# The Eel; The Eelephant explained — How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts

> Chapter companion for How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts by Robert Williams Wood.

## What happens

The chapter humorously explores the absurdity of confusing an eel with an elephant, attributing such folly to a peculiar point of view.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wordplay and Homophones

The chapter title and content play on the homophonic similarity between 'eel' and 'elephant' (via 'eelephant'), highlighting the theme of wordplay.

### Visual Perception and Deception

The confusion between the eel and the elephant is attributed to a 'peculiar point of view,' emphasizing how visual perception can deceive.

## Key lines

> The marked aversion which we feel, When in the presence of the Eel, Makes many view with consternation, The Elephant’s front ele‑vation.

Our strong dislike of eels leads many to mistakenly fear the elephant's front appearance.

_Highlights the absurd confusion between eel and elephant._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se/chapters/the-eel-the-eelephant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se/chapters