'All In The Golden Afternoon' by Lewis Carroll
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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 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 more than once a minute.
Anon, to sudden silence won,
In fancy they pursue
The dream-child moving through a land
Of wonders wild and new,
In friendly chat with bird or beast--
And half believe it true.
And ever, as the story drained
The wells of fancy dry,
And faintly strove that weary one
To put the subject by,
"The rest next time"--"It is next time!"
The happy voices cry.
Thus grew the tale of Wonderland:
Thus slowly, one by one,
Its quaint events were hammered out--
And now the tale is done,
And home we steer, a merry crew,
Beneath the setting sun.
Alice! a childish story take,
And with a gentle hand
Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined
In Memory's mystic band,
Like pilgrim's withered wreath of flowers
Plucked in a far-off land.
Submitted by foolish Paeter
Editor 1 Interpretation
All In The Golden Afternoon by Lewis Carroll
As I read this timeless poem by Lewis Carroll, I am immediately transported to a magical world where animals talk, flowers sing, and nothing is quite as it seems. All In The Golden Afternoon is a true masterpiece of literature, and its enduring popularity can be attributed to its whimsical charm, its clever use of language, and its playful spirit.
The Poet's Inspiration
Before we delve into the poem itself, it's worth discussing the inspiration behind it. Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was a mathematician and writer who is best known for his children's books, including Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. It was during a boating trip with a friend's children, Alice Liddell and her two sisters, that he first began telling them the story that would eventually become Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
In fact, All In The Golden Afternoon was initially composed during that same boating trip, as a sort of prelude to the story he was telling the children. The poem was meant to set the stage for the fantastical world Alice would soon find herself in, and it does so beautifully.
The Poem's Structure
All In The Golden Afternoon is comprised of seven stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality that is both charming and memorable.
The poem's structure is deceptively simple, however, and belies the complexity of the language and imagery used throughout. Carroll was a master of wordplay and puns, and he employs them liberally in this poem. Each stanza is a miniature masterpiece of language, with carefully chosen words that convey a sense of wonder and delight.
The Poem's Themes
At its core, All In The Golden Afternoon is a celebration of the natural world and the joy and wonder it can bring. The poem is filled with images of flowers, animals, and insects, each with their own unique personalities and quirks.
One of the most striking themes of the poem is the idea of transformation. The flowers, for example, are not just beautiful but also capable of speech and song. The caterpillar, too, is not just a lowly insect but a wise and philosophical creature. The poem suggests that there is more to the natural world than what meets the eye, and that even the most humble creatures can be full of surprises.
The Poem's Language
What sets All In The Golden Afternoon apart from other poems of its time is its use of language. Carroll was a master of wordplay and puns, and he uses them liberally in this poem. Take, for example, the line "A boat beneath a sunny sky, / Lingering onward dreamily / In an evening of July—" The use of the word "lingering" suggests a sense of laziness and leisure, while the word "onward" implies movement and progress. The two words seem to contradict each other, yet they work together beautifully to convey the feeling of a slow, meandering boat ride on a lazy summer evening.
Another example of Carroll's clever wordplay can be found in the line "The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas." Here, he uses alliteration and vivid imagery to create a sense of drama and excitement. The moon is not just a celestial body but a ghostly ship, sailing through the clouds like a captain navigating stormy seas.
The Poem's Legacy
All In The Golden Afternoon is a timeless poem that has endured for more than a century. Its whimsical charm and playful spirit continue to captivate readers of all ages, and its themes of transformation and wonder remain as relevant today as they did when the poem was first composed.
Moreover, the poem's influence can be seen in countless works of literature and pop culture. From C.S. Lewis's Narnia series to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland films, Carroll's fantastical world has inspired generations of writers and artists.
In conclusion, All In The Golden Afternoon is a true masterpiece of literature. Its clever use of language, playful spirit, and celebration of the natural world make it a joy to read and a true treasure of the literary canon. Whether you are a child or an adult, this poem is sure to transport you to a magical world filled with wonder and delight.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
All In The Golden Afternoon: A Timeless Classic
Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, is known for his whimsical and imaginative writing style. His poem, All In The Golden Afternoon, is no exception. This poem, which was originally published in 1865, is a beautiful and enchanting piece of literature that captures the essence of a lazy summer afternoon. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "All in the golden afternoon," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "golden" suggests warmth, happiness, and a sense of nostalgia. The speaker then goes on to describe a group of friends who are lounging in a garden, enjoying the sunshine and each other's company. The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and descriptive, painting a picture of a serene and idyllic setting.
As the poem progresses, the speaker introduces us to a number of characters, including a "Dodo" and a "Carpenter." These characters are not given much detail, but they serve to add to the whimsy and playfulness of the poem. The Dodo, for example, is known for his silly antics and his tendency to make up nonsensical rules. The Carpenter, on the other hand, is a hardworking and practical character who is always looking for ways to improve his craft.
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is the way in which it blends reality with fantasy. While the setting and characters are grounded in reality, there are also elements of magic and surrealism that add to the overall sense of wonder. For example, the speaker describes a "garden full of pansies" that "look up and nod" as if they are alive. This personification of the flowers adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem.
Another important theme in All In The Golden Afternoon is the idea of time and its fleeting nature. The speaker repeatedly reminds us that the afternoon will not last forever, and that we should enjoy it while we can. This sense of urgency is reflected in the poem's structure, which is divided into short stanzas that move quickly from one idea to the next. The use of repetition and rhyme also adds to the sense of urgency, as if the speaker is trying to capture every moment before it slips away.
The poem also contains a number of literary devices that add to its overall impact. For example, the use of alliteration in the line "The sun was shining on the sea" creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that is pleasing to the ear. The use of metaphor in the line "The moon was shining sulkily" adds to the surreal and dreamlike quality of the poem. The use of personification, as mentioned earlier, also adds to the whimsy and playfulness of the piece.
In conclusion, All In The Golden Afternoon is a timeless classic that captures the essence of a lazy summer afternoon. Its vivid imagery, playful characters, and blend of reality and fantasy make it a joy to read and a testament to Lewis Carroll's imaginative writing style. The poem's themes of time, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of life are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first published over 150 years ago. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a charming and whimsical read, All In The Golden Afternoon is a must-read for anyone who loves literature.
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