'All In The Golden Afternoon' by Lewis Carroll

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Alice in WonderlandAll in the golden afternoon
Full leisurely we glide;
For both our oars, with little skill,
By little arms are plied,
While little hands make vain pretense
Our wanderings to guide.Ah, cruel Three! In such an hour,
Beneath such dreamy weather,
To beg a tale of breath too weak
To stir the tiniest feather!
Yet what can one poor voice avail
Against three tongues together?Imperious Prima flashes forth
Her edict to "begin it"--
In gentler tones Secunda hopes
"There will be nonsense in it"--
While Tertia interrupts the tale
Not

Editor 1 Interpretation

All In The Golden Afternoon by Lewis Carroll: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

If you're a fan of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, then you probably know that Lewis Carroll was a master of language and imagination. His works are full of whimsical characters, nonsensical dialogue, and vivid imagery that transports readers to another world. One of his most famous poems, "All In The Golden Afternoon," is no exception.

Overview and Background

First published in 1855, "All In The Golden Afternoon" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and joy of childhood. It is divided into five stanzas, each of which describes a different scene from the narrator's childhood memories. The poem is written in Carroll's signature style - whimsical and dreamlike - and is filled with puns, alliteration, and other wordplay.

The poem was originally included in a manuscript called "Alice's Adventures Under Ground," which Carroll wrote and illustrated for Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for the character of Alice in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The manuscript was eventually expanded into the novel we know today, but "All In The Golden Afternoon" remained a beloved standalone work.

Analysis

Let's dive into the poem itself and explore some of its key themes and literary devices.

Theme: Childhood Innocence and Joy

At its core, "All In The Golden Afternoon" is a celebration of childhood innocence and joy. The poem's narrator recalls various scenes from their childhood - playing in a garden, sailing on a river, and so on - and describes them in such vivid detail that the reader can't help but feel a sense of wonder and delight.

Take, for example, the opening stanza:

All in the golden afternoon
Full leisurely we glide;
For both our oars, with little skill,
By little arms are plied,
While little hands make vain pretence
Our wanderings to guide.

Here, we see the narrator and a companion (perhaps Alice Liddell herself?) rowing a boat on a river. The use of the word "golden" in the first line immediately sets a tone of warmth and happiness, while the repetition of "little" emphasizes the childlike nature of the scene. The idea of "vain pretence" - that the children are pretending to navigate the boat - reinforces the playful, imaginative spirit of the poem.

Literary Device: Alliteration and Assonance

One of the hallmarks of Carroll's writing is his use of alliteration and assonance - the repetition of consonant and vowel sounds, respectively. "All In The Golden Afternoon" is full of these devices, which give the poem a musical quality and make it a pleasure to read aloud.

Consider these lines from the second stanza:

That oyster soup we had last night
Was thick, and green, and slimy.
I had to eat it with a fork,
And hope it wasn't pr-r-r-imy.

The repeated "s" and "m" sounds in "thick, and green, and slimy" create a sense of slowness and viscousness, while the elongated "r" in "pr-r-r-imy" gives the word a comical, exaggerated feel. These devices help to bring the poem's whimsical, playful tone to life.

Theme: Nature and the Outdoors

Another key theme of "All In The Golden Afternoon" is the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The poem is filled with references to plants, animals, and other elements of the outdoors, which the narrator describes with a sense of awe and reverence.

Consider this stanza:

The foolish rose is scented still,
But the wisest man
Frosts himself with silence lor
And mainly mutters, "Plan!"

Here, the narrator reflects on the simplicity and purity of nature, which the "foolish" rose embodies. The reference to the "wisest man" suggests that even the most intellectual and sophisticated humans can learn something from the natural world. The use of the word "frosts" to describe the man's silence creates a sense of coldness and distance, highlighting the contrast between human rationality and natural beauty.

Literary Device: Puns and Wordplay

Finally, it wouldn't be a Lewis Carroll poem without a healthy dose of puns and wordplay. "All In The Golden Afternoon" is full of these linguistic delights, which add to the poem's sense of whimsy and absurdity.

