The Walrus and The Carpenter

Through the Looking Glass ^ | December 1871 | Lewis Carroll

[Hoosier-Daddy]

by: Lewis Carroll

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 it 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've 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.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

There is something about this poem, that for me, sums up TARP, Obama, Geithner, Bernanke, Goldman-Sachs, and Reid and Pelosi. There sure are a lot of naive oysters about to be eaten...

[Non-Sequitur]

The Mouse’s Tale reminds me of the Obama justice department.

[Mr. K]

I am not seeing the same anology but thank you all the same for posting this wonderful poem

It’s been years since I enjoyed it

OK I guess I can see the connection... sort of

[Flycatcher]

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

[Savage Beast]

I think The Walrus and the Carpenter sums up politicians in general.

I love Alice's conversation with--was it Humpty Dumpty--when he asked her which was worse, the Walrus or the Carpenter, and she replied the Walrus, of course, because at least he was sorry about what they were doing, and then it was pointed out that he held his pocked handkerchief before his streaming eyes so that the Carpenter couldn't see that he was eating the most and those of the largest size.

It's a close call, but, frankly, I think I'd rather deal with the Carpenter.

[PUGACHEV]

"I weep for you,' the Walrus said: `I deeply sympathize.' With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size ... "

That's my favorite line. It's so apt so often.

[Radagast the Fool]

‘Twas brillig!!

Thanks!!!

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toads,
Did gire and gimble in the Wabe.
All mimsy were the borogroves,
And the momerats ausgabe.

Lewis Carroll makes more sense than our Pretend POTUS!

[Flycatcher]

Damn straight!

[PUGACHEV]

I've often wondered if the nonsense words in The Jaberwocky are not some some obscure Victorian slang. In fact, the whole poem sounds suspiciously like a Victorian Canting Song. For example, take a look at "Villon's Straight Tip to All Cross Coves" which is linked below, and note the similarities

http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Farmer-MusaPedestris/villons-straight-tip-to-all-cross-coves.html

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

I looked up his poetry. Interesting stuff, and very fun to read. The glossary shows that most, maybe all, of what he writes makes literal sense, but sounds like nonsense to us because of it makes liberal use of English slang.

OTOH, Lewis Carroll actually invented words with no particular meaning, so his poems are highly connotative, yet there is enough information that they tell a story. In any case, poets like these make poetry FUN!