The New Vestments by Edward Lear

This work is a satirical poem that critiques the excesses of Victorian society through its depiction of absurd and extravagant clothing. The poem's speaker describes various outlandish garments, including a vestment adorned with feathers, jewels, and other ornaments. The poem's tone is one of irony and ridicule, highlighting the societal pressures to conform to certain standards of fashion and decorum.

By Edward Lear · First published 1846 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Fantasy, Humor · 1,372 words

Editions

• Edition 1
• Lear — Edward Lear

First lines

There lived an old man in the Kingdom of Tess, / Who invented a purely original dress; / And when it was perfectly made and complete, / He opened the door and walked into the street.

By way of a hat he'd a loaf of Brown Bread, / In the middle of which he inserted his head; / His Shirt was made up of no end of dead Mice, / The warmth of whose skins was quite fluffy and nice;

• Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

The New Vestments is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Lear, dated 1846 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Poem
• Author: Edward Lear
• Date: 1846 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Children's Poetry, Fantasy, Humor, Nonsense Literature, Adventure
• Length: 1,372 words
• Structure: 1 section, 121 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The New Vestments by Edward Lear
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

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• The Pelican Chorus by Edward Lear
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Genres

• Children's Poetry — The work employs whimsical language and imaginative scenarios, characteristic of poetry aimed at children.
• Fantasy — The narrative features fantastical elements, such as anthropomorphic animals and surreal clothing, creating an imaginative world.
• Humor — The absurdity of the characters and situations provides comedic elements throughout the text.
• Nonsense Literature — The playful use of language and illogical scenarios align with the conventions of nonsense literature.

Tags

Nonsense Verse · Satire · Poetry · Fiction · Fantasy · Humor · Wordplay · Language Play · Absurdity · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Morality Tale

More by Edward Lear

• Nonsense Drolleries (1889)
• The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker and the Tongs (1888)
• The Duck and the Kangaroo (1888)
• The Cummerbund. An Indian Poem (1888)
• The Dong with a Luminous Nose (1888)
• Calico Pie (1888)
• The Courtship of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo (1888)
• Incidents in the Life of My Uncle Arly (1888)
• All works by Edward Lear