In the poem "How to Ad-dress a Cat," Eliot states the central theme of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats: "Cats are much like you and me/ And other people whom we find/ Possessed of various types of mind." The Cats (the term is always capitalized) described in this book reveal a blend of human and feline qualities. Each Cat might be known by several names, and Eliot, as well, demonstrates that Cats, like people, have three distinct identities: the superficial or everyday, the unique or distinctive, and the most deeply personal. Eliot's distinctions are seen in the two personalities of Jennyanydots, the "Gumbie Cat." Called a "gumbie". because all day she does nothing but sit, at night Jennyanydots is extremely active, feeding and educating the mice and the cockroaches, and creating a well-ordered household. Likewise,.....
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