How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts · Chapter
Naught; Nautilus explained
The chapter introduces the Nautilus as a whimsical composite creature, blending snail, jellyfish, and paper sail, and concludes with the playful discovery that its double is 'Naught'.
What happens
The chapter introduces the Nautilus as a whimsical composite creature, blending snail, jellyfish, and paper sail, and concludes with the playful discovery that its double is 'Naught'.
Themes in this chapter
Wordplay and Homophones
The chapter title and final line play on the homophonic relationship between 'naught' and 'nautilus', emphasizing linguistic humor.
Humor and Absurdity
The description of the nautilus as a combination of snail, jellyfish, and paper sail, and the punchline about finding 'Naught', exemplify absurdist comedy.
Key passages
“The Argo‑naut or Nautilus, With habits quite adventurous, A com‑bin‑a‑tion of a snail, A jelly‑fish and paper sail.”
The nautilus, also called the argonaut, is an adventurous creature that is a mix of snail, jellyfish, and a sail made of paper.
Clarifies the playful biological description of the nautilus.
“The parts of him that did not jell, Are packed securely in his shell.”
The parts of the nautilus that didn't solidify are stored safely inside its shell.
Explains the whimsical anatomy of the nautilus.
“It is not strange that when I sought To find his double, I found Naught.”
It's no surprise that when I looked for the nautilus's counterpart, I found nothing.
Highlights the wordplay concluding the chapter.