# The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker, and the Tongs explained — Nonsense Books

> Chapter companion for Nonsense Books by Edward Lear.

## What happens

The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker, and the Tongs take a drive in the park, singing songs. The Poker declares his love for the Shovel, and the Tongs laments his unrequited affection for the Broom. The Broom and Shovel reject their advances, threatening violence, but after the coachman drives them home, they all reconcile and become happy again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nonsense and Absurdity

The poem features inanimate household objects singing, driving in a coach, and expressing romantic feelings, epitomizing Lear's characteristic nonsense.

### Love and Marriage

The Poker and Tongs each sing songs of romantic longing to the Shovel and Broom, though their affections are initially rebuffed.

## Character check-ins

### The Broom, Shovel, Poker, and Tongs

The four household objects take a drive, sing songs, and experience romantic tensions before reconciling.

## Key lines

> O Shovely so lovely! the Poker he sang, You have perfectly conquered my heart.

The Poker declares his love for the Shovel, saying she has won his heart.

_The Poker's romantic song to the Shovel._

> Alas! Mrs. Broom, sighed the Tongs in his song, Oh! is it because I'm so thin, And my legs are so long... That you don't care about me a pin?

The Tongs laments that the Broom does not care for him, wondering if it is because of his thin, long legs.

_The Tongs' unrequited affection for the Broom._

> But they put on the kettle, and little by little They all became happy again.

After returning home, they made tea and gradually their anger subsided, and they became cheerful once more.

_The reconciliation of the four characters after their quarrel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/the-broom-the-shovel-the-poker-and-the-tongs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters