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An Easily Accessible Collection Of Poetry For All Ages . |
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A collection of poetry that is instantly accessible to every age has to be T.S. Eliots ‘Old Possums Book of Practical Cats’. It is a delightful read at any age and will appeal to all.
‘Practical Cats’ (as I will refer to it from now on), is most famously known for it being the inspiration behind Andrew Lloyd Webbers extravagant musical ‘Cats’. Although this is an interesting insight and may encourage people to read ‘Practical Cats’ I feel that ‘Practical Cats’ does not depend upon this to make it a wonderful collection.
‘Practical Cats’ was first published in 1939. Since then it has been an enduring collection. It’s most famous release is accompanied by drawings by ‘Edward Gorey’ . The current hardback version of ‘Practical Cats’ retails at £8.99. (ISBN0-571-11971-9).
Now onto the collection itself. I think the best way forward from here is to give you a short synopsis/review of each poem in turn. In total there are fifteen poems, so lets begin. The poems are listed in the order they appear in the book.
‘The Naming of Cats’
This one of my personal favourites as it highlights some of the traits of the average cat, all based round the concept of the ‘Naming’ of a cat:
‘The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.’
The different types of name portray the personality of a cat perfectly. There are three types of name. Firstly its name its given and uses daily, secondly, the fancier name which in essence must be more dignified, aloof a little bit like the personality of an individual cat. The third name is the name that the cat knows only itself, it is the name that makes it hold its tail up high, a name that the cat will never disclose. The poem itself is very light hearted and is an excellent introduction to the collection. It sets the tone for the remainder of the book & says that this is a book that is ‘delightful’ ‘witty’ but for everyone.
‘The Old Gumbie Cat’
Instantly your introduced to a rather strangely named cat ‘Jennyanydots’. This poem is about a cats antics once all the ‘humans’ are in bed. These are not the antics of a normal cat however because they involves teaching mice music, crocheting and tatting!!! In addition ‘Jennyanydots’ makes them mouse-cake of bread & dried peas. The emphasis of this poem to me is about the mysterious, secretive antics of cats. It kind of answers the question ‘what do they get upto’, ‘where do they go’, it creates an illusion much like a fairy tale and would excite even the smallest child.
‘Growltigers Last Stand’
Growltiger is a tale of a cat and his notoriety. He is the cat with the torn ear, baggy skin and shabby coat. A cat whom instantly has character. In this poem ‘Growltiger’ is described as a cat to be feared across the lands. The tale unfolds as a battle with ‘Growltiger walking the plank of a ship and meeting an untimely end! A wonderful poem once again that details a wonderful battle that will have many a reader whooping for joy & joining in the action. It is somewhat like the battle that ensues between pirate ships with an inevitable gory ending.
‘The Rum Tum Tugger’
Oh the contrary cat!! This is another of my favourites because I am sure it was written with one of my cats in mind. As the poem unfolds I constantly snigger as I recognise my own cat in the tale. A particular part of the poem highlights this all too well:
‘The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore:
When you let him in, then he wants to be out;
He’s always on the wrong side of every door.’
Most cat owners will spot numerous little mannerisms described in this poem that will have them nodding their head in agreement. It really highlights the general personality of cats perfectly;
‘For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!’
The Song Of The Jellicles’
This is quite a musical poem as the
title implies. The rhythm of the poem is instantly evident and you can hear yourself reading along to the beating of a drum. Jellicle cats are described perfectly as the ‘black and white cats’. The poem centres around their dance to the ‘Jellicle Moon’. The imagery is wonderful once again. This poem also highlights another slant on the secret life of cats, but this time as a collective of cats rather than as individuals. In your mind you can see them doing their dance at the ‘Jellicle Ball’
‘Mungojerrie & Rumpelteazer’
These two strangely named cats are the original mischievous pair! They are tightrope walkers, join of meat stealers and cat burglars all in one. They are however also incredibly endearing and get away with many a crime. This is a poem that perfectly illustrates the way in which cats in general have the ability to get upto all manner of crimes but through the love of their owners are never castigated. This poem also reminds me fondly of the relationship between two of my cats and their ability at times to team up against us mere mortals! Hilarious poem from beginning to end.
