The Jumblies-Edward Lear

Summary: Edward Lear's 'The Jumblies' tells the whimsical and adventurous story of a group of daring characters called the Jumblies, who embark on an unusual journey to sea in a sieve, a vessel entirely unsuited for sailing. Despite warnings and ridicule from their friends, who predict their inevitable doom, the Jumblies remain undeterred. Their spirit of adventure and carefree attitude is reflected in their confident disregard for the dangers.

The poem emphasizes their uniqueness, describing them as beings with green heads and blue hands, living in distant lands that are rare and far away. The Jumblies' boldness and cheerfulness in pursuing an impossible dream, despite the odds, highlight themes of courage, individuality, and the joy of embracing the extraordinary.

Exercises

A. Questions

1. Where were they going in a sieve?

Answer: They were going to sea in a sieve.

2. What would happen to a sieve if you put it on water?

Answer: A sieve, being full of holes, would not float properly and would likely sink. 

3. What was the weather like when they started their journey?

Answer: The weather was stormy, as it was a winter's morning on a stormy day.

4. Did their friends want them to go? Why not?

Answer: No, their friends did not want them to go because they believed the sieve was unsuitable for sailing and warned that they would likely drown.

5. What do the Jumblies look like?

Answer: The Jumblies have green heads and blue hands.

B. Reference to context

But we don't care a button! We don't care a fig!

1. Who is this said to?

Answer: This is said to the friends of the Jumblies who ware warning them about the dangers of their journey.

2. What are the speakers doing?

Answer: The speakers, the Jumblies, are preparing to go to sea in a sieve despite the warnings and concerns of their friends.

3. What do they not care a button or a fig about?

Answer: They do not care about the warnings or the possibility of drowning.

4. Buttons and figs are small, common things. Which word could you replace these words with to keep the same meaning?

I don't care much. (things/much/lots)

C. Words and meaning

These words are jumbled up. Unscramble them to find words to describe different times of the day.

WAND           NEST US                 VEG NINE

GO INN MR               ANON FORTE

WAND ---- DAWN

NEST US ---- SUNSET

VEG NINE ---- EVENING

GO INN MR ---- MORNING

ANON FORTE ---- AFTERNOON

D. Discuss and write

1. Edward Lear created the Jumblies. He made up what they look like. Talk about what size and shape the Jumblies could be. What other features could they have?

Answer: The Jumblies could be small and round, making them look quirky and fun. They might have a compact body to fit comfortably in a sieve. Their green heads could be smooth and shiny, and their blue hands might be long and slender, helping them handle tasks during their adventures. They might also have tiny legs to balance on their unusual "boat." Their unique features, like bright, glowing eyes or pointy ears, could make them appear even more fantastical.

2. Draw a picture of one of the Jumblies and write a description of what it looks like.

This Jumbly has a small, round body and a shine green head that sparkles in the sunlight. Its large, curious eyes seem to notice every detail, and its wide smile shows its carefree nature. The blue hands are long and nimble, perfect for holding onto the edge of their sieve boat. Wearing a brightly coloured patchwork outfit, the Jumbly looks ready for any adventure, no matter how wild or unexpected!