The Walrus and the Carpenter
by Lewis Carroll
“The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sand was 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.
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;
They came thick and fast 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 rested on a rock, conveniently low,
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.”“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.
The night is fine, the Walrus said.
Do you admire the view?”“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 they’d eaten everyone.”
Summary of The Walrus and the Carpenter
“The Walrus and the Carpenter” is a narrative poem by Lewis Carroll, first published in 1865. The poem uses playful language to explore themes of deception and the vulnerability of innocence. It depicts a Walrus and a Carpenter luring young oysters onto a walk, only to devour them, illustrating the danger of trusting seemingly kind strangers.
- Popularity of “The Walrus and the Carpenter”: Lewis Carroll is celebrated for his imaginative children’s stories, and “The Walrus and the Carpenter” remains a popular and enduring piece of literature. Its unique blend of whimsy and subtle darkness continues to captivate readers.
- “The Walrus and the Carpenter” as a Representation of Deception: The poem begins with an unusual setting, sunlight and moonlight coexisting. The Walrus and the Carpenter lament the sand on the beach and then invite the Oysters for a walk, feigning kindness. While an older, wiser Oyster declines, four younger Oysters eagerly accept. As they walk, the Walrus and Carpenter engage the Oysters in conversation, distracting them from their fate. The poem builds to a chilling realization: the Oysters are being led to their doom. The elder oyster’s wisdom highlights the importance of critical thinking and avoiding blind trust.
- Major Themes in “The Walrus and the Carpenter”: The central themes of the poem are deception, vulnerability, and the predatory nature of some creatures. The Walrus and the Carpenter represent manipulative forces, while the Oysters symbolize innocence and naiveté. The poem also subtly critiques the dangers of blindly following authority.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “The Walrus and the Carpenter”
Personification: The poem treats the sun and moon as lively characters, giving them human emotions and actions. For example, the moon is described as shining sulkily, reflecting the mood of the setting.
Alliteration: Consider the phrase, “Their coats were brushed, their faces washed.” The repetition of the “w” sound at the start of several words emphasizes the scene.
Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words creates a subtle sense of rhythm and connection. In the line, “And shed a bitter tear,” the repeated ‘t’ sound reinforces the feeling of sorrow.
Enjambment: The poem often extends phrases across line breaks, allowing the ideas to flow seamlessly. For example:
“Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done,”
This continuation keeps the narrative momentum and builds tension.
Imagery: The poem uses vivid images of the sea, sand, and celestial bodies, painting a clear and almost haunting picture for the reader.
Rhetorical Question: The poem asks questions that engage the reader’s curiosity and set up the narrative’s twist. For example, “Will we find a place to eat?” is a subtle way to tease the reader about what will come next.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “The Walrus and the Carpenter”
Stanza: A group of lines forming a unit within a poem. “The Walrus and the Carpenter” comprises sixteen stanzas.
Sestet: A stanza consisting of six lines. Each stanza in the poem adheres to this structure.
Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of rhymes within a poem. “The Walrus and the Carpenter” follows an ABCBDB rhyme scheme, creating a musical and predictable flow.
End Rhyme: Rhyme that occurs at the end of lines. The frequent use of end rhyme, such as in the pairs “quick” and “thick,” contributes to the poem’s melodic quality.
Quotes to be Used
“The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sand was 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.”