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Day #204: C'mon, Nemo! Hop Through the Hoop!

"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated September 05, 1909:


Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (DECEMBER 30, 2020):


Here, we have one of the trio's simian captors trying to teach them how to do tricks. This is quite reminiscent of circus training (lion taming, in particular) as they sit on buckets and hop through hoops. - 1/9

This strip, though less formally interesting, does get at the heart of their communicative issues. In panel 3 Flip says, "I don't know what you say but I know what you mean!", signalling that he understands the monkey's gestural command. - 2/9

This strip signifies, at least in my opinion, the best communication between species in the series yet; each of our boys understands what is asked of him… whether he chooses to comply or not is another story. - 3/9

Again, we have Flip cause a ruckus. It seems as though Nemo is content to see where this goes, and the Professor just simply seems as though he wants things to go as smoothly as possible for him (so he won't cause any ripples), but Flip refuses. - 4/9

Again, I wonder if this is an elaborate ruse devised by the Princess to test Flip's previously declared commitment to goodness. If it is… I think he's failing. - 5/9

I'll end a short analysis today, by drawing attention to the monkey's comment about Flip in panel 11: "I'll have to conquer this beast some way. He's too savage". - 6/9

Anti-Irish sentiment was quite high during the early 20th Century America, and remembering that Flip is an Irish caricature (it is quite easy to forget sometimes, isn't it?), I wonder if this is a not-so-subtle dig at Irish Americans? - 7/9

It may be nothing more than a comment on Flip's unruly nature and refusal to succumb to the monkey's training, but it seems as though the possibility of something a bit more nefarious exists. Thoughts? - 8/9

This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #204. What's yours? - 9/9

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