Stylistic Analysis and Comparative Study Of Edward Lear’s “The Owl And The Pussy-Cat” And Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”

Abstract

The present paper represents stylistic analysis and comparison of Edward Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat” and Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”. These poems, which are representative of Victorian literary nonsense, engage readers in a fanciful literary experience by subverting normal narrative expectations through the use of unique vocabulary, whimsical topics, and fun sound patterns. Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat” is distinguished by its fanciful storyline and endearing application of anapestic meter, which gives the poem a rhythmic, melodic feel. Lear creates a surreal universe where rationality is abandoned in favor of imaginative inquiry through his inventive use of neologisms and portmanteau words, mixed with a basic yet magical plot. On the other hand, Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” is renowned for its extensive use of invented language, combining nonce words and compound words to produce a rich and evocative auditorium. This research shows how the stylistic decisions made by Lear and Carroll in the two works contrast with their respective approaches to nonsense literature. This essay highlights the distinctive contributions of Lear and Carroll to the category of nonsense poetry through a thorough analysis of their stylistic methods and provides insights into the larger significance of their work for the study of literary nonsense.