Скачать или смотреть There was an old man of the west Edward Lear Lyrics Limerick Rhyme Classics Illustrated subtitles

Breaking the rules of reciting poems! George Pitropogiannakis as Classics Illustrated Junior grandfather-storyteller presents Edward Lear’s poem "There was an old man of the west". Not by a Grandmother but by a Grandfather! ". In the Winter time not near the fireplace but sitting in front of the snowy Livadi Plateau that is located 9km west of Krousonas and 35km southwest of Heraklion Crete, on the eastern slopes of Psiloritis. It is especially picturesque when its many pear and apple trees bloom. Accessible via a dirt road from Krousonas, the area has seen significant growth due to agro-tourism developments by local landowners, attracting visitors year-round.
Water from the plateau drains through sinkholes to the Sarchos cave and possibly feeds the Almyros River. The area is also known for its many churches, such as Agios Methodios, Agios Charalambos, Agios Fokas and Georgios, and Agia Marina. A dirt road crossing the plateau leads to ancient Zominthos and connects with the main route to the Nida Plateau, offering an alternative path to climb Psiloritis.(This is the point on Google Maps 35°14'36.6"N 24°56'34.4"E).
Edward Lear’s "There was an Old Man of the West" is a deceptively simple limerick that encapsulates his unique blend of whimsy, absurdity, and subtle social critique. As with many of Lear’s nonsense poems, the apparent silliness veils a deeper reflection on individuality, discomfort, and the tension between self and society.
There was an Old Man of the West,
Who wore a pale plum-coloured vest;
When they said, "Does it fit?"
He replied, "Not a bit!"
That uneasy Old Man of the West.
Structurally, the poem is a classic limerick: five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme and anapestic meter. The rhythm, light and bouncing, sets a tone of playfulness. But within that playful frame, Lear crafts a miniature character study. The man is introduced by geography — "of the West" — immediately placing him as a type, a figure defined not by name but by location, echoing Lear’s fascination with archetypal “Old Men” who populate his nonsense verse.
The description of the “pale plum-coloured vest” is both vivid and comically precise. The unusual color choice adds a surreal charm and an almost theatrical touch — this is not just a vest, but a costume, a persona. When questioned about the fit, the Old Man’s blunt response, “Not a bit!” becomes the core of the humor. The stark mismatch between the social expectation (that clothes should fit) and the man's indifference to that norm creates an absurd moment of rebellion.
The poem’s final line — “That uneasy Old Man of the West” — introduces emotional depth. The word “uneasy” shifts the tone: what begins as humorous ends on a more ambiguous note. His discomfort might stem from the ill-fitting vest, or it might symbolize a deeper unease — a sense of not fitting in, of being out of place not just in clothing but in society.
Philosophically, the limerick can be read as a microcosm of human experience. The vest may represent imposed roles or appearances, and the Old Man’s candid reply a quiet act of defiance. He wears what doesn't suit him, yet still wears it — an absurd, relatable condition. Lear gently satirizes our willingness to accept discomfort for the sake of image, while also celebrating the oddity of those who don’t quite belong.
In just five lines, Lear combines musicality, eccentric detail, and existential satire. The result is a portrait not only of a comical old man, but of all who find themselves clad in ill-fitting vests, whether literal or metaphorical, facing a world that asks, “Does it fit?”
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