'The Walrus And The Carpenter' by Lewis Carroll
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Tweedledee said to Alice, "You like poetry-"
"Ye-es, pretty well-some poetry," Alice said doubtfully.
"What shall I repeat to her," said Tweedledee, looking round at
Tweedledum with great solemn eyes.
"`The Walrus and the Carpenter' is the longest," Tweedledum replied,
giving his brother an affectionate hug.
Tweedledee began instantly:
The Walrus And The Carpenter
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright-
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done-
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun!"
The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead-
There were no birds to fly
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "It would be grand!"
"If seven maids with seven mops
Swept for half a year,
Do you suppose," the walrus said,
"That they could get it clear?"
"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
"O, Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."
The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head-
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.
But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat-
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.
Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more-
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes-and ships-and sealing wax-
Of cabbages-and kings-
And why the sea is boiling hot-
And whether pigs have wings."
"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,
"Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!"
"No hurry!" said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.
"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,
"Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed-
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed."
"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue,
"After such kindness, that would be
A dismal thing to do!"
"The night is fine," the Walrus said.
"Do you admire the view?"
"It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"Cut us another slice:
I wish you were not quite so deaf-
I've had to ask you twice!"
"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick!"
"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.
"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?"
But answer came there none-
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Walrus And The Carpenter: A Satirical Masterpiece
Lewis Carroll’s The Walrus And The Carpenter is a classic poem that has been passed down from generation to generation since its creation in 1871. This poem is part of the beloved tale, "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There," a continuation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Walrus And The Carpenter is a satirical narrative poem that parodies the human inclination to exploit others for personal gain.
Interpreting the Poem
The Walrus And The Carpenter is a critique of human nature and its propensity to take advantage of others for its own benefit. The poem is an allegory that highlights the selfishness and greed of those in power. The poem begins with two characters, a Walrus and a Carpenter, walking along the beach. The Walrus, who is portrayed as a cunning and manipulative character, convinces the naive Carpenter to join him on a walk to enjoy some oysters that he had found.
Upon arriving at the oyster bed, the Walrus and the Carpenter proceed to devour all the oysters, leaving none for the baby oysters. This act symbolizes the way in which those in power exploit the resources of the less fortunate, leaving them with nothing. The Carpenter, who is portrayed as a well-meaning but gullible character, is left to deal with the consequences of his actions, while the Walrus walks away with all the benefits.
The poem is also an indictment of the human tendency to be easily swayed by those in power. The Carpenter is easily convinced by the Walrus to join him on his adventure, despite the fact that he is a stranger. This emphasizes the way in which those in power are able to manipulate and control those who are easily swayed by their authority.
Furthermore, the poem is a reflection of the cyclical nature of human behavior. The Walrus and the Carpenter represent those who exploit others for personal gain. The baby oysters represent the most vulnerable members of society who are left defenseless against the powerful. This cycle of exploitation and oppression has been a part of human history since the beginning of time and continues to this day.
Critiquing the Poem
The Walrus And The Carpenter is a masterpiece of satire, but it is not without its flaws. The poem is written in a style that is difficult to read and understand. The use of archaic language and complex sentence structures make it challenging for modern readers to fully appreciate the beauty of the poetry.
Furthermore, the poem’s portrayal of the Walrus as a manipulative and cunning character is problematic. The Walrus is portrayed as a villain who takes advantage of the naive Carpenter, but this stereotype reinforces negative stereotypes about certain groups of people.
The poem also fails to offer any real solutions to the problem of human exploitation. It merely presents the problem and leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions. This lack of resolution can be frustrating for readers who are looking for answers to complex social issues.
Despite these flaws, The Walrus And The Carpenter remains a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Its powerful message about the dangers of human exploitation and the need to resist those who seek to take advantage of the less fortunate is as relevant today as it was over a century ago.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lewis Carroll's The Walrus And The Carpenter is a satirical masterpiece that critiques the human tendency to exploit others for personal gain. The poem’s use of allegory and symbolism highlights the cyclical nature of human behavior and the way in which those in power are able to manipulate and control those who are easily swayed by their authority. While the poem has its flaws, its powerful message about the dangers of human exploitation continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Walrus And The Carpenter: A Classic Poem by Lewis Carroll
If you're a fan of classic literature, then you've probably heard of Lewis Carroll. He's the author of the beloved children's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and he's also known for his whimsical and nonsensical poetry. One of his most famous poems is The Walrus and the Carpenter, a delightful tale that has captured the hearts of readers for generations.
The poem tells the story of a walrus and a carpenter who take a group of young oysters out for a walk. The walrus and the carpenter are both charming and persuasive, and they convince the oysters to come with them on a journey to a nearby beach. Once they arrive, the walrus and the carpenter proceed to eat all of the oysters, leaving the poor creatures with nothing but regret.
On the surface, The Walrus and the Carpenter seems like a simple and lighthearted poem. However, there's much more to this story than meets the eye. In this analysis, we'll take a closer look at the themes and symbolism in the poem, and we'll explore what Carroll might have been trying to say with this whimsical tale.
The Power of Persuasion
One of the most prominent themes in The Walrus and the Carpenter is the power of persuasion. The walrus and the carpenter are both skilled at convincing the oysters to come with them on their journey. They use flattery and promises of adventure to lure the oysters away from their homes, and they make it seem like they have the oysters' best interests at heart.
However, once they arrive at the beach, the true nature of the walrus and the carpenter is revealed. They have no intention of keeping their promises, and they proceed to eat all of the oysters without a second thought. This is a powerful commentary on the dangers of blindly following those who seem charming and persuasive. The walrus and the carpenter are not to be trusted, and their actions serve as a warning to readers to be wary of those who use flattery and manipulation to get what they want.
The Tragic Consequences of Greed
Another important theme in The Walrus and the Carpenter is the tragic consequences of greed. The walrus and the carpenter are both driven by their desire for food, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to satisfy their hunger. They don't care about the lives of the oysters, and they're willing to sacrifice them for their own selfish desires.
This is a powerful commentary on the dangers of greed and the harm it can cause. The walrus and the carpenter's actions are a reminder that when we prioritize our own desires over the well-being of others, we can cause great harm and suffering. The oysters in the poem are innocent victims of the walrus and the carpenter's greed, and their tragic fate serves as a warning to readers about the dangers of selfishness.
The Illusion of Control
Another interesting aspect of The Walrus and the Carpenter is the illusion of control. The oysters are convinced to go on a journey with the walrus and the carpenter, but they have no idea what's in store for them. They're completely at the mercy of the walrus and the carpenter, and they have no control over their own fate.
This is a powerful commentary on the illusion of control that we often experience in our own lives. We may think that we're in control of our own destinies, but in reality, we're often at the mercy of external forces that we can't control. The oysters in the poem are a reminder that sometimes, no matter how much we try to control our lives, we're still vulnerable to the whims of others.
The Symbolism of the Oysters
Finally, it's worth taking a closer look at the symbolism of the oysters in The Walrus and the Carpenter. The oysters are innocent creatures who are lured away from their homes by the promises of adventure and excitement. They represent the vulnerable and naive among us who are easily swayed by the charms of others.
However, the oysters also represent something more. They're a symbol of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The walrus and the carpenter's actions are a reminder that no matter how innocent or naive we may be, we're all vulnerable to the forces of nature and the inevitability of our own mortality.
Conclusion
The Walrus and the Carpenter is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. It's a whimsical tale that seems simple on the surface, but upon closer examination, reveals powerful themes and symbolism. The poem is a commentary on the dangers of blindly following those who seem charming and persuasive, the tragic consequences of greed, the illusion of control, and the fragility of life.
As readers, we're reminded to be wary of those who use flattery and manipulation to get what they want, and to prioritize the well-being of others over our own selfish desires. We're also reminded that no matter how much we try to control our own destinies, we're still vulnerable to the whims of others and the inevitability of our own mortality.
Overall, The Walrus and the Carpenter is a timeless tale that continues to resonate with readers of all ages. It's a testament to Lewis Carroll's skill as a writer and his ability to create stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
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