# VII explained — Nonsense Books

> Chapter companion for Nonsense Books by Edward Lear.

## What happens

Mr. Daddy Long-legs and Mr. Floppy Fly rush to the sea, find a little boat with pink and gray sails, and sail away across the silent main to the great Gromboolian Plain, where they play forevermore at battlecock and shuttledore.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Exploration

The characters set sail across the sea to a distant land, embracing a journey of discovery.

### Nonsense and Absurdity

The spontaneous cry, the pink and gray sails, and the eternal game of battlecock and shuttledore embody Lear's whimsical nonsense.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Daddy Long-legs

Rushes to the sea with Mr. Floppy Fly and sails away to the Gromboolian Plain.

### Mr. Floppy Fly

Joins Mr. Daddy Long-legs in rushing to the sea and sailing away.

## Key lines

> Then Mr. Daddy Long-legs And Mr. Floppy Fly Rushed downward to the foamy sea With one sponge-taneous cry

Mr. Daddy Long-legs and Mr. Floppy Fly hurried down to the sea, crying out together in a sudden, spongy impulse.

_Highlights the absurd spontaneity of their departure._

> And off they sailed among the waves, Far and far away: They sailed across the silent main, And reached the great Gromboolian Plain

They sailed far away over the quiet ocean until they arrived at the vast Gromboolian Plain.

_Describes their adventurous voyage to a fantastical destination._

> And there they play forevermore At battlecock and shuttledore.

There they spend all eternity playing a game of battlecock and shuttledore.

_Emphasizes the eternal, playful absurdity of their new life._

## Links

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