River Thames

The River Thames gives Growltiger both a route through the poem and a setting for its change of tone. He travels by barge along the river, pursuing his “evil aims” from Gravesend to Oxford under the title “The Terror of the Thames”; at Molesey, the waterway becomes the backdrop to a quiet summer-night scene.

The River as Route

Growltiger is introduced as a “Bravo Cat” who travels on a barge. His passage from Gravesend up to Oxford establishes the Thames as the reach over which he operates. The account couples this movement with his reputation: he rejoices in the title “The Terror of the Thames,” making the river part of the name by which his menace is known.

The Molesey Scene

The setting shifts to Molesey on a peaceful summer night. The moon shines above the barge as it lies on the water, rocking with the tide; against this calm, Growltiger is disposed to show his sentimental side. The Thames is therefore not only the route associated with his rough reputation but also the immediate setting for a contrasting, gentler moment.

Narrative Significance

The river connects the range of Growltiger’s travels with a specific scene at Molesey. The contrast between his title as a terror and the peaceful, moonlit barge scene gives the Thames two functions in the passage: it carries the image of his roaming menace, then frames a brief departure from that threatening persona.