'The Aged Aged Man' by Lewis Carroll

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I'll tell thee everything I can;
There's little to relate.
I saw an aged aged man,
A-sitting on a gate.
"Who are you, aged man?" I said,
"And how is it you live?"
And his answer trickled through my head
Like water through a sieve.He said, "I look for butterflies
That sleep among the wheat:
I make them into mutton-pies,
And sell them in the street.
I sell them unto men," he said,
"Who sail on stormy seas;
And that's the way I get my bread-A trifle; if you please."But I was thinking of a plan
To dye one's whiskers green,
And always use so large a fan
That they could not be seen.
So, having no reply to give
To what the old man said,
I cried, "Come, tell me how you live!"
And thumped him on the head.His accents mild took up the tale:
He said, "I go my ways,
And when I find a mountain-rill,
I set it in a blaze;
And thence they make a stuff they call
Rowland's Macassar-Oil-Yet twopence-halfpenny is all
They give me for my toil."But I was thinking of a way
To feed oneself on batter,
And so go on from day to day
Getting a little fatter.
I shook him well from side to side,
Until his face was blue:
"Come, tell me how you live," I cried,
"And what it is you do!"He said, "I hunt for haddocks' eyes
Among the heather bright,
And work them into waistcoat buttons
In the silent night.
And these I do not sell for gold
Or coin of silvery shine,
But for a copper halfpenny,
And that will purchase nine."I sometimes dig for buttered rolls,
Or set limed twigs for crabs;
I sometimes search the grassy knolls
For wheels of hansom-cabs.
And that's the way" (he gave a wink)
"By which I get my wealth-And very gladly will I drink
Your Honour's noble health."I heard him then, for I had just
Completed my design
To keep the Menai bridge from rust
By boiling it in wine.
I thanked him much for telling me
The way he got his wealth,
But chiefly for his wish that he
Might drink my noble health.And now, if e'er by chance I put
My fingers into glue,
Or madly squeeze a right-hand foot
Into a left-hand shoe,
Or if I drop upon my toe
A very heavy weight,
I weep, for it reminds me so
Of that old man I used to know-Whose look was mild, whose speech was slow,
Whose hair was whiter than the snow,
Whose face was very like a crow,
With eyes, like cinders, all aglow,
Who seemed distracted with his woe,
Who rocked his body to and fro,
And muttered mumblingly and low,
As if his mouth were full of dough,
Who snorted like a buffalo-That summer evening long ago
A-sitting on a gate.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Aged Aged Man by Lewis Carroll: A Delightful Tale of Life's Transience

As a writer, Lewis Carroll is best known for his whimsical and nonsensical stories that have delighted readers of all ages for generations. From Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to Through the Looking Glass, his works have captured the imaginations of countless people, transporting them to worlds full of magic and wonder.

Among his many works, The Aged Aged Man stands out as a masterpiece of poetic wit and insight. Written in 1855, this poem captures the essence of life's transience and reminds us of the inevitability of aging and death.

Summary of the Poem

The Aged Aged Man is a poem that tells the story of an old man who is reflecting on his life. As he looks back on his years, he realizes that he has grown old and that his body is no longer what it used to be.

The poem is written in a lighthearted and humorous tone, with the old man making fun of himself and his own aging process. He talks about his body falling apart, his hair turning gray, and his memory fading away.

Despite the humorous tone, however, there is a sense of melancholy and sadness that underlies the poem. The old man realizes that his time is running out and that he is nearing the end of his life. He talks about the people he has lost and the things he has left behind, and he wonders what will become of him when he is gone.

Analysis of the Poem

At its core, The Aged Aged Man is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life. Carroll uses humor and wit to make this point, but the message is clear: life is short, and we must make the most of the time we have.

The poem is structured in a way that reflects this theme. The old man talks about his life in the past tense, as if it is already over. He reminisces about the things he used to do and the people he used to know, but he also acknowledges that those things are gone forever.

The use of repetition in the poem is particularly effective in driving home this point. The old man repeats the phrase "I am an aged man" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the fact that he is no longer young and that time is running out.

Carroll also uses imagery to reinforce the theme of transience. The old man talks about his hair turning gray and his body falling apart, both of which are symbols of aging and decay. He also talks about the people he has lost, using images of death and departure to underscore the idea that everything in life is temporary.

Despite the melancholy tone of the poem, there is also a sense of acceptance and even joy in the old man's reflections. He seems to be at peace with his own mortality, and he finds humor and pleasure in the small things that make up life.

This is perhaps best illustrated in the final stanza of the poem, where the old man concludes by saying:

But to live on to be the last leaf upon the tree, In the spring, and all the summer long, and the whole of autumn till the tree sheds itself, To the very last clinging, and then farewell, Farewell to all the past, and hello to the future.

Here, the old man seems to be celebrating his own resilience and determination to keep going, even as everything around him falls apart. He acknowledges that his time is running out, but he also embraces the present and looks forward to what lies ahead.

Interpretation of the Poem

At its core, The Aged Aged Man is a poem about the human condition. It speaks to our universal experience of aging and mortality, and it reminds us that no matter how much we may try to fight it, time marches on and we all must eventually say goodbye.

But the poem is also about resilience and the joy of life. The old man may be aging and his body may be falling apart, but he still finds pleasure in the world around him. He takes joy in the small things, like the sunshine and the birds singing, and he is determined to keep going as long as he can.

Ultimately, The Aged Aged Man is a tribute to the human spirit. It celebrates our ability to find joy and meaning in life, even as we confront the inevitability of death. It reminds us that life is short, but that it is also full of wonder and beauty, and that we must savor every moment while we can.

Conclusion

The Aged Aged Man is a delightful and insightful poem that speaks to the universal experiences of aging and mortality. Through its use of humor, imagery, and repetition, it drives home the message that life is short and that we must make the most of the time we have.

But the poem is also a celebration of life and the human spirit. It reminds us that even in the face of death and decay, we can still find joy and meaning in the world around us. It is a beautifully written tribute to the resilience and determination of the human spirit.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Aged Aged Man: A Timeless Poem by Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll, the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, is a renowned author, mathematician, and logician. He is best known for his children's books, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. However, his literary prowess extends beyond children's literature, as evidenced by his poem, The Aged Aged Man. This poem is a classic example of Carroll's wit and humor, and it has stood the test of time, remaining relevant and entertaining to this day.

The Aged Aged Man is a poem that tells the story of an old man who is reminiscing about his youth. The poem is written in the first person, and the old man speaks in a colloquial style, using contractions and informal language. The poem is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines, and it follows a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB.

The poem begins with the old man lamenting his age, saying, "I'll tell thee everything I can; / There's little to relate." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the old man's reminiscences are not particularly exciting or noteworthy. However, Carroll's use of language and humor make the poem entertaining and engaging.

In the second stanza, the old man talks about his youth, saying, "I could have told thee of the time / When I was in my prime." He then goes on to describe his physical prowess, saying, "I could have rung thy little bell, / And frightened thee with the clap." This line is a reference to a game called "ringing the bull's nose," which was popular in Carroll's time. The game involved swinging a bull's nose on a string and trying to ring a bell with it. The old man's boastful tone is humorous, as it is clear that he is no longer capable of such feats.

In the third stanza, the old man talks about his romantic exploits, saying, "I could have told thee of my loves, / If I had not been old." He then goes on to describe his former lovers, saying, "But now I'm old and cannot do; / I've little left to boast." This stanza is a commentary on the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, and how they are often valued more than wisdom and experience.

In the fourth stanza, the old man talks about his current state, saying, "I'm old and cannot see thee well; / And I have lost my way." This line is a metaphor for the old man's confusion and disorientation in his old age. He then goes on to say, "And all the ways are dark and crooked, / And all the paths are stony." This line is a commentary on the difficulties and challenges of old age, and how they can make life seem bleak and hopeless.

In the fifth stanza, the old man talks about his impending death, saying, "But do not think me churlish, / For speaking out of turn; / Turn round and tell me, pretty maid, / What thou hast in thy urn." This stanza is a reference to the mythological figure of the Grim Reaper, who is often depicted as carrying an urn that contains the souls of the dead. The old man's request to see what is in the urn is a humorous way of acknowledging his own mortality.

In the final stanza, the old man concludes his reminiscences, saying, "Now tell me, little boy or girl, / Or I'll know why you tarry, / Is it because you think I'm old / And little would you carry?" This stanza is a playful way of challenging the listener to acknowledge the old man's worth and value, despite his age. The old man's humor and wit shine through in this final stanza, as he playfully teases the listener and invites them to appreciate his perspective.

Overall, The Aged Aged Man is a timeless poem that speaks to the universal experience of aging. Carroll's use of humor and language make the poem entertaining and engaging, while also conveying a deeper message about the value of wisdom and experience. The poem is a testament to Carroll's literary prowess and his ability to capture the human experience in a playful and engaging way.

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