Q12. Who is the author of Macavity: The Mystery Cat in Class 8 English?

(a) William Blake

(b) T.S. Eliot

(c) Ruskin Bond

(d) R.K. Narayan

 

The Correct Answer is (b) T.S. Eliot

The poem “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” in Class 8 English is written by T.S. Eliot (Thomas Stearns Eliot), one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Eliot was not only a poet but also an essayist, critic, and playwright. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 for his outstanding contribution to modern poetry.

This poem is a part of Eliot’s famous collection “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” (1939), which is a series of humorous poems about different types of cats. Macavity: The Mystery Cat is one of the most popular poems in this collection and later inspired the world-famous musical “Cats” by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

In the poem, Eliot describes Macavity as a master criminal, who is clever, mysterious, and always manages to escape whenever a crime is committed. He is portrayed as the “Napoleon of Crime” who cannot be caught by the police or detectives. The playful tone, rhyming scheme, and imaginative description make the poem enjoyable for young readers.

Why others are incorrect:

William Blake (a): Famous for The Tiger and Songs of Innocence and Experience, but not the author of this poem.

Ruskin Bond (c): Known for short stories and novels for children, especially about Indian hills, not this poem.

R.K. Narayan (d): Renowned Indian novelist, best known for Malgudi Days, not for poetry.

Therefore, the author of Macavity: The Mystery Cat is T.S. Eliot, and the poem showcases his witty and imaginative style.