# III explained — Nonsense Books

> Chapter companion for Nonsense Books by Edward Lear.

## What happens

The Owl and the Pussycat purchase a ring from a Piggy for a shilling, are married by a Turkey on a hill, dine on mince and quince with a runcible spoon, and dance hand in hand by the moonlight.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The Owl and the Pussycat marry, celebrating their union with a feast and dance.

### Nonsense and Absurdity

A pig selling a ring, a turkey officiating a wedding, and dining on mince and quince with a runcible spoon exemplify Lear's playful nonsense.

## Character check-ins

### The Owl and the Pussycat

The couple buys a ring and gets married.

### The Piggy

Sells his ring for a shilling.

## Key lines

> Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?

The Owl and the Pussycat ask the Piggy if he will sell his ring for a shilling.

_The couple seeks a ring for their wedding._

> So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill.

They take the ring and are married the following day by a Turkey residing on the hill.

_The wedding ceremony is officiated by a Turkey._

> They dined on mince and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon;

They ate a meal of minced meat and quince slices using a runcible spoon.

_The wedding feast features whimsical food and utensil._

> And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon,

Holding hands at the water's edge, they danced under the moonlight.

_The couple celebrates their marriage with a moonlit dance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters