Nonsense Books · Chapter
Chapter IV: The Children of the Seven Families Are Sent Away explained
The seven families decide to send their children out into the world, giving them each eight shillings, advice, chocolate-drops, and a pocketbook.
What happens
The seven families decide to send their children out into the world, giving them each eight shillings, advice, chocolate-drops, and a pocketbook. Each set of parents warns their children against specific dangers and quarreling, and the forty-nine children depart with polite bows.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Exploration
The children are sent out to see the world, embarking on a journey into the unknown.
Social Absurdity and Conformity
The parents' absurd and specific warnings about mythical creatures like plum-pudding fleas and clangle-wangles highlight the nonsensical nature of their instructions.
Characters to notice
- The Parrots
The old Parrots warn their children not to fight over a cherry.
- The Storks
The old Storks advise their children to divide a frog into seven bits without quarreling.
- The Geese
The old Geese caution their children to avoid a plum-pudding flea.
- The Owls
The old Owls instruct their children to tear a mouse into seven slices and eat cheerfully.
- The Guinea Pigs
The old Guinea Pigs tell their children to eat lettuces calmly.
Key passages
“If you find a cherry, do not fight about who should have it.”
The old Parrots told their children not to quarrel over a cherry.
A warning against conflict over trivial things.
“Whatever you do, be sure you do not touch a plum-pudding flea.”
The old Geese strictly warned their children to avoid a plum-pudding flea.
An absurd and specific caution.
“Above all things, avoid eating a blue boss-woss; for they do not agree with fishes, and give them a pain in their toes.”
The old Fishes advised their children to never eat a blue boss-woss, as it causes toe pain.
A nonsensical warning with a humorous consequence.