“The Jumblies” by Edward Lear: A Critical Analysis

I

They went to sea in a Sieve, they did,

   In a Sieve they went to sea:

In spite of all their friends could say,

On a winter’s morn, on a stormy day,

   In a Sieve they went to sea!

And when the Sieve turned round and round,

And every one cried, ‘You’ll all be drowned!’

They called aloud, ‘Our Sieve ain’t big,

But we don’t care a button! we don’t care a fig!

   In a Sieve we’ll go to sea!’

      Far and few, far and few,

         Are the lands where the Jumblies live;

      Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,

         And they went to sea in a Sieve.

II

They sailed away in a Sieve, they did,

   In a Sieve they sailed so fast,

With only a beautiful pea-green veil

Tied with a riband by way of a sail,

   To a small tobacco-pipe mast;

And every one said, who saw them go,

‘O won’t they be soon upset, you know!

For the sky is dark, and the voyage is long,

And happen what may, it’s extremely wrong

   In a Sieve to sail so fast!’

      Far and few, far and few,

         Are the lands where the Jumblies live;

      Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,

         And they went to sea in a Sieve.

 III

The water it soon came in, it did,

   The water it soon came in;

So to keep them dry, they wrapped their feet

In a pinky paper all folded neat,

   And they fastened it down with a pin.

And they passed the night in a crockery-jar,

And each of them said, ‘How wise we are!

Though the sky be dark, and the voyage be long,

Yet we never can think we were rash or wrong,

   While round in our Sieve we spin!’

      Far and few, far and few,

         Are the lands where the Jumblies live;

      Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,

         And they went to sea in a Sieve.

 IV

And all night long they sailed away;

   And when the sun went down,

They whistled and warbled a moony song

To the echoing sound of a coppery gong,

   In the shade of the mountains brown.

‘O Timballo! How happy we are,

When we live in a sieve and a crockery-jar,

And all night long in the moonlight pale,

We sail away with a pea-green sail,

   In the shade of the mountains brown!’

      Far and few, far and few,

         Are the lands where the Jumblies live;

     Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,

         And they went to sea in a Sieve.

V

They sailed to the Western Sea, they did,

   To a land all covered with trees,

And they bought an Owl, and a useful Cart,

And a pound of Rice, and a Cranberry Tart,

   And a hive of silvery Bees.

And they bought a Pig, and some green Jack-daws,

And a lovely Monkey with lollipop paws,

And forty bottles of Ring-Bo-Ree,

   And no end of Stilton Cheese.

      Far and few, far and few,

         Are the lands where the Jumblies live;

      Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,

         And they went to sea in a Sieve.

 VI

And in twenty years they all came back,

   In twenty years or more,

And every one said, ‘How tall they’ve grown!’

For they’ve been to the Lakes, and the Torrible Zone,

   And the hills of the Chankly Bore;

And they drank their health, and gave them a feast

Of dumplings made of beautiful yeast;

And everyone said, ‘If we only live,

We too will go to sea in a Sieve,—

   To the hills of the Chankly Bore!’

      Far and few, far and few,

         Are the lands where the Jumblies live;

      Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,

         And they went to sea in a Sieve.

1. How does “The Jumblies” challenge societal notions of practicality and logic?

The poem provocatively questions societal norms and the conventional emphasis on practicality. The Jumblies’ choice to “go to sea in a Sieve” is inherently absurd and defies all logic, prompting their friends to warn, “You’ll all be drowned!” Despite the clear risks and impracticality, the Jumblies proclaim, “We don’t care a button! we don’t care a fig!” This defiance highlights a tension between the adventurous spirit and the rigid logic of the status quo. By presenting the Jumblies as ultimately successful, Lear seems to argue that adhering to societal expectations may stifle creativity and the pursuit of extraordinary experiences. The question invites readers to reflect on the value of daring to dream, even in the face of practical impossibilities.

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2. What role does the refrain play in shaping the poem’s tone and message?

The repeated refrain, “Far and few, far and few, / Are the lands where the Jumblies live,” is central to the poem’s tone and meaning. Its rhythmic and melodic quality enhances the whimsical atmosphere, inviting readers to celebrate the fantastical nature of the Jumblies’ world. The phrase “Far and few” emphasizes the rarity of the Jumblies’ adventurous spirit, suggesting that their courage and individuality are extraordinary. This refrain not only unifies the poem structurally but also serves as a reminder of the uniqueness of those who dare to defy conventions. It prompts readers to consider whether they, too, belong to the “far and few” who embrace the unconventional.

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3. How does Edward Lear use absurdity to convey deeper themes?

Lear’s use of absurdity, such as sailing in a sieve with a “pea-green veil” tied to a “tobacco-pipe mast,” may initially appear nonsensical, but it serves as a vehicle for exploring profound ideas. The absurd elements underscore the Jumblies’ boundless creativity and optimism, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. For instance, when their sieve begins to take on water, they resourcefully wrap their feet “in a pinky paper all folded neat.” This humorous solution reflects resilience and adaptability, encouraging readers to find imaginative ways to confront obstacles. By exaggerating the absurd, Lear subtly critiques societal constraints and celebrates the freedom of thinking differently.

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4. What does “The Jumblies” suggest about the relationship between risk and reward?

The poem explores the idea that great rewards often come from taking significant risks. The Jumblies embark on their perilous journey despite warnings of danger: “For the sky is dark, and the voyage is long.” Their adventure brings them to fantastical lands where they acquire unique treasures, such as “a hive of silvery Bees” and “a lovely Monkey with lollipop paws.” Upon their return, they are celebrated for their bravery and inspire others, who exclaim, “If we only live, / We too will go to sea in a Sieve!” This narrative suggests that the pursuit of dreams, even risky ones, can lead to growth, admiration, and fulfillment, challenging readers to consider the value of stepping out of their comfort zones.