Poem “The Naming of Cats” by T. S. Eliot

 Poem “The Naming of Cats” by  T. S. Eliot

Paraphrasing, Summary, Central Idea.

Stanza 1:

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,

It isn't just one of your holiday games;

You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter

When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.

Paraphrase:

Giving a cat a name is tricky and not just a fun little game. You might think I’m crazy for saying this, but every cat actually needs to have three separate names.

Stanza 2:

First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,

Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,

Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey 

All of them sensible everyday names.

Paraphrase:

The first name is the one the family uses every day like Peter, Augustus, or James. These are normal, practical names you might give to any cat.

Stanza 3:

There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,

Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:

Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter

But all of them sensible everyday names.

Paraphrase:

If you prefer something fancier, you might choose names that sound more elegant some for male cats, some for female cats. Examples include Plato or Electra. But even these are just everyday names, like the first ones.

Stanza 4:

But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,

A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,

Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular

Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?

Paraphrase:

But truly, a cat needs a unique and special name something a bit unusual and dignified. Otherwise, how could he walk with his tail held high or show off his whiskers proudly?

Stanza 5:

Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,

Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat,

Such as Bombalurina or else Jellylorum

Names that never belong to more than one cat.

Paraphrase:

I can suggest plenty of these unique name like Munkustrap, Quaxo, Coricopat, or Bombalurina. These are names so special they’re meant for just one cat each.

Stanza 6:

But above and beyond there's still one name left over,

And that is the name that you never will guess;

The name that no human research can discover

But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.

Paraphrase:

But beyond all these, there’s still one final name left. It’s a name no human can ever discover, because only the cat knows it and he will never reveal it to anyone.

Stanza 7:

When you notice a cat in profound meditation,

The reason, I tell you, is always the same:

His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation

Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:

Paraphrase:

When you see a cat sitting there looking thoughtful, he’s always thinking about the same thing: he’s deeply absorbed in pondering his true, secret name.

Stanza: 8

His ineffable effable

Effanineffable

Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

Paraphrase:

That name is so special and mysterious, it can’t really be put into words. it’s a name that’s completely unique and can never be fully understood.  

Summary:

In the poem The Naming of Cats by T. S. Eliot, the poet

 humorously explores the idea that cats possess three 

distinct names: a common, everyday name used by the

 family; a unique and dignified name suited only to that 

particular cat; and a secret, mysterious name known solely

 to the cat itself. Through this concept, the poem highlights

 the enigmatic and independent nature of cats.

Central Idea:

In the poem The Naming of Cats, T. S. Eliot explores the

complexity of a cat’s identity by suggesting that each cat

 has three distinct names: a common name, a unique and

 dignified name, and a secret name known only to the cat

 itself.