Summary: Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat | English Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

"Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat," written by T.S. Eliot under the pseudonym "Old Possum," is a whimsical yet profound poem from his collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Published in the 1930s, this delightful piece captures the lively and authoritative presence of Skimbleshanks, a cat who reigns over the Night Mail train with unmatched control and vigilance. Through playful language, vivid imagery, and anthropomorphism, Eliot transforms Skimbleshanks into a symbol of order, discipline, and authority, subtly reflecting broader themes of control and surveillance in society. The poem’s lighthearted tone, combined with its deeper commentary on power dynamics, makes it an engaging study for ICSE Class 9 English students. Inspired by Eliot’s love for cats and his knack for storytelling, this poem also served as the basis for a character in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats, bringing Skimbleshanks’s spirited persona to a wider audience. Through its rhythmic verses and charming narrative, the poem invites readers to explore the balance between comfort and control in a seemingly orderly world.

About the author

Born in Missouri on 26 September 1888, Thomas Stearns Eliot later moved to England when he was 25 and eventually became a British citizen. In his early years, Eliot suffered from a congenital double inguinal hernia, which restricted his ability to engage in many physical activities. Consequently, he often found himself detached from his peers.

This isolation, however, nurtured his affinity for literature. Once he discovered the joy of reading, he was soon captivated by tales of wild adventures, stories from the Wild West, and the exciting escapades in Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer. His friend, Robert Sencourt, remarked about how a young Eliot would frequently immerse himself in massive books, often choosing a cozy spot in the window-seat.

From 1898 to 1905, Eliot pursued his studies at Smith Academy, the preparatory division for boys of Washington University. Here, he delved into languages such as Latin, Ancient Greek, French, and German. The world of poetry beckoned him at the age of 14, significantly influenced by Edward Fitzgerald’s rendition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Eliot’s literary prowess is renowned, particularly for his works like The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and The Waste Land. Additionally, he penned seven notable plays, with Murder in the Cathedral standing out. His exemplary contributions to literature were recognized with the Nobel Prize in 1948.

In the 1930s, under the pseudonym “Old Possum”, Eliot composed delightful cat poems, often sending them as letters to his godchildren. A known cat enthusiast, Eliot had several cats, endearingly naming them with whimsical tags such as Jellylorum, Pettipaws, Wiscus, and George Pushdragon. These poems inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1981 musical, Cats, in which the character Skimbleshanks, derived from Eliot’s work, is depicted as a spirited and lively figure.

Line-by-line explanation of the poem

1. There’s a whisper down the line at 11.39 / When the Night Mail’s ready to depart,

There are rumors or talks along the railway just before the night train is set to leave.

2. Saying “Skimble where is Skimble has he gone to hunt the thimble? / We must find him or the train can’t start.”

The people are searching for Skimbleshanks, the cat. The mention of “hunt the thimble” is playful, referencing a children’s game, and suggests he might be off on some trivial pursuit. Yet, his presence is crucial for the train to depart.

3. All the guards and all the porters and the stationmaster’s daughters / They are searching high and low, / Saying “Skimble where is Skimble for unless he’s very nimble / Then the Night Mail just can’t go.”

Everyone, from the guards to the stationmaster’s daughters, is looking for Skimbleshanks. They believe the train can’t proceed without him.

4. At 11:42 then the signal’s nearly due / And the passengers are frantic to a man / Then Skimble will appear and he’ll saunter to the rear: / He’s been busy in the luggage van!

At 11:42, just minutes before departure, and as the passengers are growing anxious, Skimbleshanks appears, having been occupied in the luggage compartment of the train.

5. He gives one flash of his glass-green eyes / And the signal goes “All Clear!” / And we’re off at last for the northern part / Of the Northern Hemisphere!

Skimbleshanks’s piercing green eyes signify everything is in order. Once he arrives, the train departs, heading north.

6. You may say that by and large it is Skimble who’s in charge / Of the Sleeping Car Express. / From the driver and the guards to the bagmen playing cards / He will supervise them all, more or less.

Skimbleshanks is effectively in control of the train, overseeing everything and everyone, including the staff.

