Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, write briefly about what it is about the ideas or the language that you like or find funny.
Model Answer & Options
Source: TextbookOne of the lines I especially enjoy is “A novice might nonplus.” The poet’s decision to use “nonplus” as a verb, rather than the grammatically conventional “be nonplussed,” is delightfully playful. This unexpected twist creates humor by bending language rules in a way that energizes the poem. I also appreciate how the poet assigns human traits to animals—like hyenas laughing or crocodiles weeping—which adds to the funny, imaginative imagery. These creative language choices not only evoke laughter but also highlight the flexible and inventive nature of poetic expression.
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Does ‘dyin’ really rhyme with ‘lion’? Can you say it in such a way that it does?
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How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so, according to him?
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Do you think the words ‘lept‘ and ‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell them like this?
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Do you know what a ‘bearhug’ is? It’s a friendly and strong hug — such as bears are thought to give, as they attack you! Again, hyenas are thought to laugh, and crocodiles to weep (‘crocodile tears’) as they swallow their victims. Are there similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your own language(s)?
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Look at the line “A novice might nonplus”. How would you write this ‘correctly’? Why is the poet’s ‘incorrect’ line better in the poem?