a Nose could be!
Of vast proportions and painted red,
And tied with cords to the back of his head.
— In a hollow rounded space it ended
With a luminous Lamp within suspended,
All fenced about
With a bandage stout
To prevent the wind from blowing it out; —
And with holes all round to send the light,
In gleaming rays on the dismal night.
And now each night, and all night long,
Over those plains still roams the Dong;
And above the wail of the Chimp and Snipe
You may hear the squeak of his plaintive pipe
While ever he seeks, but seeks in vain
To meet with his Jumbly Girl again;
Lonely and wild — all night he goes, —
The Dong with a luminous Nose!
And all who watch at the midnight hour,
From Hall or Terrace, or lofty Tower,
Cry, as they trace the Meteor bright,
Moving along through the dreary night, —
“This is the hour when forth he goes,
“The Dong with a luminous Nose!
“Yonder — over the plain he goes;
“He goes!
“He goes;
“The Dong with a luminous Nose!”
Annotations: “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
| Stanza | Annotation |
| 1: “When awful darkness and silence reign…” | Sets an eerie and desolate tone, describing the “Gromboolian plain” as a vast, cold, and isolated landscape. The imagery of storm-clouds and roaring breakers conveys a sense of foreboding and mystery. |
| 2: “Then, through the vast and gloomy dark…” | Introduces the luminous figure of the Dong, described as a “fiery spark” or “meteor.” The stanza emphasizes his otherworldly appearance and the fascination he evokes as he illuminates the night with his glowing nose. |
| 3: “Slowly it wander, — pauses, — creeps…” | Focuses on the movements of the Dong. His erratic, wandering light evokes both curiosity and sorrow. The Bong-tree stems reflect the light, adding to the magical atmosphere and reinforcing the Dong’s mystique. |
| 4: “Long years ago / The Dong was happy and gay…” | Explains the Dong’s backstory. He was joyful until he fell in love with the Jumbly Girl, a whimsical figure from Lear’s earlier works. Her distinct appearance (“sky-blue hands, sea-green hair”) highlights Lear’s fantastical imagery. |
| 5: “For the Jumblies came in a sieve, they did…” | References the Jumblies and their adventurous nature, as seen in Lear’s other nonsense poetry. Their jovial presence brings happiness to the Dong, reinforcing the fleeting nature of joy in his life. |
| 6: “Happily, happily passed those days…” | Describes the Dong’s happiness with the Jumbly Girl. The stanza reflects themes of idyllic love and connection, emphasizing their shared moments of dancing and companionship under the moonlight. |
| 7: “Till the morning came of that hateful day…” | Introduces tragedy as the Jumblies leave in their sieve, abandoning the Dong. His despair is palpable as he gazes longingly at the horizon, waiting in vain for their return, repeating their chorus as a sign of his enduring love. |
| 8: “But when the sun was low in the West…” | Highlights the Dong’s growing madness and sorrow. His loss of “sense” marks the beginning of his transformation into the wandering, luminous figure of the poem, eternally seeking his Jumbly Girl. |
| 9: “Playing a pipe with silvery squeaks…” | Describes the Dong’s creation of the luminous nose. The fantastical imagery of the nose, crafted from “Twangum Tree” bark and equipped with a lamp, underscores Lear’s playful imagination and the Dong’s resourcefulness. |
| 10: “And now each night, and all night long…” | Depicts the Dong’s ceaseless, plaintive search. The recurring motif of loneliness and longing is reinforced by the haunting sound of his pipe and the glow of his nose. |
| 11: “And all who watch at the midnight hour…” | Concludes with the watchers observing the Dong. The repetition of “The Dong with a luminous Nose!” emphasizes his mythical status and the tragedy of his eternal, unfulfilled quest. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
| Literary/Poetic Device | Example | Explanation |
| Alliteration | “Through the long, long wintry nights” | The repetition of the “l” sound emphasizes the prolonged, bleak nature of the nights. |
| Assonance | “Slowly it wander, — pauses, — creeps” | Repetition of the “o” and “a” vowel sounds creates a flowing, melodic rhythm, reflecting the Dong’s slow movements. |
| Atmosphere | “When awful darkness and silence reign” | The opening lines create an eerie and somber mood that sets the tone for the narrative. |
| Characterization | “Lonely and wild — all night he goes” | Describes the Dong’s emotions and behavior, highlighting his solitude and yearning. |
| Chorus/Refrain | “Far and few, far and few, / Are the lands where the Jumblies live” | The repeated lines emphasize the whimsical nature of the Jumblies and serve as a rhythmic anchor throughout the poem. |
