ENG2D
Mr. P. Langevin
Name: ________________________________
Date: ______________________
Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” uses some interesting words. Some words are nonsense words,
but it is easy to understand what the nonsense words mean when you think of them in the
context of the poem.
Directions: Fill in the chart.
Nonsense Word
vorpal
Meaning
Part of Speech
How do you know?
Adjective
Since sword is a noun, vorpal
must be an adjective describing
the noun.
slithy
toves
gyre
gimble
mimsy
borogoves
Tumtum
Noun
Tumtum is the specific Proper Noun
type of tree
Whiffling
Snicker-snack
Galumphing
Jabberwocky
A monster
Because it is something the boy
has to slay.
1. Using context clues, decide what each nonsense word means. Using those same
context clues, decide what part of speech each nonsense word is and explain how you
know that particular word is that part of speech.
ENG2D
Mr. P. Langevin
1.
What figurative device(s) does Carroll use throughout the poem? How
do you know?
2.
it?
Although the poem is full of nonsense words, how can you understand
3.
Remember that all people interpret poetry differently. What do you
think the poem means? Explain using examples.