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Do you have a pet cat? Have you ever noticed anything
mysterious about it? It is not easy to say whether every cat is a
mystery, but Macavity is one, for sure. What is it that makes
him a perfect mystery cat? Read the poem and find out.
Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden
Paw —
For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.
He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s
despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime — Macavity’s
not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like
Macavity,
He’s broken every human law, he breaks
the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir
stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime
— Macavity’s not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you
may look up in the air —
But I tell you once and once again,
Macavity’s not there!
Macavity’s a ginger cat, he’s very tall and
thin;
You would know him if you saw him, for
his eyes are sunken in.
His brow is deeply lined with thought, his
head is highly domed;
Macavity : The Mystery Cat
2022-23
Page 2


Do you have a pet cat? Have you ever noticed anything
mysterious about it? It is not easy to say whether every cat is a
mystery, but Macavity is one, for sure. What is it that makes
him a perfect mystery cat? Read the poem and find out.
Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden
Paw —
For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.
He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s
despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime — Macavity’s
not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like
Macavity,
He’s broken every human law, he breaks
the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir
stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime
— Macavity’s not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you
may look up in the air —
But I tell you once and once again,
Macavity’s not there!
Macavity’s a ginger cat, he’s very tall and
thin;
You would know him if you saw him, for
his eyes are sunken in.
His brow is deeply lined with thought, his
head is highly domed;
Macavity : The Mystery Cat
2022-23
His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed.
He sways his head from side to side, with movements
like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.
You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in
the square —
But when a crime’s discovered, then Macavity’s not there!
T.S. ELIOT
defy: disobey or resist openly
Scotland Yard: the headquarters of the London police force
Flying Squad: a group of police or soldiers ready to move into action quickly
levitation: floating in the air without support
fiend: devil
feline: of, or relating to, a cat
depravity: moral corruption
1. Read the first stanza and think.
(i) Is Macavity a cat really?
(ii) If not, who can Macavity be?
2. Complete the following sentences.
(i) A master criminal is one who ___________________
(ii) The Scotland Yard is baffled because ___________________
(iii) ___________________ because Macavity moves much faster than them.
3. “A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through”.
(Jules Verne)
Which law is Macavity breaking in the light of the comment above?
Macavity : The Mystery Cat 51 51 51 51 51
2022-23
Page 3


Do you have a pet cat? Have you ever noticed anything
mysterious about it? It is not easy to say whether every cat is a
mystery, but Macavity is one, for sure. What is it that makes
him a perfect mystery cat? Read the poem and find out.
Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden
Paw —
For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.
He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s
despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime — Macavity’s
not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like
Macavity,
He’s broken every human law, he breaks
the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir
stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime
— Macavity’s not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you
may look up in the air —
But I tell you once and once again,
Macavity’s not there!
Macavity’s a ginger cat, he’s very tall and
thin;
You would know him if you saw him, for
his eyes are sunken in.
His brow is deeply lined with thought, his
head is highly domed;
Macavity : The Mystery Cat
2022-23
His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed.
He sways his head from side to side, with movements
like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.
You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in
the square —
But when a crime’s discovered, then Macavity’s not there!
T.S. ELIOT
defy: disobey or resist openly
Scotland Yard: the headquarters of the London police force
Flying Squad: a group of police or soldiers ready to move into action quickly
levitation: floating in the air without support
fiend: devil
feline: of, or relating to, a cat
depravity: moral corruption
1. Read the first stanza and think.
(i) Is Macavity a cat really?
(ii) If not, who can Macavity be?
2. Complete the following sentences.
(i) A master criminal is one who ___________________
(ii) The Scotland Yard is baffled because ___________________
(iii) ___________________ because Macavity moves much faster than them.
3. “A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through”.
(Jules Verne)
Which law is Macavity breaking in the light of the comment above?
Macavity : The Mystery Cat 51 51 51 51 51
2022-23
Honeydew 52 52 52 52 52
4. Read stanza 3, and then, describe Macavity in two or three sentences of
your own.
5. Say ‘False’ or ‘True’ for each of the following statements.
(i) Macavity is not an ordinary cat.
(ii) Macavity cannot do what a fakir can easily do.
(iii) Macavity has supernatural powers.
(iv) Macavity is well-dressed, smart and bright.
(v) Macavity is a spy, a trickster and a criminal, all rolled in one.
6. Having read the poem, try to guess whether the poet is fond of cats. If so,
why does he call Macavity a fiend and monster?
7. Has the poet used exaggeration for special effect? Find a few examples of it
and read those lines aloud.
Rick: What did Papa Firefly tell Mama Firefly?
Hick: I don’t know.
Rick: Isn’t our child bright for his age!
Mary: Why isn’t a nose twelve inches long?
Jo: I don’t know. Why?
Mary: Because if it was twelve inches long it would be
a foot.
Anita: I got a hundred in school today.
Mother: That’s wonderful. What did you get a hundred in?
Anita: Forty in Maths and sixty in English.
2022-23
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FAQs on NCERT Textbook : Poem - Macavity: The Mystery Cat - NCERT Textbooks & Solutions for Class 8

1. What is the summary of the poem "Macavity: The Mystery Cat"?
Ans. "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" is a poem written by T.S. Eliot. It portrays Macavity, a notorious and elusive cat who is considered the master criminal of his time. The poem describes Macavity's physical appearance, his cunning nature, and his ability to commit crimes without leaving any evidence behind. Despite his mischievous activities, Macavity always manages to escape the scene of the crime, making it difficult for the police to catch him.
2. What are the characteristics of Macavity described in the poem?
Ans. The poem "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" describes Macavity as a tall and thin cat with sunken eyes and a highly domed forehead. He has a shifty appearance and is covered in ginger fur. Macavity is known for his remarkable agility and his ability to move silently. He is depicted as a master of deception, always managing to escape capture by the authorities. Macavity is shown as a mysterious and cunning character in the poem.
3. How does Macavity commit his crimes without being caught?
Ans. Macavity is portrayed as a highly intelligent and cunning cat in the poem. He commits his crimes by taking advantage of his agility and stealth. Macavity is able to move silently and swiftly, making it difficult for anyone to catch him in the act. He also displays a great ability to deceive, leaving no evidence behind him. Macavity's skills and cunning nature enable him to escape from the crime scene before anyone can catch him.
4. What is the significance of Macavity being called the "Napoleon of Crime"?
Ans. Macavity being called the "Napoleon of Crime" emphasizes his status as a master criminal. The reference to Napoleon, who was a highly successful military leader, suggests that Macavity is similarly skilled and influential in the world of crime. It highlights Macavity's ability to outsmart the authorities and manipulate situations to his advantage. This title adds to the mystery and aura surrounding Macavity's character in the poem.
5. How does the poem "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" end?
Ans. The poem "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" ends with the narrator acknowledging the extraordinary character of Macavity. Despite his crimes and mischievous nature, Macavity always manages to escape capture. The narrator concludes that Macavity is not like any other cat, as he possesses exceptional skills and intelligence. The poem leaves the reader with a sense of awe and intrigue towards Macavity and his mysterious ways.
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