Nonsense Books · Chapter
Chapter XIII: Of What Became of the Parents of the Forty-Nine Children explained
Upon learning of the catastrophic loss of all their children through newspaper reports, the parents of the forty-nine children—including two old Parrots, Storks, Geese, Owls, Guinea Pigs, Cats, and Fishes—refuse to eat further.
What happens
Upon learning of the catastrophic loss of all their children through newspaper reports, the parents of the forty-nine children—including two old Parrots, Storks, Geese, Owls, Guinea Pigs, Cats, and Fishes—refuse to eat further. They purchase large quantities of cayenne pepper, brandy, vinegar, blue sealing-wax, and seven large glass bottles with airtight stoppers. After a light supper, they take a formal and affecting leave of their numerous and distinguished acquaintance.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Loss
The parents' reaction to the extinction of their entire families highlights themes of grief and mortality.
Social Absurdity and Conformity
The formal, almost ritualistic purchase of bizarre items and the affecting leave of a 'responsible and ridiculous' acquaintance underscore the absurdity of social conventions in the face of tragedy.
Characters to notice
- The Parrots
Two old Parrots, parents of the seven young Parrots who fought and died.
- The Storks
Two old Storks, parents of the seven young Storks.
- The Geese
Two old Geese, parents of the seven young Geese.
- The Owls
Two old Owls, parents of the seven young Owls.
- The Guinea Pigs
Two old Guinea Pigs, parents of the seven young Guinea Pigs killed by a lettuce.
Key passages
“they refused all further sustenance; and, sending out to various shops, they purchased great quantities of Cayenne pepper and brandy and vinegar and blue sealing-wax, besides seven immense glass bottles with airtight stoppers.”
They stopped eating and bought large amounts of cayenne pepper, brandy, vinegar, blue sealing-wax, and seven huge glass bottles with airtight lids.
The parents prepare for a dramatic and absurd farewell ritual.
“they ate a light supper of brown-bread and Jerusalem artichokes, and took an affecting and formal leave of the whole of their acquaintance, which was very numerous and distinguished and select and responsible and ridiculous.”
They had a modest meal of brown bread and Jerusalem artichokes, then said a heartfelt and proper goodbye to all their friends, who were described as many, notable, exclusive, dependable, and absurd.
The juxtaposition of 'responsible' and 'ridiculous' highlights Lear's characteristic blend of solemnity and nonsense.