Even the name Jellicle cat can spark that childlike curiosity. What on earth is a Jellicle cat and where can I get one? Unfortunately, you can only get one in your dreams or in your own imagination when reading literature—these cats are a human-crafted concept by the poet T.S. Eliot.
In this article, we will explain all you want to know about the Jellicle cat so you can brush up on your English history.
Where Was the Term “Jellicle Cat” Used?
In 1933, Jellicle cats were mentioned by T.S. Eliot in his poem “Five-Finger Exercises.” It was a short excerpt leaving readers to wonder more about what exactly a Jellicle cat is. It was later revisited when Eliot went further in the poem, “The Song of the Jellicles.”
So, T.S. Eliot gave birth to the idea that has lived on through the ages, becoming a classic of mass proportions.
“The Song of the Jellicles” Poem by T.S. Eliot
Jellicle Cats come out tonight,
Jellicle Cats come one come all:
The Jellicle Moon is shining bright—
Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball.
Jellicle Cats are black and white,
Jellicle Cats are rather small;
Jellicle Cats are merry and bright,
And pleasant to hear when they caterwaul.
Jellicle Cats have cheerful faces,
Jellicle Cats have bright black eyes;
They like to practise their airs and graces
And wait for the Jellicle Moon to rise.
Jellicle Cats develop slowly,
Jellicle Cats are not too big;
Jellicle Cats are roly-poly,
They know how to dance a gavotte and a jig.
Until the Jellicle Moon appears
They make their toilette and take their repose:
Jellicles wash behind their ears,
Jellicles dry between their toes.
Jellicle Cats are white and black,
Jellicle Cats are of moderate size;
Jellicle Cats jump like a jumping-jack,
Jellicle Cats have moonlit eyes.
They’re quiet enough in the morning hours,
They’re quiet enough in the afternoon,
Reserving their terpsichorean powers
To dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon.
Jellicle Cats are black and white,
Jellicle Cats (as I said) are small;
If it happens to be a stormy night
They will practise a caper or two in the hall.
If it happens the sun is shining bright
You would say they had nothing to do at all:
They are resting and saving themselves to be right
For the Jellicle Moon and the Jellicle Ball.
Other Mentions of Jellicle Cats Throughout History
Jellicle cats were originally mentioned in the 1933 poem “Five-Finger Exercises.” In this, they were described as being black and white, scruffy, and friendly. The poem doesn’t leave out canines, either, with the mention of Pollicle Dogs.
Pollicle dogs are a play on “poor little dogs” and Jellicle cats are “dear little cats.”
Jellicle Cats might have originally come from T.S. Eliot’s imagination. However, they were adopted by the 1981 production of the musical Cats written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In this production, they veer away from the traditional black and white and instead carry a variety of coat colors and personalities.
In 1986, the movie Logan’s Run features the purchase of Jellicle cats, interestingly enough.
Moving on to 2017, there was a published picture book by Faber and Faber featuring the “Song of the Jellicles” with the standalone poem therein.
Madame Tussauds New York features wax representations of Jellicle cats since 2019, including Grizabella—the theme song performer in Cats.
So, you can see how impactful the concept of Jellicle cats has been on pop culture.
The Jellicle Cat Rescue Foundation
There is a rescue foundation named after the infamous fictional Jellicle cats. Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Long Beach, California.
They perform TNR, which stands for trap, neuter, and release to cut down on the reproduction of homeless cats. They spread awareness about responsible pet ownership to cut down on the homelessness epidemic that is rampant in their county and across the world.
You can also adopt cats through this program. If you can’t, you can always gather resources and other information from the foundation.
There Is No Jellicle Cat Breed
Unfortunately, no cat breed has ever been named after the infamous Jellicle cat. It’s possible that one day in the future, a breed could develop adapting this name in memory of T.S. Eliot’s works. However, you can’t own a Jellicle cat for yourself in the present day.
Conclusion
Now you know more about these fictional historical cats. It really is a wonder how our domestic pets have inspired such creativity in human consciousness. Jellicle cats will live on through the writings, productions, teachings, and memories of folks familiar with the old works.
One thing is for sure—every cat lover wishes they could have their very own fictional Jellicle cat.
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Featured Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock