'Voice of the Lobster, The' by Lewis Carroll
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"'Tis the voice of the Lobster: I heard him declare
'You have baked me too brown, I must sugar my hair.'
As a duck with its eyelids, so he with his nose
Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes.
When the sands are all dry, he is gay as a lark,
And will talk in contemptuous tones of the Shark:
But, when the tide rises and sharks are around,
His voice has a timid and tremulous sound."
"I passed by his garden, and marked, with one eye,
How the Owl and the Panter were sharing a pie:
The Panther took pie-crust, and gravy, and meat,
While the Old had the dish as its share of the treat.
When the pie was all finished, the Owl, as a boon,
Was kindly permitted to pocket the spoon:
While the Panther received knife and fork with a growl,
And concluded the banquet by [eating the owl.]
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry that speaks to the soul: An Analysis of Lewis Carroll's "Voice of the Lobster"
Lewis Carroll is a beloved writer whose stories and poems have stood the test of time. One of his lesser-known works, however, is "Voice of the Lobster", a poem that captures the essence of loneliness and the human desire for companionship. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs present in "Voice of the Lobster", and how they relate to Carroll's larger body of work.
The Poem: "Voice of the Lobster"
"Voice of the Lobster" is a poem that tells the story of a lonely lobster who longs for someone to keep him company. The lobster's voice echoes through the empty sea, reaching out to any creature who will listen. The poem is composed of nine stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, and the meter is iambic quadrameter.
Tis the voice of the Lobster: I heard him declare
"You have baked me too brown, I must sugar my hair."
As a duck with its eyelids, so he with his nose
Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes.
The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the lobster's appearance and actions, as well as the sea in which he resides. The language is simple, yet poetic, with a rhythm that creates a soothing, almost hypnotic effect.
The Themes and Motifs
At its core, "Voice of the Lobster" is a poem about loneliness and the human need for companionship. The lobster's voice echoes through the empty sea, a symbol of his isolation and longing. He is aware of his own appearance, as he "Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes." This suggests that he is aware of the importance of appearance in attracting potential companions.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, as the lobster is aware of his own impending death. He laments, "I have tasted the maggots in mind and in matter, / And the verdict they pass on the poor insect—they smatter." This line is a reference to Shakespeare's "Hamlet", and suggests that the lobster is aware of his own mortality, and the inevitability of his own death.
Another important motif in the poem is the sea. The sea is both a symbol of life and death, representing the vastness of the world and the ultimate futility of the lobster's existence. The sea is also a symbol of the unknown, as the lobster is aware that there are creatures in the sea that he has yet to encounter.
The Relationship to Carroll's Larger Body of Work
"Voice of the Lobster" is a departure from Carroll's more well-known works, such as "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass". However, the themes present in "Voice of the Lobster" are not entirely unfamiliar to Carroll's work. In both "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass", Alice is a lonely figure, searching for someone to understand and connect with. The sea is also a recurring motif in Carroll's work, as seen in "The Walrus and the Carpenter" from "Through the Looking Glass".
"Voice of the Lobster" also showcases Carroll's skill at creating vivid, memorable characters. The lobster is a fully-realized character, with a distinct personality and appearance. Carroll's use of language to describe the lobster's appearance and actions is both poetic and amusing, creating a memorable image in the reader's mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Voice of the Lobster" is a poem that explores themes of loneliness and the human need for companionship. The lobster's voice echoes through the empty sea, a symbol of his isolation and longing. The sea is also a recurring motif, representing the vastness of the world and the ultimate futility of the lobster's existence. The poem showcases Carroll's skill at creating vivid characters and his poetic language. While the poem may not be as well-known as some of Carroll's other works, it is still a poignant and memorable piece of literature that speaks to the soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Voice of the Lobster is a classic poem written by Lewis Carroll, the famous author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. This poem is a satirical take on the traditional form of poetry, and it is a perfect example of Carroll’s unique style of writing. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.
The poem begins with a description of a group of people gathered around a table, enjoying a meal of lobster. The narrator then introduces the lobster, who is about to recite a poem. The lobster’s poem is a parody of traditional poetry, and it is filled with nonsensical phrases and absurd imagery. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different theme.
The first stanza of the poem is about the lobster’s love for the sea. The lobster describes the sea as a place of freedom and adventure, where he can swim and play without any worries. The stanza is filled with vivid imagery, such as “the waves were white, and red the morn, in the noisy hour when I was born”. This stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with playful language and absurd imagery.
The second stanza of the poem is about the lobster’s love for food. The lobster describes the different types of food he enjoys, such as “oysters, and the walrus too, cried, ‘To some tea we’ve got to get!’”. The stanza is filled with humorous references to other works of literature, such as the walrus from Through the Looking Glass. This stanza is a commentary on the excesses of the upper class, who are often depicted as indulging in lavish meals.
The third stanza of the poem is about the lobster’s love for poetry. The lobster describes the different types of poetry he enjoys, such as “the snail’s tale, and the porpoise’s song”. The stanza is filled with references to other works of literature, such as Aesop’s fables and Shakespeare’s plays. This stanza is a commentary on the traditional form of poetry, which is often seen as elitist and inaccessible.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is about the lobster’s love for himself. The lobster describes himself as “a lobster quadrille, that is what we chiefly need”. The stanza is filled with nonsensical phrases and absurd imagery, such as “he sent them word I had not gone, we know it to be true”. This stanza is a commentary on the self-importance of the upper class, who are often depicted as being obsessed with their own status and power.
The structure of the poem is unique, as it does not follow the traditional form of poetry. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme. This allows Carroll to experiment with language and create a playful and whimsical tone. The poem is also divided into four stanzas, each with a different theme. This allows Carroll to explore different ideas and themes in a structured and organized way.
The poem is filled with literary devices, such as alliteration, repetition, and imagery. Alliteration is used throughout the poem to create a musical quality, such as “the waves were white, and red the morn”. Repetition is used to emphasize certain phrases and ideas, such as “we know it to be true”. Imagery is used to create vivid and memorable images, such as “the snail’s tale, and the porpoise’s song”.
The poem is a commentary on the excesses and elitism of the upper class. The lobster is a symbol of the working class, who are often overlooked and undervalued by the upper class. The poem is a satire of the traditional form of poetry, which is often seen as elitist and inaccessible. Carroll uses humor and absurdity to critique the social norms of his time.
In conclusion, The Poetry Voice of the Lobster is a classic poem that showcases Lewis Carroll’s unique style of writing. The poem is a commentary on the excesses and elitism of the upper class, and it is a satire of the traditional form of poetry. The poem is filled with literary devices, such as alliteration, repetition, and imagery, which create a playful and whimsical tone. The poem is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and entertain readers today.
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