'Echoes' by Lewis Carroll
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Lady Clara Vere de Vere
Was eight years old, she said:
Every ringlet, lightly shaken, ran itself in golden thread.
She took her little porringer:
Of me she shall not win renown:
For the baseness of its nature shall have strength to drag her
down.
"Sisters and brothers, little Maid?
There stands the Inspector at thy door:
Like a dog, he hunts for boys who know not two and two are four."
"Kind words are more than coronets,"
She said, and wondering looked at me:
"It is the dead unhappy night, and I must hurry home to tea."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Echoes by Lewis Carroll: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Lewis Carroll, the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, is known for his literary works that have entertained and intrigued readers for generations. Among his notable works is a collection of poetry titled "Echoes," first published in 1874. This collection of poems, although not as popular as his famous "Alice in Wonderland," is a masterpiece in its own right, with its intricate wordplay, imaginative imagery, and underlying themes of self-discovery and identity.
As a literary critic, I was excited to delve deeper into the poems of "Echoes" and uncover their hidden meanings. What follows is a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic work.
Background
Before we dive into the analysis, it is important to understand the background of Lewis Carroll and the context in which "Echoes" was written. Lewis Carroll was a mathematician, photographer, and writer who lived in the Victorian era, a time of great social and cultural changes. Carroll was known for his love of puzzles, riddles, and wordplay, which is evident in his writing.
"Echoes" was published in 1874, a few years after Carroll's famous novel "Through the Looking-Glass" (1871). The collection contains 45 poems, most of which were previously published in various magazines and journals. The title "Echoes" refers to the recurring themes and motifs throughout the collection, as well as the use of repetition and allusion in the poems.
Themes
One of the predominant themes in "Echoes" is the theme of self-discovery and identity. This theme is explored through the use of mirrors, reflections, and doppelgangers in many of the poems. In "Looking-Glass Insects," for example, the speaker encounters a group of insects that mirror his every move:
"You are old," said the youth, "and your jaws are too weak For anything tougher than suet; Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak— Pray how did you manage to do it?" "In my youth," said his father, "I took to the law, And argued each case with my wife; And the muscular strength which it gave to my jaw, Has lasted the rest of my life."
Here, the insect reflects the speaker's own aging and mortality, as well as his desire to overcome these limitations. The reflection also serves as a reminder of the speaker's own identity and his connection to the natural world.
Another recurring theme in "Echoes" is the theme of time and its passing. In many of the poems, time is personified and depicted as a powerful force that cannot be controlled. In "The Three Voices," for example, the speaker hears three different voices that represent past, present, and future:
"We are Three Voices," they said, "in one, Bound each to each by a golden cord; And long ago, in the ages gone, We three made covenant—three and the Lord."
Here, the three voices represent the speaker's own past, present, and future. The poem suggests that time is a constant force that cannot be escaped or ignored, but must be embraced and accepted.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "Echoes" is its use of imagery, which is often fantastical and surreal. Carroll uses imagery to create a dreamlike atmosphere and to evoke emotions in the reader. In "The Lang Coortin'," for example, Carroll describes a courtship between two animals:
"Right and Left, and about, and about, And a hop, and a skip, and a start: And a cast, and a twist, and a twirl with a shout— And the vanishing tail of the Tartar!"
The imagery in this poem is playful and whimsical, with its descriptions of animals dancing and twirling. The poem also has a rhythm and flow that mimics the movements of the animals, creating a sense of movement and energy.
Another example of Carroll's use of imagery is in "The Path of Roses," where he describes a path that is both beautiful and dangerous:
"They were dark with passion and red with blood, And swollen with tears that had fallen like rain; As the thunder-cloud rifts to its angry flood, And the lightning that leaps from its black domain."
Here, the imagery is dark and intense, with its descriptions of blood and tears. The imagery also creates a sense of danger and unpredictability, emphasizing the theme of self-discovery and the risks involved in the journey.
Wordplay
Finally, it is impossible to discuss "Echoes" without mentioning Carroll's use of wordplay. Carroll was famous for his inventiveness with language, and "Echoes" is no exception. The collection is filled with puns, double meanings, and clever wordplay, which add to the whimsical and playful atmosphere.
In "Hiawatha's Photographing," for example, Carroll describes the process of taking a photograph:
"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."
