# More Nonsense Pictures, Rhymes, Botany, etc. explained — Nonsense Books

> Chapter companion for Nonsense Books by Edward Lear.

## What happens

In the introduction to this third volume of nonsense, Edward Lear recounts the pleasure of public appreciation, clarifies that he alone composed the rhymes and illustrations (refuting rumors that Lord Derby was the author), and describes the origin and publication history of his earlier books. The chapter then presents a series of nonsense botany names and numerous short limerick-like verses featuring absurd characters and situations.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nonsense and Absurdity

The entire chapter is a celebration of pure nonsense, with Lear explicitly stating that 'Nonsense, pure and absolute' was his aim throughout.

### Social Absurdity and Conformity

Many limericks depict characters behaving in bizarre or socially inappropriate ways, such as the old man who boiled eggs in his shoes or the person who ate spiders and crust.

### Self-Identity and Eccentricity

The limericks feature a parade of eccentric individuals, each defined by their peculiar habits and reactions, reinforcing the theme of quirky self-identity.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Lear

Author and illustrator of the book; recounts the history of his nonsense works and refutes rumors about their authorship.

### Lord Derby

Mentioned as the subject of a false rumor that he was the author of the first Book of Nonsense.

### The Mice

Referenced in the limerick about the young person of Bantry who appeased them with rice.

### The Parrots

Referenced in the limerick about the old man of Dunrose whose nose was seized by a parrot.

### The Cats

Mentioned among the animals that followed the old person of Shields.

### The Fishes

Referenced in the limerick about the old person of Bree who nursed small fishes, and in the limerick about the old man of the Dargle who rolled barrels of gargle for the fish.

## Key lines

> Nonsense, pure and absolute, having been my aim throughout.

Lear states that his goal in the book was to create pure, unadulterated nonsense.

_This quote encapsulates the central purpose of the chapter and Lear's work._

> I am in a position to know that the whole book was composed and illustrated by Lord Derby himself. In fact, there is no such a person at all as Edward Lear.

A fellow passenger on a train insisted that Lord Derby was the true author of the Book of Nonsense and that Edward Lear did not exist.

_This anecdote illustrates the persistent rumor that Lear sought to correct._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/more-nonsense-pictures-rhymes-botany-etc
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters