The exploration of T.S. Eliot's literary endeavors reveals a profound connection between his whimsical verses in Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and his more serious and philosophical works. Despite the seemingly light-hearted nature of this feline-centric collection, Eliot's commitment to its poetry is as earnest as his dedication to his celebrated volumes like Four Quartets. His earlier minor poems such as “Lines to a Persian Cat” and “Lines to a Yorkshire Terrier” subtly foreshadow the tone and spirit found in Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, suggesting a thoughtful gestation period concurrent with his creation of deeper, more philosophical poetry. These works, including Four Quartets, delve into the intricate interconnections between the divine, humanity, and the natural world from a Christian perspective.

It seems hardly coincidental that Eliot, a poet renowned for his Christian themes, chose to spotlight the domestic cat—an animal emblematic of self-indulgence and whimsical autonomy. Furthermore, Eliot, who had vividly depicted the "urban apocalypse" in The Waste Land, crafted a colorful array of city cats in his feline anthology. This clever juxtaposition is a testament to his literary brilliance; through the engaging allure of playful language and vivid imagery, the collection captivates readers while subtly imparting lessons. These "practical cats," with their amorality and occasional lapses into violence and criminal antics, serve as a playful yet poignant reflection on the perilous moral consequences of purely selfish actions.