7. Down the corridor he paces and examines all the faces / Of the travellers in the First and the Third; / He establishes control by a regular patrol / And he’d know at once if anything occurred.

He patrols the corridors, scrutinizing the passengers. He maintains order and instantly knows if something is amiss.

8. He will watch you without winking and he sees what you are thinking / And it’s certain that he doesn’t approve / Of hilarity and riot, so the folk are very quiet / When Skimble is about and on the move.

Skimbleshanks is observant, and his presence commands respect and quietness among the passengers.

9. You can play no pranks with Skimbleshanks! / He’s a Cat that cannot be ignored; / So nothing goes wrong on the Northern Mail / When Skimbleshanks is aboard.

No one dares to act out or play tricks when Skimbleshanks is on duty. His presence ensures everything runs smoothly.

10. Oh, it’s very pleasant when you have found your little den / With your name written up on the door. / And the berth is very neat with a newly folded sheet / And there’s not a speck of dust on the floor. / There is every sort of light-you can make it dark or bright; / There’s a handle that you turn to make a breeze. / There’s a funny little basin you’re supposed to wash your face in / And a crank to shut the window if you sneeze.

These lines depict the comfort and neatness of the train berths, highlighting the amenities available.

11. Then the guard looks in politely and will ask you very brightly / “Do you like your morning tea weak or strong?” / But Skimble’s just behind him and was ready to remind him, / For Skimble won’t let anything go wrong.

Even when other staff interacts with passengers, Skimbleshanks oversees them, ensuring quality service.

12. And when you creep into your cosy berth / And pull up the counterpane, / You ought to reflect that it’s very nice / To know that you won’t be bothered by mice / You can leave all that to the Railway Cat, / The Cat of the Railway Train!

Passengers can rest easy, knowing Skimbleshanks will handle any issues, like a mouse problem, for example.

13. In the watches of the night he is always fresh and bright; / Every now and then he has a cup of tea / With perhaps a drop of Scotch while he’s keeping on the watch, / Only stopping here and there to catch a flea.

Skimbleshanks remains vigilant at night, taking only short breaks for tea or to deal with minor nuisances like fleas.

14. You were fast asleep at Crewe and so you never knew / That he was walking up and down the station; / You were sleeping all the while he was busy at Carlisle, / Where he greets the stationmaster with elation.

The passengers, unaware of Skimbleshanks’s activities at various stations, sleep peacefully.

15. But you saw him at Dumfries, where he speaks to the police / If there’s anything they ought to know about: / When you get to Gallowgate there you do not have to wait / For Skimbleshanks will help you to get out!

He interacts with authorities like the police and assists passengers during stops.

16. He gives you a wave of his long brown tail / Which says: “I’ll see you again! / You’ll meet without fail on the Midnight Mail / The Cat of the Railway Train.”

Skimbleshanks offers a parting gesture with a flick of his tail, implying that he’ll always be present on the Midnight Mail train, ensuring passengers will meet him again the next time they travel.

Summary of the poem

At a busy train station, just before midnight, everyone’s getting ready for the Night Mail’s trip. But there’s a problem – Skimbleshanks, the main cat, is missing! The train workers are super worried because they believe the train can’t go without him. Right when everyone’s getting super anxious, at 11:42 pm, Skimbleshanks pops out from the luggage area, signaling that it’s okay to start the trip.

As the train moves, Skimbleshanks is like the boss. He watches over everyone: the person driving the train and all the passengers. Whether you’re in the fancy seats or the regular ones, he’s there, making sure everyone’s okay and nothing crazy is happening. Everyone feels safe knowing he’s around.

It’s really cool to think of passengers getting comfy in their clean beds, all thanks to Skimbleshanks. He makes sure the little stuff, like getting morning tea ready or keeping annoying mice away, is taken care of. Even when it’s super late and everyone else is sleeping, he’s still up, maybe having a cup of tea or a small drink.

Every time the train stops at a station, Skimbleshanks says hello to the people in charge and talks a bit with the cops. And when the train finally gets to where it’s going, he says bye to everyone with a wave of his tail, as if saying “see you soon.”

So, Skimbleshanks is really important to the Night Mail. He’s not just a cat; he’s like a protector, a friend, and the one who makes sure every trip is fun and safe.