| Contrast | “The Dong was happy and gay, / Till he fell in love” | Contrasts the Dong’s joyful past with his sorrowful present, underscoring his transformation. |
| Enjambment | “Over the great Gromboolian plain, / Through the long, long wintry nights” | The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond a line adds a sense of flow and movement. |
| Epiphany | “What little sense I once possessed / Has quite gone out of my head!” | Marks the Dong’s realization of his madness and loss, serving as a pivotal moment in the narrative. |
| Hyperbole | “A Nose as strange as a Nose could be!” | Exaggerates the oddity of the luminous nose to create humor and highlight the absurdity. |
| Imagery | “Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights / Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore” | Vivid descriptions appeal to the senses, creating a dramatic and visual picture of the landscape. |
| Irony | “They went to sea in a sieve” | Highlights the absurdity of the Jumblies’ actions, adding humor through the impracticality of the scenario. |
| Metaphor | “There moves what seems a fiery spark” | Compares the Dong’s luminous nose to a spark or meteor, emphasizing its brightness in the darkness. |
| Mood | “Gazing — gazing for evermore” | Evokes a sense of endless sorrow and longing through the repetitive and reflective phrasing. |
| Onomatopoeia | “With silvery squeaks” | The word “squeaks” imitates the high-pitched sound of the Dong’s pipe, enhancing the auditory imagery. |
| Personification | “When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights” | Attributes human characteristics to storm clouds, intensifying the foreboding atmosphere. |
| Repetition | “The Dong! — the Dong! / The Dong with a luminous Nose!” | Repeated phrases emphasize the Dong’s mythical status and the centrality of his luminous nose. |
| Rhyme | “And the Dong was left on the cruel shore / Gazing — gazing for evermore” | The end rhymes create a musical quality that enhances the poem’s rhythm and cohesion. |
| Symbolism | “A luminous Lamp within suspended” | The luminous nose symbolizes hope, resilience, and the Dong’s enduring love for the Jumbly Girl. |
| Tone | “Lonely and wild — all night he goes” | The tone is a mix of whimsy and melancholy, reflecting the poem’s emotional complexity. |
| Whimsy | “Landing at eve near the Zemmery Fidd / Where the Oblong Oysters grow” | The nonsensical place names and creatures create a playful and fantastical world characteristic of Lear’s style. |
Themes: “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
1. Love and Loss: The central theme of “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” is the profound impact of love and the pain of losing it. The Dong’s love for the Jumbly Girl is described with vivid imagery, highlighting the joy and fulfillment he experienced during their time together: “For day and night he was always there / By the side of the Jumbly Girl so fair.” However, this happiness is tragically short-lived, as the Jumblies leave, taking the Jumbly Girl away: “Till the morning came of that hateful day / When the Jumblies sailed in their sieve away.” The Dong’s eternal longing for her, symbolized by his luminous nose, represents his inability to move on. His plaintive wanderings and endless search emphasize the enduring impact of lost love, making this theme relatable and poignant.
2. Loneliness and Isolation: The poem poignantly explores the theme of loneliness through the Dong’s solitary quest. After the Jumbly Girl leaves, the Dong is left to roam the desolate Gromboolian plain, symbolizing emotional and physical isolation: “Lonely and wild — all night he goes.” His luminous nose, while a practical tool for his search, also serves as a metaphor for his alienation, making him a figure both remarkable and pitiable. The repeated observation by those who watch him, “The Dong! The Dong! / The wandering Dong with a luminous Nose!” underscores his solitary existence and the distance between him and others. This theme resonates as a reflection of how loss and longing can lead to a deep sense of isolation.
3. Resilience and Hope: Despite his sorrow, the Dong exemplifies resilience and hope through his determination to find the Jumbly Girl. He takes extraordinary measures to continue his search, crafting the luminous nose to light his way: “And he wove him a wondrous Nose, — / A Nose as strange as a Nose could be!” This act symbolizes his refusal to give up, even in the face of insurmountable odds. His nightly wanderings through the Gromboolian plain, accompanied by the plaintive sound of his pipe, reflect a deep-seated hope that he will one day be reunited with his love: “For ever I’ll seek by lake and shore / Till I find my Jumbly Girl once more!” This resilience makes the Dong a symbol of enduring love and unyielding hope.