Consider this stanza:

The full-gorged kingfisher came winging
His ruffled crest, his azure throat;
He perched upon an agate railing,
And he swore a solemn oath.

The pun here is on the word "ruff," which can refer to both the kingfisher's feathers and its attitude. The use of "azure" to describe the bird's throat emphasizes its bright, colorful nature, while the reference to its "solemn oath" is a nod to the ridiculousness of the scene.

Interpretation

So what is "All In The Golden Afternoon" really about? There are a few different ways to approach this question, but one possible interpretation is that the poem is a nostalgic reflection on the joys of childhood and the simple pleasures of life.

Throughout the poem, the narrator describes scenes from their childhood with a sense of warmth and fondness, highlighting the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the joy of imaginative play. At the same time, there is a sense of wistfulness and longing for the innocence and simplicity of youth.

Consider this final stanza:

Till the moon, rising, late,
Doth button up the stars;
And we, poor souls, sit tight and wait
For morning beams and jars.

Here, the reference to the moon and stars creates a sense of time passing and the inevitability of growing up. The use of the phrase "poor souls" suggests a sense of melancholy and longing for the carefree days of childhood.

At the same time, however, there is a sense of acceptance and even gratitude for the memories and experiences of youth. The poem celebrates the beauty and joy of childhood, but also acknowledges the inevitability of change and growth.

Conclusion

In "All In The Golden Afternoon," Lewis Carroll demonstrates his mastery of language, imagination, and whimsy. The poem is a celebration of childhood innocence and joy, filled with vivid imagery, musical language, and delightful wordplay. At the same time, it is a reflective and nostalgic meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of growing up.

Overall, "All In The Golden Afternoon" is a timeless work of poetry that continues to delight and inspire readers of all ages.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry All In The Golden Afternoon: A Masterpiece by Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll, the renowned author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was not only a writer but also a poet. His poem, Poetry All In The Golden Afternoon, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of life. The poem is a celebration of the joy and wonder that can be found in the simplest things in life. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Themes

The poem is a celebration of nature and the beauty of life. It is a tribute to the simple pleasures that can be found in the world around us. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of nature. The first stanza is about the beauty of the river, the second is about the beauty of the flowers, and the third is about the beauty of the birds.

The river is described as "silverly" and "shimmering." The flowers are described as "golden" and "bright." The birds are described as "melodious" and "sweet." These descriptions create a vivid image of the natural world and its beauty. The poem celebrates the joy of being alive and the wonder of the world around us.

Structure

The poem is written in three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCC. The first four lines of each stanza follow the ABAB pattern, while the last two lines follow the CC pattern. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry in the poem.

The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs. An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of two syllables, with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed. This creates a rhythmic pattern in the poem that adds to its musicality.

Literary Devices

The poem is full of literary devices that enhance its beauty and meaning. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is personification. The river is personified as a "silverly" and "shimmering" creature. The flowers are personified as "golden" and "bright" beings. The birds are personified as "melodious" and "sweet" creatures. This personification creates a sense of life and movement in the natural world.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The descriptions of the river, flowers, and birds create vivid images in the reader's mind. The use of color, such as "silverly," "shimmering," and "golden," adds to the visual imagery of the poem. The use of sound, such as "melodious" and "sweet," adds to the auditory imagery of the poem.

The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The phrase "All in the golden afternoon" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, creating a sense of unity and continuity in the poem. The repetition of the phrase "Life, what is it but a dream?" at the end of each stanza adds to the philosophical and reflective tone of the poem.

Conclusion

Poetry All In The Golden Afternoon is a masterpiece by Lewis Carroll that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of life. The poem is full of vivid imagery, personification, and literary devices that enhance its beauty and meaning. The poem is a tribute to the simple pleasures that can be found in the world around us and a reminder to appreciate the wonder of life. Carroll's poem is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and delight readers of all ages.

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