Critical analysis of the poem

• T.S. Eliot’s poem “Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat” presents a lively story set in the busy world of the railway.
• At first glance, it seems like a fun tale about a cat’s adventures on the Night Mail train, but looking closer shows that it comments on how Skimbleshanks has a strong presence and control, resembling a ruler over his territory.
• Right from the beginning, we see how urgent and important Skimbleshanks is. The whole operation of the Night Mail train relies on him.
• This is not just a beloved pet that is missed; he is a vital part of the train's function. The frantic searches by the guards, porters, and even the stationmaster’s daughters highlight his significance.
• As the story goes on, Eliot gives Skimbleshanks many almost superhuman traits.
• His punctuality, the shine of his glass-green eyes that signal an “All Clear,” and his careful watch over passengers all create the image of an all-seeing guardian.
• He is more than just a cat; he is the force that keeps everything in order, making sure the train runs smoothly.
• His ability to “watch you without winking” and know “what you are thinking” adds to this idea of him as a powerful overseer.
• The behavior of the passengers, who are silent and respectful when Skimbleshanks is around, mirrors how people might act in front of a strong leader.
• The idea that “You can play no pranks with Skimbleshanks!” and that he is a “Cat that cannot be ignored” emphasizes his authority.
• Moreover, the comforts and safety on the train, like the absence of mice and well-kept sleeping areas, are credited to Skimbleshanks’s presence.
• It seems that under his watchful gaze, everything is in place, and any chance of chaos or discomfort is quickly dealt with.
• Eliot chooses various settings, from quiet nighttime moments to the busy stations of Crewe and Carlisle, to showcase Skimbleshanks as both everywhere and all-powerful.
• He is constantly present, ensuring everything is as it should be, from the tiniest details to the overall operation of the train.

Themes of the poem

• Absolute Control: Skimbleshanks’s presence is essential for the train’s departure, indicating his absolute control over the train’s operations. The train cannot move without his approval.
• Surveillance: Skimbleshanks constantly monitors everyone, from the staff to the passengers. “He will watch you without winking and he sees what you are thinking.” This line suggests an omnipresent, omniscient figure who observes everything, reminiscent of a surveillance state.
• Suppression of Dissent: The passengers and crew are “very quiet” when Skimbleshanks is around, and there is no “hilarity or riot.” This might suggest an environment where freedom of expression and joy is stifled in favor of order and discipline.
• Inescapable Presence: No matter where one goes or what time it is, Skimbleshanks is there. His omnipresence can be comforting to some but also oppressive to others, as he is always watching and supervising.
• Fear and Respect: The phrase “You can play no pranks with Skimbleshanks! He’s a Cat that cannot be ignored” indicates that he commands a mix of respect and fear. There’s a sense that one shouldn’t cross him.
• Anthropomorphism as a Tool of Power: By attributing human characteristics to Skimbleshanks, such as drinking tea and supervising, he is elevated from a mere cat to a figure of authority and dominance.

Word meanings

• Skimbleshanks: The name of the cat, the main character of the poem.
• Night Mail: Refers to a night train service, possibly one that carried mail as well as passengers.
• Thimble: A small protective shield, usually made of metal or plastic, worn on a finger or thumb for sewing or stitching.
• Stationmaster: An official in charge of a railway station.
• Nimble: Quick and light in movement or action; agile.
• Luggage van: A compartment or carriage on a train designed to store luggage.
• Glass-green eyes: Refers to the unique eye color of the cat, Skimbleshanks.
• Northern Hemisphere: The half of the Earth that lies north of the equator.
• Sleeping Car Express: A train service where passengers can sleep in beds in specially designed compartments.
• First and the Third: Refers to the first and third class compartments or sections of the train.
• Hilarity and riot: Great enjoyment, excitement, or fun.
• Counterpane: Another term for bedspread or quilt.
• Watches of the night: Different periods or shifts during the night.
• Crewe, Carlisle, Dumfries, Gallowgate: These are all places in the UK, suggesting that the poem’s train journey takes place across the UK.
• Drop of Scotch: Referring to a small amount of Scotch whiskey.
• Elation: Great happiness and exhilaration.