a. It is not quite clear just what kind of fish the author means. However, as he refers, on line 3, to "the little fishes," and as the poem was written in England, they are probably sarines or herring, possibly whitebait.

b. Authorities differ as to the exact meaning of this passage. Professor Dummeresel of the University of Narrheit claims that the speaker first sent a written message; this proving ineffectual, that he delivered a second, or oral, message in person. On the other hand, Dr. Jean Galimatias of the Sorbonne maintains that the clause "I told them" should read "it told them," or "which told them"; in other words, that only one message was sent, and that a written one. We are inclined to agree with the latter interpretation.

C. This indicates that they were salt-water fish.

note a.

See

d. Tautological. "Little fishes" in the previous line is the real subject of the sentence. Cf. Lowell ("Biglow Papers"):

THE POEM

1. I sent a message to the fish";

I told them, "This is what I wish." The little fishes of the seac Theyd sent an answer back to me. 5. The little fishes' answer was, "We cannot do it, sirf, becauseg-" "Through the Looking-Glass."

e.

"John P. Robinson, he

Says he won't vote for Governor B."

This repetition is unnecessary. "Their answer would be better. See note d.

f. Note the respectful use of "sir," indicating (a) that the fishes belong to the servant class, or (b) that the person addressed is a member of the nobility, probably

the former.

g. Showing that they were female fish. Questions for Discussion Who is speaking? Are the person speaking and the person who sent the message one and the same? What was the message? What does it mean? Why? To whom was the message sent? How do you think it was transmitted? Is there an answer to the message? If not, why not? If so, what does it mean, and why? What would you have answered? Why?

Write a short essay on submarine telephony.