Nonsense Books · Chapter
The Courtship of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò explained
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò, a lonely creature living on the Coast of Coromandel with only two old chairs, half a candle, and a jug without a handle, proposes marriage to Lady Jingly Jones.
What happens
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò, a lonely creature living on the Coast of Coromandel with only two old chairs, half a candle, and a jug without a handle, proposes marriage to Lady Jingly Jones. She sadly declines, revealing she already has a mate in England named Handel Jones. Heartbroken, the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò flees on the back of a Turtle across the ocean, while Lady Jingly remains on the coast mourning him.
Themes in this chapter
Loneliness and Longing
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò expresses weariness of living singly and seeks companionship, only to be rejected.
Love and Marriage
The central plot revolves around a marriage proposal and the complications of unrequited love.
Adventure and Exploration
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò embarks on a journey across the ocean on a Turtle after his rejection.
Characters to notice
- The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò
Proposes marriage to Lady Jingly Jones, is rejected, and flees on a Turtle.
- Lady Jingly Jones
Declines the proposal, revealing she has a mate in England, and mourns the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò after he leaves.
- Mr. Jones
Mentioned as Lady Jingly's mate in England, Handel Jones, who sends Dorking fowls.
- The Turtle
Carries the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò across the ocean after his rejection.
Key passages
“Two old chairs, and half a candle, One old jug without a handle— These were all his worldly goods”
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò owned only two chairs, a half-candle, and a handleless jug.
Highlights the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò's poverty and simplicity.
“I am tired of living singly— On this coast so wild and shingly— I'm a-weary of my life”
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò is weary of his solitary life on the wild coast.
Expresses his loneliness and desire for companionship.
“Your proposal comes too late, Mr. Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò! I would be your wife most gladly! ... But in England I've a mate!”
Lady Jingly sadly explains she would have accepted his proposal, but she is already committed to a man in England.
The pivotal rejection that drives the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò to leave.
“Down the slippery slopes of Myrtle, ... To the calm and silent sea Fled the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò.”
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò fled down the slopes to the sea.
Marks his departure after being rejected.
“Lady Jingly Jones, farewell!”
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò bids farewell to Lady Jingly as he rides away on the Turtle.
Final farewell as he leaves the coast.