‘Old Deuteronomy’
This poem is a wonderful tale of a cat that we all must recognise. The cat that has lived out its nine lives and is happily living its day sunning itself with one eye on the world. It’s the cat we find in the same spot everyday or in our favourite shop. It’s the cat you see sitting peacefully in a window day after day, hardly moving. ‘Old Deuteronomy’ is the original ‘Saggy Old Cloth Cat’!!
‘Of The Awful Battle Of The Pekes And The Pollicles’
This poem is the cat version of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘West Side Story’ it reads as a battle between two opposing families of cats the ‘Pekes’ and the ‘Pollicles’. The poem is a tale of a particular confrontation that is interrupted by the feared ‘Police Dog’.
‘Mr. Mistoffelees’
This is a poem about a ‘Conjuring Cat’, it highlights perfectly the wonder that we have at the cats ability to perform, to walk the tightrope that is the garden fence and to sneak in past us as we walk from one room to another. It perfectly illustrates what we all fear to be true that cats are just far too clever for their own good!! ‘Mr. Mistoffelees’ is the cat that defy’s us deceives us and generally out smarts us!!
‘And we all say: OH!
Well I never!
Was there ever
A Cat so clever
As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!’
‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’
This is probably the most popular and most well known poems within the collection. It is the one that most people remember. It details the antics and crimes of ‘Macavity’ who is the most elusive cat within the collection. He has the ability to be involved in all manner of wrong doings but forever evades capture. The poem is particularly delightful for children as it has a part that is repeated over and over again throughout the poem:
‘For when they reach the scene of crime – MACAVITY’S NOT THERE’
It is an interesting poem that delights me more and more each time that I read it, it really does capture the sneaky side of a cats nature perfectly:
‘Macavity, Macavaity, there’s no one like Macavity,
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.’
‘Gus: The Theatre Cat’
Gus is the typical eccentric cat. In this poem you learn of a cat that has done many a thing and has many a tale to tell. He is theatrical, he is regal even in old age. The gin swilling, actor of the cat society. As you read the poem you can almost see Gus standing with his top hat and tails with a snooty look on his face. An entertaining poem.
‘Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town’
Bustopher is the society cat that wines and dines in all the respectable places, he is the well fed, fat cat that puts your average tom cat to shame. He is well read & lives a life of culture. As you read the poem you can imagine that this cat would perfectly mirror the image of its owner. I picture an middle aged spinster with too much time and too much affection for a spoilt cat!
‘Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat’
This particular poem is different from the others in that it makes the cat a more human character. The cat has a job and converses with humans and in fact keeps them in order!! It is a tale of ‘Skimbleshanks’ who is a railway guard and portrays the cat as a sensible stalwart of society.
‘The Ad-dressing of Cats’
Although this is not the final poem in the collection, I feel it should be. It provides an overview of the whole collection by bringing to attention the many types of cats and tales of cats that you have read while journeying through the book. It explains perfectly that cats, just like humans are all individual, all different in so many ways. Unique is the word I’m looking for!
‘You now have learned enough to see
That Cats are much like you and me
And other people whom we find
Possessed of various types of mind.’
This poem is like the conclusion of a long journey through the rich tapestry of the lives of cats (and humans!!).
‘Cat Morgan Introduces Himself’
The last poem in the collection feels oddly out of place having read the previous poem. The poem actually mentions ‘Faber & Faber’ who are the publishers of the book. It makes you wonder if this particular poem is about a cat that used to reside at the offices where ‘T.S.
Eliot’ would have visited. It introduces you to a cat of character and culture who lazes at the door of these very offices.
‘So if you ‘ave business with Faber – or Faber –
I’ll give you this tip, and its worth a lot more:
You’ll save yourself time, and you’ll spare yourself labour
If jist you make friends with the Cat at the door’
It is however more likely that it refers to a person who worked there such as a secretary/receptionist. After all in the previous poem we are reminded that cats are like people. By putting this poem last this memory and fact is etched in our brain.
Overall I have found this collection of poetry to be an enchanting read. I think it is ideal for children and adults alike. It washes away the image that is created in so many people’s minds that poetry is boring and inaccessible. I feel that for children in particular it is a wonderful introduction to the beauty and imagery of poetry and prose in general.
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