Ogden Nash’s full name is Frederic Ogden Nash, who was an American poet, well known for his light verse. He was known as the country’s best known producer of humorous poetry. Nash wrote about 500 pieces of comic verse and the best of his publications was during the period 1931 to 1972.
His first publications of poems were in 1931, which earned him his National recognition. Nash was well known for surprising, pun like rhymes, sometimes words deliberately misspelled for a comic effect. Nash was a baseball fan and he wrote a poem listing baseball immortals.
“The Adventures of Isabel” is a poem that reflects the courage of a little girl, no matter what hurdles came her way. In the first few lines, it says that, the girl was frightened by a bear, for which she ate the bear instead of screaming or crying like any other child. Even though the bear tried frightening her by saying that he is going to eat her. She remained calm and instead she ate the bear.
Next she meets a witch in the midst of darkness and the face of the witch was crooked with scary gums and teeth. She said she will curse Isabel and turn her into a toad. Still then, Isabel was neither frightened nor did she scream, instead she turned the witch into milk and easily drank her up.
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Next she meets a giant, who was horrible looking and only having one eye, still she feared not and even when she was said that she will be his dinner, she just coolly cut the giant’s head off and moves further.
And finally she meets a doctor, who seemed to be troubled. He tried all his treatments and later even offered her some pills. However, in spite seeing all the medications and treatments, Isabel did not get scared or scream; instead she stood cool and treated the doctor by her attitude.
This poem shows how attitude of a person could enable him to come of any situation that he is put in. Even if he may have to travel through the toughest time, if he has an attitude to come over, he would do it, no matter what obstacles he may face and however he may be feared.
A great poem described in the form of a child’s innocence.
