Symbolism in the poem the Walrus and the Carpenter

Lewis Carrolls The Walrus and the Carpenter could possibly be just a nonsensical rhyme meant purely for entertainment value. The fact that this is a nonsense poem inside a nonsense story makes it all the more difficult to decipher a deeper meaning. Like the author, who had a darker side to him, so too might his work. Carroll made this statement in a letter to an American friend,Im very much afraid I didnt mean anything but nonsense. Still, you know, words mean more than we mean to express when we use them; so a whole book ought to mean a great deal more than the writer means. So, whatever good meanings are in the book, Im glad to accept as the meaning of the book. (Shaw)This passage almost defines the relationship between the author†¦show more content†¦Through his wise years and possible tricks in the past he knows enough not to budge from the mud. 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. (Carroll 37-42 qtd. in Shaw)The youthful oysters, who have not yet dealt with such persons, agree to venture out on a jaunt. The trip down the beach symbolizes the blind way the common man will follow the politician to his eminent demise. The oysters gather and more and more follow the two leaders down the length of the beach. The Walrus and the Carpenter lead the oysters a great distance until the oysters are exhausted from the journey. Stopping on a rock that is conveniently low, the Walrus gathers up his followers, who stand in neat rows close by, and begins a speech with the most remembered portion of Carrolls poem. 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. (Carroll 61-66 qtd. in Shaw)The Walruss speech is a remark on politicians gathering listeners and mesmerizing them into thinking that everything they say is pertinent to them when really it is all nonsense (De Rooy). Oysters do not care about shoes, they do not even have feet, which Carroll points out in a previous line. Before the walk, the oysters did make sure thatShow MoreRelatedJohn Charles Lutwidge Dodgson s The Looking Glass 1366 Words   |  6 Pages Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, best known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, has written many novels, poems, and short stories in his lifetime but his most famous for his children s ?nonsense? novels: Alice s Adventures in Wonderland and the sequel Through the Looking Glass. His works, especially the two mentioned, have influenced countless read ers over the years, and references to his writings can be found in every type of media from the song ?White Rabbit? by Jefferson Airplane to the the MatrixRead More Lewis Carroll Essay1459 Words   |  6 Pageswell known Nonsense Writers. Though using nonsense in poetry has been dismissed as simply quot;for entertainment purposesquot;, most nonsensical poetry acts as an allegory, has deep symbolism and leaves the door wide open for varying interpretations. Lewis Carroll has utilized this sense with nonsense through his poems and prose found in his novels Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass . Through Carrolls interactions with his close friends and family, and the innovative and eccentricRead MoreThe end6477 Words   |  26 Pagesslides out of your hands 3. Why does Esperanza focus on her hair? What do we learn about the family members by descriptions of their hair? -The hair represents the personalities of each of the family members. These are short poems, so Esperanza is using symbolism to give us a look into her family. She focuses mainly on her mother to show the closeness the family shares. 4. By the end of this chapter, it is clear the Cisneros’ novel will be an episodic one, a collection of short sketches