'Old Deuteronomy' by T.S. Eliot
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Old Possum's Book of Practical CatsOld Deuteronomy's lived a long time;
He's a Cat who has lived many lives in succession.
He was famous in proverb and famous in rhyme
A long while before Queen Victoria's accession.
Old Deuteronomy's buried nine wives
And more--I am tempted to say, ninety-nine;
And his numerous progeny prospers and thrives
And the village is proud of him in his decline.
At the sight of that placid and bland physiognomy,
When he sits in the sun on the vicarage wall,
The Oldest Inhabitant croaks: "Well, of all . . .
Things. . . Can it be . . . really! . . . No!. . . Yes!. . .
Ho! hi!
Oh, my eye!
My mind may be wandering, but I confess
I believe it is Old Deuteronomy!"Old Deuteronomy sits in the street,
He sits in the High Street on market day;
The bullocks may bellow, the sheep they may bleat,
But the dogs and the herdsmen will turn them away.
The cars and the lorries run over the kerb,
And the villagers put up a notice: ROAD CLOSED--
So that nothing untoward may chance to distrub
Deuteronomy's rest when he feels so disposed
Or when he's engaged in domestic economy:
And the Oldest Inhabitant croaks: "Well, of all . . .
Things. . . Can it be . . . really! . . . No!. . . Yes!. . .
Ho! hi!
Oh, my eye!
My sight's unreliable, but I can guess
That the cause of the trouble is Old Deuteronomy!"Old Deuteronomy lies on the floor
Of the Fox and French Horn for his afternoon sleep;
And when the men say: "There's just time for one more,"
Then the landlady from her back parlour will peep
And say: "New then, out you go, by the back door,
For Old Deuteronomy mustn't be woken--I'll have the police if there's any uproar"--
And out they all shuffle, without a word spoken.
The digestive repose of that feline's gastronomy
Must never be broken, whatever befall:
And the Oldest Inhabitant croaks: "Well, of all . . .
Things. . . Can it be . . . really! . . . No!. . . Yes!. . .
Ho! hi!
Oh, my eye!
My legs may be tottery, I must go slow
And be careful of Old Deuteronomy!"Of the awefull battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles:
together with some account of the participation of thePugs and the Poms, and the intervention of the GreatRumpuscatThe Pekes and the Pollicles, everyone knows,
Are proud and implacable passionate foes;
It is always the same, wherever one goes.
And the Pugs and the Poms, although most people say
That they do not like fighting, yet once in a way,
They will now and again join in to the fray
And they
Bark bark bark bark
Bark bark BARK BARK
Until you can hear them all over the Park.Now on the occasion of which I shall speak
Almost nothing had happened for nearly a week
(And that's a long time for a Pol or a Peke).
The big Police Dog was away from his beat--
I don't know the reason, but most people think
He'd slipped into the Wellington Arms for a drink--
And no one at all was about on the street
When a Peke and a Pollicle happened to meet.
They did not advance, or exactly retreat,
But they glared at each other, and scraped their hindfeet,
And they started to
Bark bark bark bark
Bark bark BARK BARK
Until you can hear them all over the Park.Now the Peke, although people may say what they please,
Is no British Dog, but a Heathen Chinese.
And so all the Pekes, when they heard the uproar,
Some came to the window, some came to the door;
There were surely a dozen, more likely a score.
And together they started to grumble and wheeze
In their huffery-snuffery Heathen Chinese.
But a terrible din is what Pollicles like,
For your Pollicle Dog is a dour Yorkshire tyke,
And his braw Scottish cousins are snappers and biters,
And every dog-jack of them notable fighters;
And so they stepped out, with their pipers in order,
Playing When the Blue Bonnets Came Over the Border.
Then the Pugs and the Poms held no longer aloof,
But some from the balcony, some from the roof,
Joined in
To the din
With aBark bark bark bark
Bark bark BARK BARK
Until you can hear them all over the Park.Now when these bold heroes together assembled,
That traffic all stopped, and the Underground trembled,
And some of the neighbours were so much afraid
That they started to ring up the Fire Brigade.
When suddenly, up from a small basement flat,
Why who should stalk out but the GREAT RUMPUSCAT.
His eyes were like fireballs fearfully blazing,
He gave a great yawn, and his jaws were amazing;
And when he looked out through the bars of the area,
You never saw anything fiercer or hairier.
And what with the glare of his eyes and his yawning,
The Pekes and the Pollicles quickly took warning.
He looked at the sky and he gave a great leap--
And they every last one of them scattered like sheep.And when the Police Dog returned to his beat,
There wasn't a single one left in the street.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Old Deuteronomy: A Masterpiece of Literary Art by T.S. Eliot
Introduction
T.S. Eliot, one of the most renowned modernist poets of the 20th century, wrote "Old Deuteronomy," a poem that has become a classic in English literature. The poem is part of Eliot's collection of poetry, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," which was published in 1939. The collection was originally written for Eliot's godchildren, and it is a masterpiece of literary art.
"Old Deuteronomy" is a poem that is rich in imagery, metaphor, and symbolism. It is a poem that explores the themes of age, wisdom, and authority, and it is a reflection of Eliot's own beliefs and values. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the structure, language, and themes of "Old Deuteronomy" and explore how Eliot uses literary techniques to convey his message.
