More Bab Ballads

"More Bab Ballads" by W. S. Gilbert is a gathering of funny poems that uses playful rhymes and creative stories to look at different topics, often pointing out the weaknesses in society, relationships, and how people act. One of the first stories is about Poll Pineapple, an old woman who sells goods from her boat and remembers her exciting younger days and her crush on Lieutenant Belaye. The mood is both nostalgic and funny, as Poll thinks back on her past while also showing the silly parts of her youthful adventures. As more poems are shared, we see other strange stories about giants, a sailor's unlucky love story, and funny views on right and wrong, love, and social rules. All of this is wrapped up in Gilbert's smart rhymes, which invites us into a fun but also critical look at Victorian society.