ACTIVITY 3. Translate each stanza into prose
Translate the poem to prose form, substituting a suitable term for each of
the nonsense words. Observe rules of grammar, e.g., agreement, sentence
structure, word order, etc. Make sure also that your sentences make sense, and
that they are faithful to the sense of the poem.
The possible meaning of each nonsense word is given below for
your convenient reference.
Jabberwocky
Your Translation
(literal and inferential meanings)
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the
borogoves, And the mome
raths outgrabe.
It was around four o'clock in the
afternoon, and the slimy toves bore holes
in the side of the wet hill by spinning
around.
The borogroves were miserable, and the
lost raths whistled and bellowed.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that
catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
A father to son warning, the father is
telling his son to be careful of the three
creatures the Jabberwock which can bite
or claw you, Jubjub bird which is a
dangerous creatures or bird.
Stay away from the fuming and furious
swift-moving creature with snapping jaws
called the Bandersnatch
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.
The son took out his sword “vorpal
sword” which is assumed to be deadly
and potentially possesses some magical
qualities.
For a long time searches for the manly or
buxom monstrous and fearsome
‘manxone’ He rest by a tree known as
Tumtum and he paused for a while for a
thought.
