Ballad Of The Jelly-Cake

By Eugene Field

Narrative Poem
    A little boy whose name was Tim     Once ate some jelly-cake for tea--     Which cake did not agree with him,     As by the sequel you shall see.     "My darling child," his mother said,     "Pray do not eat that jelly-cake,     For, after you have gone to bed,     I fear 't will make your stomach ache!"     But foolish little Tim demurred     Unto his mother's warning word.     That night, while all the household slept,     Tim felt an awful pain, and then     From out the dark a nightmare leapt     And stood upon his abdomen!     "I cannot breathe!" the infant cried--     "Oh, Mrs. Nightmare, pity take!"     "There is no mercy," she replied,     "For boys who feast on jelly-cake!"     And so, despite the moans of Tim,     The cruel nightmare went for him.     At first, she 'd tickle Timmy's toes     Or roughly smite his baby cheek--     And now she 'd rudely tweak his nose     And other petty vengeance wreak;     And then, with hobnails in her shoes     And her two horrid eyes aflame,     The mare proceeded to amuse     Herself by prancing o'er his frame---     First to his throbbing brow, and then     Back to his little feet again.     At last, fantastic, wild, and weird,     And clad in garments ghastly grim,     A scowling hoodoo band appeared     And joined in worrying little Tim.     Each member of this hoodoo horde     Surrounded Tim with fierce ado     And with long, cruel gimlets bored     His aching system through and through,     And while they labored all night long     The nightmare neighed a dismal song.     Next morning, looking pale and wild,     Poor little Tim emerged from bed--     "Good gracious! what can ail the child!"     His agitated mother said.     "We live to learn," responded he,     "And I have lived to learn to take     Plain bread and butter for my tea,     And never, never, jelly-cake!     For when my hulk with pastry teems,     I must _expect_ unpleasant dreams!"

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem narrates the tale of a young boy, Tim, who disobeys his mother's advice and suffers a disturbing, dream-filled night as a consequence. The theme revolves around childhood disobedience, parental wisdom, and the consequences of indulgence. The tone is playful yet cautionary, with a dash of whimsical horror that effectively communicates the lessons the poem seeks to impart.

The poem's structure follows a consistent rhyming scheme, using couplets to create a rhythmic, sing-song quality reminiscent of traditional nursery rhymes. This lighthearted structure contrasts with the somewhat unsettling content, lending a unique charm and intrigue to the narrative. The use of personification is quite prominent, transforming the nightmare into a tangible, menacing figure that physically torments Tim, illustrating a child's vivid imagination and their perception of discomfort or pain. The final conclusion, revealing Tim's newfound wisdom in avoiding jelly-cake, encapsulates the poem's moral—heed wise advice and avoid excess.

The poet also utilizes vivid and imaginative language to portray the nightmare, using phrases like 'hobnails in her shoes', 'ghastly grim', and 'scowling hoodoo band' to evoke a fantastical, eerie imagery. This imaginative use of language reinforces the theme of childhood imagination and its role in interpreting real-world experiences. The simplistic diction and rhymes make the poem accessible and relatable, while its moral message resonates with readers of all ages.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.