Structure
"Old Deuteronomy" is a free verse poem that consists of 106 lines. It is divided into four parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Old Deuteronomy's character. The first part introduces Old Deuteronomy and describes his physical appearance. The second part explores his wisdom and knowledge. The third part describes his authority and power. The fourth and final part describes Old Deuteronomy's relationship with the other cats and his role in the cat community.
The structure of the poem is not linear, and the parts do not follow a chronological order. Instead, they are interconnected and provide a holistic view of Old Deuteronomy's character. The poem is also characterized by a repetitive structure, with the phrase "Old Deuteronomy's lived a long time" being repeated throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize Old Deuteronomy's age and wisdom.
Language
Eliot's use of language in "Old Deuteronomy" is masterful. He employs a variety of literary techniques, including metaphor, simile, imagery, and allusion, to create a vivid and complex picture of Old Deuteronomy's character.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of animal imagery. Old Deuteronomy is described as having "whiskers like a bristly brush," "eyes like a lampshade," and "ears like gigantic oyster shells." This animal imagery serves to emphasize Old Deuteronomy's feline nature and to create a sense of wonder and mystery around his character.
Eliot also employs allusions to mythology and biblical references in the poem. Old Deuteronomy is compared to the biblical figure of Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt. This comparison serves to emphasize Old Deuteronomy's wisdom and authority and to suggest that he is a leader among the cats.
The language in "Old Deuteronomy" is also characterized by a sense of playfulness and whimsy. Eliot uses puns and wordplay throughout the poem, such as the phrase "he's a cat of great renown" and the description of Old Deuteronomy as a "Jellicle cat." This playfulness serves to lighten the tone of the poem and to create a sense of fun and enjoyment for the reader.
Themes
"Old Deuteronomy" explores several themes, including age, wisdom, authority, and community. At its core, the poem is a reflection on the nature of leadership and the role of the wise elder in the community.
Old Deuteronomy is portrayed as a wise and knowledgeable leader who has lived a long life and has acquired a wealth of experience and wisdom. He is respected and revered by the other cats, who look to him for guidance and leadership. Eliot uses Old Deuteronomy's character to explore the idea of the wise elder and the importance of respecting and valuing the experience and knowledge of older generations.
The poem also explores the theme of community and the importance of belonging. The cats in the poem are part of a larger community, and Old Deuteronomy serves as the leader and protector of that community. Eliot emphasizes the importance of being part of a community and the need for individuals to work together for the greater good.
Conclusion
"Old Deuteronomy" is a masterpiece of literary art. Eliot's use of language, structure, and themes creates a vivid and complex picture of Old Deuteronomy's character and explores important ideas about leadership, community, and the role of the wise elder. The poem is a reflection of Eliot's own beliefs and values and has become a classic in English literature. It is a testament to Eliot's skill as a poet and his ability to use language to convey powerful messages and ideas.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Old Deuteronomy: A Masterpiece by T.S. Eliot
T.S. Eliot, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, wrote the classic poem "Old Deuteronomy" as a part of his collection "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats." The poem is a tribute to the wise and revered leader of the Jellicle Cats, Old Deuteronomy. It is a beautiful and lyrical piece that captures the essence of the feline world and the wisdom of age.
The poem begins with a description of Old Deuteronomy, who is portrayed as a wise and respected leader of the Jellicle Cats. Eliot uses vivid imagery to describe the cat's appearance, "With his eyes half-closed, he looks like a slow-burning coal," which creates a sense of reverence and admiration for the cat.
The poem then goes on to describe the Jellicle Cats, who are a tribe of cats that gather together once a year for a special ceremony. Eliot uses the ceremony as a metaphor for the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The Jellicle Cats come together to celebrate their lives and to honor those who have passed away.
Eliot's use of language is masterful in this poem. He uses a variety of poetic techniques, such as alliteration, repetition, and rhyme, to create a musical and rhythmic flow to the poem. The use of repetition in the lines "Old Deuteronomy's lived a long time; He's a Cat who has lived many lives in succession" emphasizes the cat's age and wisdom.
The poem also explores the theme of the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Eliot writes, "For when they reach the end of their days, the Jellicle Cats meet once a year at the Heaviside Layer." The Heaviside Layer is a reference to the upper atmosphere, where the Jellicle Cats go to be reborn. This idea of rebirth and renewal is a central theme in the poem and is a reflection of Eliot's own spiritual beliefs.
Eliot's use of symbolism is also evident in the poem. The Jellicle Cats are a symbol of the human condition, and their annual gathering represents the cycle of life and death. The character of Old Deuteronomy is a symbol of wisdom and experience, and his presence in the poem adds depth and meaning to the overall message.
The poem also explores the idea of community and the importance of coming together to celebrate life. Eliot writes, "And when you notice a cat in profound meditation, the reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name." This line emphasizes the importance of identity and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a community.
In conclusion, "Old Deuteronomy" is a beautiful and lyrical poem that captures the essence of the feline world and the wisdom of age. Eliot's use of language, symbolism, and poetic techniques creates a musical and rhythmic flow to the poem that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The poem explores the themes of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the importance of community and the sense of belonging. It is a masterpiece of modern poetry and a testament to Eliot's skill as a poet.
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