Here, Carroll uses wordplay to describe the camera, which is made of "sliding, folding rosewood" and "looked all squares and oblongs." The use of mathematical terms such as "Euclid" adds to the playful and intellectual atmosphere of the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Echoes" by Lewis Carroll is a collection of poems that explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and the passage of time. The collection is filled with imaginative and surreal imagery, as well as clever wordplay and puns. The use of mirrors, reflections, and doppelgangers emphasizes the theme of self-discovery, while the personification of time adds to the sense of inevitability and acceptance.
As a literary critic, I am struck by the richness and complexity of "Echoes," and the way that Carroll's use of language and imagery creates a unique and unforgettable world. This collection of poems is a testament to Carroll's creativity and ingenuity, and a reminder of the power of literature to transport us to new and exciting places.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Echoes: A Masterpiece of Literary Genius
Lewis Carroll, the renowned author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was also a prolific poet. His work, Poetry Echoes, is a masterpiece of literary genius that showcases his exceptional talent for wordplay and his unique ability to create vivid imagery through his poetry.
The poem is a series of stanzas that echo each other, creating a mesmerizing effect that draws the reader in. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its playful use of language and its whimsical imagery:
“Lady, in thy gleaming eyes None shall find a truer mirror Than the shining of the skies In the waters deep and clear.”
The use of the word “gleaming” to describe the lady’s eyes immediately creates a sense of brightness and lightness. The comparison of her eyes to a mirror is also significant, as it suggests that she reflects the world around her in a way that is both truthful and beautiful.
The second stanza echoes the first, but with a slight variation:
“Lady, in the azure skies None shall find a truer mirror Than the shining of thine eyes In the waters deep and clear.”
Here, the word “azure” is used to describe the skies, creating a sense of vastness and openness. The repetition of the phrase “None shall find a truer mirror” emphasizes the idea that the lady’s eyes are a reflection of the world around her, and that this reflection is both accurate and beautiful.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem:
“Lady, in thy golden hair None shall find a truer treasure Than the sun that blazes there In its radiant, glowing measure.”
The use of the word “treasure” to describe the lady’s hair suggests that it is something valuable and precious. The comparison of her hair to the sun is also significant, as it suggests that her beauty is as bright and powerful as the sun itself.
The fourth stanza echoes the third, but with a slight variation:
“Lady, in the sun’s bright glare None shall find a truer treasure Than the golden of thy hair In its radiant, glowing measure.”
Here, the use of the phrase “sun’s bright glare” creates a sense of intensity and heat. The repetition of the phrase “None shall find a truer treasure” emphasizes the idea that the lady’s hair is a valuable and precious thing, and that it is as bright and powerful as the sun itself.
The fifth stanza introduces a new element to the poem:
“Lady, in thy gentle voice None shall find a truer music Than the whispering of the trees In their leafy, rustling thicket.”
The use of the word “gentle” to describe the lady’s voice creates a sense of softness and calmness. The comparison of her voice to the whispering of the trees is also significant, as it suggests that her voice is as soothing and peaceful as the sound of nature itself.
The sixth stanza echoes the fifth, but with a slight variation:
“Lady, in the rustling leaves None shall find a truer music Than the gentle voice that weaves Its spell of peace and beauty.”
Here, the use of the phrase “rustling leaves” creates a sense of movement and motion. The repetition of the phrase “None shall find a truer music” emphasizes the idea that the lady’s voice is a beautiful and soothing thing, and that it is as peaceful and calming as the sound of nature itself.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close:
“Lady, in thy beauty rare None shall find a truer treasure Than the love that thou dost bear In thy heart’s unchanging measure.”
Here, the use of the phrase “beauty rare” emphasizes the idea that the lady is a rare and precious thing. The repetition of the phrase “None shall find a truer treasure” emphasizes the idea that the lady’s beauty is a valuable and precious thing, and that it is as unchanging and enduring as the love that she bears in her heart.
In conclusion, Poetry Echoes is a masterpiece of literary genius that showcases Lewis Carroll’s exceptional talent for wordplay and his unique ability to create vivid imagery through his poetry. The poem’s use of repetition and variation creates a mesmerizing effect that draws the reader in, while its playful use of language and whimsical imagery creates a sense of brightness and lightness. Overall, Poetry Echoes is a work of art that is sure to delight and inspire readers for generations to come.
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