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‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’ by T. S. Eliot describes the evil untraceable deeds of a ginger cat named Macavity, an embodimentof the fictional character Professor Moriarty. The poem introduces the feline character, Macavity, as the “Hidden Paw” as he is one such criminal who can defy the law quite easily. Not even Scotland Yard or Flying Squad could...
In ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat,’ Eliot includes the themes of deceit, crime, and mystery. What is most intriguing about this poem is how Eliot uses the theme of appearance versus reality. The ginger cat Macavity seems to be involved in numerous criminal acts. Yet, none can prove his direct involvement in any of those crimes. Law enforcers try to con...
‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’ consists of seven stanzas, with the line count varying from four to eight. The poem begins with a quatrain followed by two six-line stanzas. Then, there is another quatrain followed by a six-line stanza. The poem ends with two eight-line stanzas. Eliot uses the AABB rhyme scheme of the rhyming couplets. For instance, the...
Eliot uses a number of literary devices in ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’ that include: 1. Refrain: In this poem, Eliot uses the lines “Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity” and “Macavity’s not there” as refrains. The first refrain is used at the beginning of stanzas two, four, and seven, and the second refrain occurs in the last line of s...
Lines 1-10
T. S. Eliot’s poem ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’ is about a mysterious, villainous cat named Macavity. According to the poem’s speaker, he is also known as the “Hidden Paw.” It means that Macavity has its paw in every crime committed in the city. Yet, none can make out his role in the act. He is the mastermind and can defy the “Law” quite easily. Not even the famous Scotland Yard (popularized by Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories of Sherlock Holmes) or the Flying Squad can get a hand on Mac...
Lines 11-20
The third stanza elaborates on the physical features of Macavity that help readers to imagine what this cat really looks like. Firstly, he is a ginger cat, having yellowish, orangish fur. He is oddly tall and thin. His brow is deeply lined as if he is always thinking, and his head is dome-shaped. None cares for the cat. That is why he has a dusty coat and uncombed whiskers. He sways his head from side to side, and while walking, it seems as if he is a snake in feline shape. Even if it seems h...
Lines 21-26
The fifth stanza begins with a terse remark. Macavity is, by no means, a respectable person. People are aware of his deeds and how he cheats while playing cards, even though he maintains an air of respectability. His criminal activities go unrecorded in Scotland Yard’s files. Besides, he is involved in acts of theft, murder, and vandalism. Whenever the larder is looted, and a jewel case goes missing, Macavity has some form of involvement. Be it a trifling theft of milk or a serious murder of...
Like ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat,’ you can also read the following poems from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. You can also read other T. S. Eliot poems. 1. ‘The Naming of Cats’— In this poem, Eliot introduces all the cats present in his light versebook. 2. ‘The Song of the Jellicles’— This piece is about the Jellicle cats, always in preparation...
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A summary of “The Black Cat” (1843) in Edgar Allan Poe's Poe’s Short Stories. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Poe’s Short Stories and what it means. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.
Feb 24, 2015 · At every station, the cat gets off the train and refreshes himself. In the morning, when you reach your station, you can see Skimble in front of you, bidding goodbye to you. He gives you a wave of his long brown tail and tells you, “ I’ll see you again!”. This is the substance of the poem. In other words, the poet describes the importance ...
Aug 7, 2020 · Neil Curry, in his book [Christopher Smart] (By: Neil Curry) [published: June, 2004], describes Jeoffry as the ‘most famous cat in the whole history of English literature’, and the 74-line excerpt from Jubilate Agno may well be the greatest cat poem in the language. The poem is religious: Jeoffry, like Smart (who was confined partly because ...
Full Story Analysis. Margot, the protagonist of Kristen Roupenian’s story “Cat Person,” faces issues of consent, control, and conformity during a brief relationship, unable to fulfill contradictory cultural expectations that she has unconsciously adopted. Faced with the choice of honoring herself or pleasing others, Margot suppresses her ...
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Sep 16, 2014 · Summary of Macavity: The Mystery Cat. Thomas Stearns Elliot describes a mysterious cat of extremely villainous characterization in his poem, “Macavity: The Mystery Cat.”. This cat is known by the name ‘Hidden Paw’ as he is the criminal mastermind who disregards law. He is an enigmatic figure to even the specialized detective agencies of ...
