Even the name Jellicle cat can spark 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 your own imagination when reading literature—these cats are a concept coined by the poet TS Eliot.
In this article, we’ll explain everything 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 TS Eliot in his poem “Five-Finger Exercises.” It’s a short passage that leaves readers wondering more about what exactly a Jellicle cat is. This is revisited when Eliot goes further into the poem, “The Song of the Jellicles.”
Thus, TS Eliot gave birth to the idea that lived on over time, becoming a classic of mass proportions.
“The Song of the Jellicles” Poem by TS Eliot
The Jellicle Cats are out tonight,
Jellicle Cats are one of everything:
The Jellicle Moon shines bright—
The Jellicles arrive at the Jellicle Ball.
Jellicle Cats are black and white,
Jellicle Cats are relatively small;
Jellicle Cats are happy and bright,
And it’s good to hear when they caterwaul.
Jellicle Cats have happy faces,
Jellicle Cats have bright black eyes;
They want to practice their airs and graces
And wait for the Jellicle Moon to rise.
Jellicle Cats develop slowly,
Jellicle Cats are not very large;
Jellicle Cats are roly-poly,
They know how to dance gavotte and jig.
Until the Jellicle Moon appeared
They do their toilette and rest:
Jellicles wash behind their ears,
The jellicles dried between their fingers.
Jellicle Cats are white and black,
Jellicle Cats are medium in size;
Jellicle Cats jump like jumping-jacks,
Jellicle Cats have bright moon eyes.
They are quiet enough in the morning,
They are quite quiet in the afternoon,
Allocating their terpsichorean powers
To dance in 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 train one or two in the hall.
If this happens the sun will rise
You can say they don’t do anything:
They rest and save 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.” Here, they are described as black and white, mischievous, and friendly. The poem doesn’t leave out the dogs, either, in mentioning the Pollicle Dogs.
Pollicle dogs are a play on “poor little dogs” and Jellicle cats are “dear little cats.”
Jellicle Cats may have originally come from the imagination of TS Eliot. However, they were adopted by the 1981 production of the musical Cats written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In this production, they deviate from the traditional black and white and instead bring in different coat colors and personalities.
In 1986, the movie Logan’s Run featured the purchase of Jellicle cats, which was interesting.
Moving into 2017, there was a published picture book by Faber and Faber featuring “Song of the Jellicles” with a standalone poem.
Madame Tussauds New York has featured 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 famous fictional Jellicle cats. The Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Long Beach, California.
They practice TNR, which stands for trap, neuter, and release to reduce the reproduction of homeless cats. They spread awareness about responsible pet ownership to reduce the homelessness epidemic rampant in their county and around 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.
No Jellicle Cat Breed
Unfortunately, no cat breed is named after the famous Jellicle cat. It is possible that one day in the future, a breed may develop an adaptation of this name in memory of the works of TS Eliot. However, you cannot have a Jellicle cat for yourself at this time.
Conclusion
Now you know more about fictional historical cats. It’s truly amazing how our pets have inspired such creativity in human consciousness. Jellicle cats will live on through the writings, productions, teachings, and memories of people familiar with the old works.
One thing is for sure—every cat lover wishes they had their own fictional Jellicle cat.
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Featured Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock
