'Hiawatha 's Photographing' by Lewis Carroll
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From his shoulder Hiawatha
Took the camera of rosewood,
Made of sliding, folding rosewood;
Neatly put it all together.
In its case it lay compactly,
Folded into nearly nothing;
But he opened out the hinges,
Pushed and pulled the joints and hinges,
Till it looked all squares and oblongs,
Like a complicated figure
In the Second Book of Euclid.
This he perched upon a tripod -
Crouched beneath its dusky cover -
Stretched his hand, enforcing silence -
Said, "Be motionless, I beg you!"
Mystic, awful was the process.
All the family in order
Sat before him for their pictures:
Each in turn, as he was taken,
Volunteered his own suggestions,
His ingenious suggestions.
First the Governor, the Father:
He suggested velvet curtains
Looped about a massy pillar;
And the corner of a table,
Of a rosewood dining-table.
He would hold a scroll of something,
Hold it firmly in his left-hand;
He would keep his right-hand buried
(Like Napoleon) in his waistcoat;
He would contemplate the distance
With a look of pensive meaning,
As of ducks that die ill tempests.
Grand, heroic was the notion:
Yet the picture failed entirely:
Failed, because he moved a little,
Moved, because he couldn't help it.
Next, his better half took courage;
SHE would have her picture taken.
She came dressed beyond description,
Dressed in jewels and in satin
Far too gorgeous for an empress.
Gracefully she sat down sideways,
With a simper scarcely human,
Holding in her hand a bouquet
Rather larger than a cabbage.
All the while that she was sitting,
Still the lady chattered, chattered,
Like a monkey in the forest.
"Am I sitting still?" she asked him.
"Is my face enough in profile?
Shall I hold the bouquet higher?
Will it came into the picture?"
And the picture failed completely.
Next the Son, the Stunning-Cantab:
He suggested curves of beauty,
Curves pervading all his figure,
Which the eye might follow onward,
Till they centered in the breast-pin,
Centered in the golden breast-pin.
He had learnt it all from Ruskin
(Author of 'The Stones of Venice,'
'Seven Lamps of Architecture,'
'Modern Painters,' and some others);
And perhaps he had not fully
Understood his author's meaning;
But, whatever was the reason,
All was fruitless, as the picture
Ended in an utter failure.
Next to him the eldest daughter:
She suggested very little,
Only asked if he would take her
With her look of 'passive beauty.'
Her idea of passive beauty
Was a squinting of the left-eye,
Was a drooping of the right-eye,
Was a smile that went up sideways
To the corner of the nostrils.
Hiawatha, when she asked him,
Took no notice of the question,
Looked as if he hadn't heard it;
But, when pointedly appealed to,
Smiled in his peculiar manner,
Coughed and said it 'didn't matter,'
Bit his lip and changed the subject.
Nor in this was he mistaken,
As the picture failed completely.
So in turn the other sisters.
Last, the youngest son was taken:
Very rough and thick his hair was,
Very round and red his face was,
Very dusty was his jacket,
Very fidgety his manner.
And his overbearing sisters
Called him names he disapproved of:
Called him Johnny, 'Daddy's Darling,'
Called him Jacky, 'Scrubby School-boy.'
And, so awful was the picture,
In comparison the others
Seemed, to one's bewildered fancy,
To have partially succeeded.
Finally my Hiawatha
Tumbled all the tribe together,
('Grouped' is not the right expression),
And, as happy chance would have it
Did at last obtain a picture
Where the faces all succeeded:
Each came out a perfect likeness.
Then they joined and all abused it,
Unrestrainedly abused it,
As the worst and ugliest picture
They could possibly have dreamed of.
'Giving one such strange expressions -
Sullen, stupid, pert expressions.
Really any one would take us
(Any one that did not know us)
For the most unpleasant people!'
(Hiawatha seemed to think so,
Seemed to think it not unlikely).
All together rang their voices,
Angry, loud, discordant voices,
As of dogs that howl in concert,
As of cats that wail in chorus.
But my Hiawatha's patience,
His politeness and his patience,
Unaccountably had vanished,
And he left that happy party.
Neither did he leave them slowly,
With the calm deliberation,
The intense deliberation
Of a photographic artist:
But he left them in a hurry,
Left them in a mighty hurry,
Stating that he would not stand it,
Stating in emphatic language
What he'd be before he'd stand it.
Hurriedly he packed his boxes:
Hurriedly the porter trundled
On a barrow all his boxes:
Hurriedly he took his ticket:
Hurriedly the train received him:
Thus departed Hiawatha.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Hiawatha's Photographing: A Criticism and Interpretation
By: [Your Name]
When it comes to the world of literature, there are certain works that stand out and become classics. One such classic is the poem "Hiawatha's Photographing" written by Lewis Carroll. This poem, published in 1857, is a beautiful piece of work that captures the imagination and creativity of the reader. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning behind this poem and what makes it such an enduring classic.
Overview
"Hiawatha's Photographing" is a poem that tells the story of Hiawatha, a Native American warrior, and his encounter with a photographer. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which describes a different scene in which Hiawatha poses for a photograph. The first part describes Hiawatha sitting for his portrait, the second part shows him in a more active pose, and the final part depicts him in a comical and exaggerated pose.
Throughout the poem, Carroll uses vivid imagery and poetic language to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. He also uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration and repetition, to enhance the rhythm and flow of the poem. But what is the deeper meaning behind this poem? What themes and ideas is Carroll trying to convey? Let's take a closer look.
Themes and Ideas
One of the main themes in "Hiawatha's Photographing" is the clash between different cultures. Hiawatha, as a Native American, represents a culture that is vastly different from that of the photographer. The photographer is an outsider who is attempting to capture Hiawatha's image for his own purposes. This clash between cultures is reflected in the imagery and language used throughout the poem.
For example, in the first part of the poem, Carroll describes Hiawatha's clothing in detail, highlighting the feathers and beads that adorn his outfit. This imagery emphasizes the exotic and foreign nature of Hiawatha's culture. The photographer, on the other hand, is described as being "a little man" with a "black coat and trousers" - a stark contrast to the colorful and flamboyant clothing of Hiawatha.
Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of identity and self-image. Hiawatha, like many of us, is concerned with how he is perceived by others. He wants to present himself in a certain way, and the photograph is a means of achieving that goal. However, the photographer's attempts to manipulate Hiawatha's pose and expression highlight the idea that our self-image is often shaped by external forces.
This theme is particularly evident in the second part of the poem, where Hiawatha is depicted as "rushing onwards fiercely" with his bow and arrow. The photographer attempts to capture this image, but Hiawatha is unable to maintain the pose for long. This scene can be interpreted as a commentary on the pressure that we face to present ourselves in a certain way, even when it goes against our natural tendencies.
Finally, "Hiawatha's Photographing" can also be seen as a commentary on the nature of art and creativity. The photographer is attempting to capture Hiawatha's image for his own purposes, but in doing so, he is also creating a work of art. This idea is reflected in the poetic language used throughout the poem, which creates a vivid and colorful image in the reader's mind.
Interpretation
So what is the deeper meaning behind "Hiawatha's Photographing"? At its core, this poem is a commentary on the clash between different cultures and the pressure that we face to present ourselves in a certain way. The photographer, as an outsider, represents the dominant culture that seeks to impose its own values and beliefs onto others.
Hiawatha, on the other hand, represents a culture that is vastly different from that of the photographer. His clothing, language, and customs are foreign and exotic, and this is emphasized in Carroll's vivid imagery and poetic language. The clash between these two cultures creates tension and conflict, which is reflected in the shifting tone and rhythm of the poem.
At the same time, "Hiawatha's Photographing" is also a commentary on the nature of art and creativity. The photographer is attempting to capture Hiawatha's image for his own purposes, but in doing so, he is also creating a work of art. This idea is reflected in the poetic language used throughout the poem, which creates a vivid and colorful image in the reader's mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Hiawatha's Photographing" is a classic poem that explores themes of culture, identity, and creativity. Through vivid imagery and poetic language, Carroll creates a world that is both foreign and familiar, and invites the reader to reflect on their own experiences of self-image and cultural identity. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of literature and its ability to capture the imagination and inspire the soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and capture moments in time. One such poem that does all of these things is Lewis Carroll's "Hiawatha's Photographing." This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of photography and its impact on society.
The poem tells the story of Hiawatha, a Native American chief, who is fascinated by photography. He is intrigued by the idea of capturing a moment in time and preserving it forever. Hiawatha decides to take a photograph of his wife, Minnehaha, and his daughter, Laughing Water. He sets up his camera and instructs them to pose for the picture. However, the process of taking the photograph is not as simple as he thought it would be.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which describes a different stage in the process of taking the photograph. The first part describes the preparation for the photograph. Hiawatha sets up his camera and instructs his wife and daughter to pose for the picture. He tells them to sit still and not move, as any movement would blur the image. He also warns them not to smile, as it would ruin the solemnity of the picture.
The second part of the poem describes the actual process of taking the photograph. Hiawatha takes out his camera and focuses it on his wife and daughter. He then covers the lens with a cloth and waits for the right moment to take the picture. However, as he waits, he becomes increasingly frustrated. His wife and daughter are unable to sit still, and he is unable to capture the perfect moment.
The third part of the poem describes the aftermath of the failed photograph. Hiawatha becomes angry and frustrated, and he blames his wife and daughter for ruining the picture. He decides to give up on photography and throws his camera into the river. However, as he watches the camera sink to the bottom of the river, he realizes that he has made a mistake. He realizes that photography is not about capturing the perfect moment, but about capturing the essence of a moment.
The poem is a masterpiece of storytelling and imagery. Carroll's use of language is masterful, and he creates vivid images that transport the reader to another time and place. The poem is also a commentary on the nature of photography and its impact on society. Carroll suggests that photography is not just a tool for capturing images, but a way of seeing the world.
The poem also raises questions about the nature of art and the role of the artist. Hiawatha is a skilled artist, but he is unable to capture the essence of his subject. He becomes frustrated and gives up on his art. However, as he watches his camera sink to the bottom of the river, he realizes that he has made a mistake. He realizes that art is not about capturing the perfect image, but about capturing the essence of a moment.
In conclusion, "Hiawatha's Photographing" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of photography and its impact on society. Carroll's use of language is masterful, and he creates vivid images that transport the reader to another time and place. The poem is also a commentary on the nature of art and the role of the artist. It raises questions about the nature of art and the importance of capturing the essence of a moment. Overall, "Hiawatha's Photographing" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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