4. Whimsy and Imagination: Lear’s poem is steeped in whimsy, creating a fantastical world that captivates the reader’s imagination. The nonsensical names and creatures, such as the “Gromboolian plain,” “Bong-tree stems,” and “Twangum Tree,” evoke a playful and surreal atmosphere. The Jumblies, with their “green heads” and “blue hands,” exemplify Lear’s signature style of blending absurdity with charm. Even the Dong’s luminous nose, a bizarre yet practical invention, highlights Lear’s creativity. This whimsical quality tempers the poem’s underlying sadness, making it an engaging and entertaining piece while allowing readers to explore themes of love and loss in a fantastical context.
Literary Theories and “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
| Literary Theory | Application to “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” | References from the Poem |
| Romanticism | Emphasizes emotion, individual experience, and the sublime. The Dong’s deep love for the Jumbly Girl and his sorrowful quest reflect the Romantic ideal of intense, personal emotion. | “For ever I’ll seek by lake and shore / Till I find my Jumbly Girl once more!” captures the emotional depth and longing central to Romanticism. |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | Explores the unconscious mind, desires, and loss. The Dong’s luminous nose symbolizes his fixation and inability to cope with the departure of the Jumbly Girl, representing unresolved grief. | “What little sense I once possessed / Has quite gone out of my head!” reflects his mental unraveling due to loss, a key aspect of psychoanalytic analysis. |
| Postmodernism | Highlights absurdity, playfulness, and rejection of traditional narratives. The nonsensical elements and whimsical world of the poem exemplify postmodern literature’s defiance of realism. | The whimsical “Gromboolian plain” and the absurd “sieve” used by the Jumblies to sail are hallmarks of postmodern playfulness. |
| Ecocriticism | Examines the relationship between literature and the natural environment. The poem’s vivid descriptions of landscapes highlight the interplay between nature and the Dong’s emotional state. | “Over the great Gromboolian plain, / Through the long, long wintry nights” connects the Dong’s despair to the desolate and foreboding natural surroundings. |
Critical Questions about “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
1. How does the poem reflect the emotional consequences of unrequited love?
“The Dong with a Luminous Nose” explores the emotional devastation of unrequited love through the Dong’s poignant journey. His love for the Jumbly Girl is depicted as all-consuming, bringing him joy and purpose: “For day and night he was always there / By the side of the Jumbly Girl so fair.” However, when the Jumblies depart, leaving him behind, his life descends into sorrow and madness: “Gazing — gazing for evermore, / Ever keeping his weary eyes on / That pea-green sail on the far horizon.” The luminous nose he creates to guide his nocturnal search symbolizes his refusal to let go of this love, even as it isolates him further. The poem illustrates how unfulfilled longing can transform happiness into an eternal, haunting grief, making the Dong’s journey universally relatable.
2. What role does nature play in shaping the atmosphere of the poem?
Nature in “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” is a reflection of the Dong’s emotional state and serves to heighten the poem’s atmosphere. The desolate landscapes, such as the “great Gromboolian plain,” mirror the Dong’s loneliness: “When awful darkness and silence reign / Over the great Gromboolian plain.” The hostile imagery of storm-clouds and rocky shores amplifies the tension and despair surrounding his quest: “When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights / Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore.” At the same time, the nocturnal setting, illuminated by the Dong’s luminous nose, creates a surreal contrast, blending melancholy with wonder. The interaction between the Dong and his environment underscores the emotional depth of his isolation and longing, making nature an integral component of the narrative.
3. How does the use of nonsense elements enhance the poem’s themes?
The nonsensical elements in the poem, such as the “Gromboolian plain,” “Bong-tree stems,” and the “sieve” used by the Jumblies, add a layer of whimsy that tempers the otherwise somber themes of love and loss. These fantastical constructs create a playful and surreal world, allowing readers to engage with profound emotions in an imaginative context. For example, the Jumblies’ departure in a sieve is both absurd and heartbreaking, as it symbolizes the fragile and fleeting nature of joy: “And the Jumblies sailed in their sieve away.” The whimsical luminous nose also reflects the Dong’s resilience, showing how creative absurdity can arise from profound despair. By juxtaposing whimsy with melancholy, Lear ensures the poem’s accessibility while maintaining its emotional depth.
