# The Elk; The Whelk 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

This chapter contrasts the elk and the whelk through their distinct roars: the elk's roar is heard across the sky, while the whelk's roar emanates from its shell, each roar indicating the presence of the respective creature.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wordplay and Homophones

The chapter plays on the homophones 'welkome' and 'welkin', and the similar sounds of 'elk' and 'whelk', using wordplay to distinguish the two creatures.

### Humor and Absurdity

The absurd premise of identifying an elk or whelk by the location of a roar—whether from the sky or a shell—adds a humorous, whimsical tone.

## Key lines

> A roar of welkome through the welkin Is certain proof you’ll find the Elk in;

A welcoming roar echoing through the sky is a sure sign that an elk is nearby.

_Simplifies the archaic language and clarifies the elk's association with the sky._

> But if you listen to the shell, In which the Whelk is said to dwell, And hear a roar, beyond a doubt It indicates the Whelk is out.

However, if you listen to the shell where the whelk supposedly lives and hear a roar, it definitely means the whelk is present.

_Clarifies the contrast between the elk's sky-roar and the whelk's shell-roar._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se/chapters/the-elk-the-whelk
- 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