How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts · Chapter
The Ole Gander; The Oleander explained
A playful comparison between the mobile gander and the stationary oleander plant, highlighting the gander's freedom to walk and the oleander's inability to move, being tied up by the gardener to prevent it from running to seed.
What happens
A playful comparison between the mobile gander and the stationary oleander plant, highlighting the gander's freedom to walk and the oleander's inability to move, being tied up by the gardener to prevent it from running to seed.
Themes in this chapter
Wordplay and Homophones
The chapter title and content play on the homophonic similarity between 'gander' and 'oleander'.
Nature and Classification
Contrasts a bird (gander) with a plant (oleander), exploring their different natures and behaviors.
Characters to notice
- the Birds
The gander is a bird, part of the poultry yard.
Key passages
“The Gander loves to promenade, Around the farmer’s poultry yard”
The gander enjoys strolling around the farmer's yard where poultry are kept.
Describes the gander's movement and setting.
“The Oleander Is quite unable to meander”
The oleander plant cannot walk or move around.
Highlights the plant's immobility.
“The Gardener tied it up indeed, Fearing that it might run to seed.”
The gardener tied the oleander to prevent it from growing wild and going to seed.
Explains the gardener's action and motivation.