Look at the line "A novice might nonplus". How would you write this 'correctly'? Why is the poet's 'incorrect' line better in the poem?
The grammatically correct way to write this line would be "A novice might be nonplussed". This is because the glossary states that 'nonplus' is usually used in the passive voice, meaning to be puzzled or confused.
The poet's 'incorrect' line is better because it adds to the humour of the poem. The context notes that much of the poem's comedy arises from the way language is used and the liberties the poet takes. Using 'nonplus' actively instead of passively sounds playful and quirky, fitting the poem's light-hearted tone. It also helps maintain the poem's rhythm and rhyme scheme more effectively than the longer, grammatically correct version.
Explanation
The glossary provided in the context explicitly mentions that 'nonplus' is usually used in the passive form ('be nonplussed'). The textbook questions also highlight that the poem's humour arises from the poet taking liberties with language, which justifies why the 'incorrect' grammatical usage is more effective for the poem's comic and rhythmic style.