Cat Quote by T. S. Eliot
“Cats must have three names-an everyday name, such as Peter; a more particular, dignified name, such as Quaxo, Bombalurina, or Jellylorum; and, thirdly, the name the cat thinks up for himself, his deep and inscrutable singular Name.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, 1939
Cats are given three identities: a common name, a formal dignified name, and a secret self‑chosen name reflecting their inner self.
In simple terms: Cats have three names: everyday, formal, and secret self‑chosen.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the hidden self in others.
Themes
identity
self
perception
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- pet naming
- character analysis
- literary study
Key Concepts
anthropomorphism
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What name do you think your inner self would choose?
- How does a formal name shape behavior?
A Different Perspective
The secret name may never be revealed, limiting true understanding.
![“the ordinary man's experience is chaotic, irregular, fragmentary. [He] falls in love or reads Spinoza, and these two experiences have nothing to do with each other, or with the noise of the typewriter, or the smell of cooking; in the mind of the poet these experiences are always forming new wholes” quote by T. S. Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18e/t-s-eliot-633_art_the-ordinary-man-s-experience-is-chaotic_93688.jpg)
