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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 the world like the Scotland Yard and the Flying Squad. These agencies had accepted their defeat by this clever cat and therefore he is considered as the ‘bafflement’ of the Scotland Yard.
‘For when they reach the scene of crime-Macavity’s not there.’ Macavity is too clever to be caught and he is nowhere near at the crime spot. The poet says that Macavity disobeys all human laws and also the law of gravity. His levitation is so powerful that it causes a fakir to stare bewildered. But when the crime spot is reached, Macavity is not there. The poet says that we may search him in the basement or we may look up in the air but Macavity is not there.
T.S Eliot describes Macavity as a ginger cat who is both tall and thin. He can be recognized from his eyes which are deeply sunken in. This cat has lines on his forehead steeped with thoughts; he has a head that is highly domed while his coat is untidy and his whiskers uncombed. Macavity moves like a snake and whenever he is mistaken to be asleep, he is wide awake.
The poet says there is no one like Macavity. He is a devil in disguise of a cat; he is a monster of wickedness. One may meet him in a by-street or in the square but when the crime is discovered, Macavity is not there.
Macavity’s footprint’s are never to be found in any file of the Scotland Yard’s. Here, the poet mentions some of his crimes. He says that Macavity is the one behind looting the larder, or the jewel-case. He is also behind the breaking of the greenhouse glass and the trellis. Also when the milk goes missing or Peke’s been smothered; it is Macavity to be blamed. The most surprising factor that connects them is that when the offence is discovered, Macavity is not there.
When the Foreign Office’s Treaty is not found or the Admiralty loses some plans and drawing, it is useless to investigate as they all know that the mastermind behind this act is undoubtedly Macavity’s. But Macavity’s a mile away from the scene of crime; he is either relaxing or licking his thumbs or has occupied himself in solving complicated long division sums.
The final stanza of the poem states that there has never been a cat of such deceitfulness and tactfulness. Macavity is always ready with an alibi or two and when the crimes are discovered Macavity is not there. T.S Eliot talks about other wicked cats namely Mungojerrie and Griddlebone who are nothing but agents of Macavity: The Napoleon of Crime.
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summary of the poem macavity Related: NCERT Solutions: Poem - Macavit...
Summary of the poem Macavity:

The poem "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" by T.S. Eliot is a humorous and imaginative portrayal of a notorious and elusive cat named Macavity. The poem describes Macavity as a master criminal who is always able to escape capture, leaving behind only his reputation and a sense of mystery.

Introduction:
The poem begins by introducing Macavity as the "Napoleon of Crime" and describes him as a tall and thin cat with sunken eyes and a highly skilled criminal mind. Macavity is depicted as a formidable and cunning character, feared by both humans and fellow cats alike.

Macavity's Mysterious Actions:
The poem goes on to describe Macavity's mysterious actions. It is mentioned that Macavity is responsible for numerous crimes, including stealing milk and fish, breaking into houses, and committing burglaries. However, whenever the authorities try to apprehend him, Macavity manages to escape by using his agility, intelligence, and scheming nature.

Macavity's Elusiveness:
Macavity's ability to escape capture is emphasized throughout the poem. He is depicted as being able to vanish and reappear at will, leaving behind no evidence or trace of his presence. Even when the police are closing in on him, Macavity manages to slip away, leaving them in a state of confusion and frustration.

Macavity's Reputation:
The poem also highlights Macavity's reputation among other cats. It is mentioned that other cats are well aware of his notorious activities and are fearful of him. Macavity's name strikes fear into the hearts of his feline counterparts, and they prefer to keep their distance from him.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" is a whimsical and entertaining poem that portrays Macavity as a larger-than-life character. The poem highlights his intelligence, agility, and ability to elude capture, leaving behind a sense of mystery and intrigue. Macavity's reputation as a master criminal and his ability to vanish into thin air make him a fascinating and enigmatic figure.
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summary of the poem macavity Related: NCERT Solutions: Poem - Macavity The Mystery Cat, English, Class 8?
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