Reviewing the poem ‘Mr. Nobody’ (Author Unknown)
I KNOW A FUNNY LITTLE MAN,
AS QUIET AS A MOUSE,
WHO DOES THE MISCHIEF THAT IS DONE,
IN EVERYBODY'S HOUSE !
THERE'S NO ONE EVER SEEN HIS FACE,
AND YET WE ALL AGREE
THAT EVERY PLATE WE BRAKE WAS CRACKED
BY MR.NOBODY.
'Tis HE WHO ALWAYS TEARS OUR BOOKS,
WHO LEAVES THE DOOR AJAR,
HE PULLS THE BUTTONS FROM OUR SHIRTS,
AND SCATTERS PINS AFAR;
THAT SQUEAKING DOOR WILL ALWAYS SQUEAK,
FOR,PRITHEE,DON'T YOU SEE,
WE LEAVE THE OILING TO BE DONE
BY MR.NOBODY.
HE PUTS DAMP WOOD UPON THE FIRE,
THAT KETTLES CANNOT BOIL;
HIS ARE THE FEET THAT BRING IN MUD,
AND ALL THE CARPETS SOIL.
THE PAPERS ALWAYS ARE MISLAID
WHO HAD THE LAST BUT HE ?
THERE'S NO ONE TOSSES THEM ABOUT
BUT MR.NOBODY .
THE FINGER MARKS UPON THE DOOR
BY NONE OF US ARE MADE;
WE NEVER LEAVE THE BLINDS UNCLOSED,
TO LET THE CURTAINS FADE ;
THE INK WE NEVER SPILL ;THE BOOTS
THAT LYING ROUND YOU SEE
ARE NOT OUR BOOTS - THEY ALL BELONG
TO MR.NOBODY.
Meaning of the poem :
STANZA 1 :-
The funny little man mentioned in the poem is a little boy, perhaps three to five years old. This is because; a child within that age usually does not talk much rather than making things that require them to learn. However, they often create trouble to people around them. Like in this stanza, there are cracked plates but people tend not to scold them because they are in the learning process though people know they do it.
STANZA 2 :-
The same thing happen mentioned in this stanza, the child creates another trouble in the house. Some of the troubles are the books have been torn, the buttons have been pulled out from the shirts and the pins are scattered. However, seeing that the little boy needs to learn, they leave the squeaking door to be oiled by the boy for him to learn.
STANZA 3 :-
Within this age also, the child may be doing something that may annoy some other people. The examples are given in this stanza such as Mr. Nobody puts damp woods upon the fire which causes the kettle cannot be boiled, bringing the mud into the house and make the carpet soiled, and papers are mislaid. People know that no one could do such things except for Mr. Nobody.
STANZA 4 :-
However, though people like Mr. Nobody is quite troubling, they need to be directed and to be taught the meaning of life. Not to forget they become like that because they are in the process of learning. Therefore, we as adult or people that are older and already matured must show a good talent for them to follow the right role model. For example in this stanza, Mr. Nobody does not know the meaning of privacy which he lets the door and the curtain open, leaving the boots not in the right place and spilling inks.
Synopsis of the poem :
The poem is about a mysterious little person who creates a lot of mischief in the house and gets away with it. This person is named as Mr. Nobody to give a shroud of mystery to the persona. He is not noticed as he moves around very quietly. Mr. Nobody makes a mess of things in the house. He uses things but never puts them back in order. He dirties the house, leaves his prints everywhere, soils the carpet and the curtains. When things are misplaced in the house, everyone points the finger to Mr. Nobody. Yet he never gets caught as no one has ever seen him or reports of his deeds.
Behaving badly and not owning up.
A suitable title because the purpose is to blame nobody. Nobody is a non-person so he is the best person to push the blame to.
The poem is set in the house as the persona talks about the situation in the house. Things get broken, misplaced and thrown around by an unseen person. His behavior messes up the house.
It is the poet’s voice. The poet is also the persona. There is one voice but several character are involved – I, we, Mr. Nobody.
A limited rhyming pattern – only lines 2 and 4 of each stanza rhyme.
Similie : As quiet as a mouse.
Imagery : Images of mess - mud, carpets soiled, papers mislaid, finger marks upon the door, ink…spilled, boots lying around.
Metaphor : the door ajar is like saying Mr. Nobody moves in and out like a thief unseen. The squeaking door will always squeak as though it is a mouse.
· See – mud, marks, curtains fade, books, door ajar
· Hear – quiet, break, cracked, tears, squek
Simple and direct. Every stanza ends with Mr. Nobody. Old expressions are used – prithee. Double meaning is used to create humor such as Mr Nobody refers to a person and a non-person. Lying means not telling the truth or being found all over. We can see contrast or irony no one ever sees his face…yet we all agree that he is the mischief maker. This is used to express sarcasm.
The topic is serious but the tone is casual.
· -Responsiblibility for one’s action. Very few people own up when they create a problem. They tend to put the blame on others.
· - Respect for family members.
· - Cultivate a good habit.
· - We must work together to look after the family home.
· - Have respect for other’s property.
· - Value and appreciate things at home
· - Practice discipline wherever and whenever necessary.
· - We must be tidy all the time.
· - Appreciate the person who has to clean up after us.
Sample Questions For the poem– Mr. Nobody
Mr. Nobody (stanza1)
I know a funny little man,
As quiet as a mouse,
Who does the mischief that is done
In everybody’s house!
There’s no one ever sees his face,
And yet we all agree
That every plate we break was cracked
By Mr. Nobody
Author Unknown
1. According to the first stanza, everyone……….:
A. agrees that Mr. Nobody creates all the mischief
B. has seen the person who is funny
C. knows that Mr. Nobody is actually a mouse that runs around the house.
D. knows Mr. Nobody goes around disturbing everyone.
2. The use of the simile ‘ As quiet as a mouse’ implies that Mr. Nobody is….
A. so quiet that he is unnoticed
B. as dirty as the house mouse
- able to walk fast just like a mouse
D. a person who will not talk
3. The poem is about…
A. a funny invisible person
B. mischief created by someone
C. a naughty boy
D. Mr. Nobody’s life
Answer: 1. A. 2. A. 3. B
