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Symbolism in Lewis Carroll's 'The Walrus and the Carpenter'

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By Khalid on 2004/05/11 - 21:29, last updated 2019/01/14 - 16:14

Children stories often carry a moral message. This is not a new thing, and has been the case since millennia and across many cultures around the globe.

Sometimes, the moral story is not direct, and indeed can be very deep,and sometimes it is enveloped in satire or even cynicist philosophy.

One such deeply symbolic and satirical story is Lewis Carroll's poem of The Walrus and the Carpenter. In his book, Through The Looking Glass, which is the sequel to his Alice in Wonderland, the following story is told. Bu in the Disney 1951 animated film, Alice in Wonderland, it appears.

Here is an excerpt of the relevant parts from the poem. The full poem can be read at the above link.

"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.

The very telling verses are where the Walrus says:

"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.

How often do we see Walruses with tears in their eyes?

Whether they are persons, or companies, or nations!

Those who pretend that they are doing what is best, but in reality doing exactly the opposite, but trying to present evil as good?

For example, is the US invasion and occupation of Iraq really for democracy and freedom?

If one takes a darker view, the Walrus and the Carpenter can be symbolic of intentionally luring other people with sweet talk, then preying on them (or their money, or their emotions, ...etc.)

Other interpretations can be found on the Wikipedia article. 

Contents: 
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Philosophy
Children

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

more to this

Mon, 2008/03/24 - 17:38

cant they mean more in a religious sence where as the walrus plays the part of those eastern religions representing a big god like creatures such as the elephant in hinduism or buddah himself with his kindness.
and the carpenter could mean christianity because jesus himself was a son of a carpenter and they dupe these unknowning masses into following them and then once they are lured in they devour whats left of their brittle souls.
but then again, what do i know.

  • reply

Khalid

The movie "Dogma"

Mon, 2008/03/24 - 17:58

This is a story line from the movie Dogma, where it takes that exact interpretation.

But it is just a comedy/satire movie, so take it with a grain of salt.
--
Khalid Baheyeldin

  • reply

Anonymous (not verified)

ur stupid

Wed, 2010/12/01 - 06:45

ur stupid

  • reply

Anonymous (not verified)

plagiarism

Tue, 2008/09/09 - 23:13

obviously not what you speak of, as you have directly quoted the movie Dogma

  • reply

panda (not verified)

Dogma was a great movie.

Tue, 2010/03/09 - 20:42

Dogma was a great movie.

  • reply

me (not verified)

hello

Thu, 2016/09/22 - 14:06

What you know is how not to use proper punctuation. Pop culture, scholars have referenced political symbolism and religious, but.. both of those were likely invented by the reader. They were not the intended meaning of Carol, it could be easily argue:

"However, in The Annotated Alice, Martin Gardner notes that, when Carroll gave the manuscript for Looking Glass to illustrator John Tenniel, he gave him the choice of drawing a carpenter, a butterfly, or a baronet since each word would fit the poem's metre. Because Tenniel rather than Carroll chose the carpenter, the character's significance in the poem is probably not in his profession, and interpretations of the poem as a commentary on religion are likely false. Gardner cautions the reader that there is not always intended symbolism in the Alice books, which were made for the imagination of children and not the analysis of "mad people"." -wikipedia

  • reply

Anonymous (not verified)

plagiarist

Sun, 2008/09/07 - 01:53

Yeah 'what do you know' at least credit the movie instead of tryin to pass it as your own

  • reply

Anonymous (not verified)

OK so yeah he took the idea

Fri, 2008/10/17 - 10:07

OK so yeah he took the idea but this is the direct Quote....Just saying.. Personally i do agree with the idea but i doubt he revel'd the idea unto himself

"Oh, but there is - it colorfully details the sham
that is organized religion. The Walrus - with his
girth and good-nature - obviously refers to either
the Buddha, or - with his tusks - the lovable
Hindu elephant god, Lord Ganesha. This takes care
of the Eastern religions. The Carpenter is an
Obvious reference to Jesus Christ, who was
purportedly raised the son of a carpenter. He
represents the Western religions. And in the poem,
what do they do? They dupe all the oysters into
following them. Then, when the oysters collective
guard is down, the Walrus and the Carpenter shuck
and devour the helpless creatures, en masse. I
don't know what that says to you, but to me it
says that following faiths based on these
mythological figures insures the destruction of
one's inner-being."

  • reply

Anonymous (not verified)

Carpenter

Mon, 2010/05/10 - 21:55

Interestingly enough though, Lewis Carrol didn't choose to make him a carpenter.

"when Carroll gave the manuscript for Looking Glass to illustrator John Tenniel, he gave him the choice of drawing a carpenter, a butterfly, or a baronet (since each word would fit the poem's metre)" wikipedia :D

  • reply

Wug (not verified)

You have left out the next

Tue, 2010/11/09 - 11:13

You have left out the next lines in the movie, which help put the criticism in greater context:

Bartleby: "You know, here's what I don't get about you. You know for a fact that there is a God. You've been in His presence. He's spoken to you personally. Yet I just heard you claim to be an atheist."
Loki: "I just like to f*ck with the clergy, man. I just love it, I love to keep those guys on their toes."

I think while this poem has deeper meaning, it's beyond "religion". It is simply "be careful who you trust".

  • reply

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