# The Ole Gander; The Oleander 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

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.

## Character check-ins

### the Birds

The gander is a bird, part of the poultry yard.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se/chapters/the-ole-gander-the-oleander
- 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