4. What is the significance of the Dong’s luminous nose as a symbol?
The luminous nose in “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” is a powerful symbol of resilience, hope, and the enduring nature of love. Crafted from the bark of the “Twangum Tree” and equipped with a lamp, the nose serves as a tool for the Dong’s nightly search: “And he wove him a wondrous Nose, — / A Nose as strange as a Nose could be!” Its glowing light cuts through the darkness, representing the Dong’s unwavering determination to find the Jumbly Girl, despite the impossibility of his quest. The nose also underscores his isolation, as it marks him as a unique and solitary figure: “The wandering Dong with a luminous Nose!” Ultimately, the nose encapsulates the paradox of the Dong’s character—his strength in perseverance and his vulnerability in love, making it the poem’s most enduring image.
Literary Works Similar to “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
- “The Jumblies” by Edward Lear: Shares the same whimsical world as “The Dong with a Luminous Nose,” featuring the adventurous Jumblies and Lear’s characteristic nonsensical style.
- “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll: Both poems use invented words and fantastical creatures to create a surreal and imaginative narrative, engaging readers with their playful absurdity.
- “The Owl and the Pussycat” by Edward Lear: Similar in its whimsical tone and nonsensical elements, this poem also tells a story of love and adventure, highlighting Lear’s mastery of imaginative verse.
- “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Though more serious in tone, this poem shares a vivid, dreamlike quality and surreal imagery, akin to the fantastical landscapes in “The Dong with a Luminous Nose.”
- “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” by T.S. Eliot: Like Lear’s work, Eliot’s poem combines a playful narrative with a memorable, mysterious character, creating a blend of humor and intrigue.
Representative Quotations of “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “When awful darkness and silence reign / Over the great Gromboolian plain” | Sets the eerie and desolate atmosphere of the poem’s setting. | Romanticism: Highlights the sublime and emotional connection to nature. |
| “Then, through the vast and gloomy dark, / There moves what seems a fiery spark” | Introduces the Dong and his luminous nose, creating an aura of mystery. | Postmodernism: The absurd yet vivid image challenges traditional representations of characters. |
| “The Dong! — the Dong! / The wandering Dong through the forest goes!” | Reflects the Dong’s mythical status and the fascination he evokes among observers. | Structuralism: The repetition emphasizes the archetype of a tragic, wandering figure. |
| “Long years ago / The Dong was happy and gay” | Indicates a shift from joy to sorrow, setting up the narrative of loss. | Psychoanalytic Theory: Highlights the transformation of the Dong’s psyche due to emotional trauma. |
| “For day and night he was always there / By the side of the Jumbly Girl so fair” | Describes the Dong’s deep connection to the Jumbly Girl and his love for her. | Romanticism: Celebrates love as a profound, transformative force. |
| “Till the morning came of that hateful day / When the Jumblies sailed in their sieve away” | The pivotal moment of separation and loss for the Dong. | Trauma Theory: Examines how significant losses shape identity and behavior. |
| “And he wove him a wondrous Nose, — / A Nose as strange as a Nose could be!” | Illustrates the Dong’s creativity and resilience in response to his longing. | Postmodernism: The whimsical invention underscores the blend of absurdity and resourcefulness. |
| “Lonely and wild — all night he goes” | Depicts the Dong’s eternal, isolated quest for his lost love. | Existentialism: Explores themes of solitude, purpose, and the search for meaning. |
| “Far and few, far and few, / Are the lands where the Jumblies live” | A recurring refrain that emphasizes the whimsical, otherworldly nature of the Jumblies. | Ecocriticism: Suggests a fantastical connection between the characters and their unique environment. |
| “This is the hour when forth he goes, / The Dong with a luminous Nose!” | Concludes the poem with observers marveling at the Dong’s nightly wanderings. | Myth Criticism: Positions the Dong as a mythic figure who evokes awe and wonder. |
Suggested Readings: “The Dong with a Luminous Nose” by Edward Lear
- Nock, S. A. “Lacrimae Nugarum: Edward Lear of the Nonsense Verses.” The Sewanee Review, vol. 49, no. 1, 1941, pp. 68–81. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27535733. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
- Gray, Donald. “Victorian Comic Verse; or, Snakes in Greenland.” Victorian Poetry, vol. 26, no. 3, 1988, pp. 211–30. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40001962. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
- Lear, Edward. The Dong with a Luminous Nose. Young Scott Books, 1969.