🐚 The Walrus and the Carpenter by
Introduction
“The Walrus and the Carpenter” is a narrative poem written by Lewis Carroll. It appears in his famous novel "Through the Looking Glass". The poem looks like a simple and funny children’s rhyme, but it has a deeper meaning. It talks about innocence, deception, and greed. Though it is written in a playful style, it gives an important moral lesson to readers.
The First Three Stanzas
In the first three stanzas, the poet creates a strange and imaginative atmosphere. The sun is shining brightly on the sea at night, which is impossible. The moon is also shining, and the weather is described in a humorous way. The sea is calm, and everything looks peaceful. These lines show the nonsense style of the poem. Lewis Carroll uses this funny and unusual description to attract the reader’s attention and create a magical setting.
The Next Five Stanzas
In the next five stanzas, the Walrus and the Carpenter walk along the beach. They talk about many serious subjects like ships, shoes, sealing-wax, cabbages, and kings. Their conversation sounds thoughtful, but it is actually meaningless. Soon, they see many oysters lying on the shore. The Walrus politely invites the young oysters to come for a walk. He speaks kindly and promises them an enjoyable time. The young oysters trust him and follow happily, wearing their coats and hats. Only the older oysters stay back because they are wise. This part of the poem shows how innocence and blind trust can lead to danger.
What Happens After the Walk
After walking some distance, the Walrus and the Carpenter sit down on a rock. The oysters feel tired but are still excited. Suddenly, the two men prepare to eat them. The oysters realize too late that they have been cheated. The Walrus pretends to feel sad and sheds tears while eating them, but he continues to eat. The Carpenter does not show any emotion. This shows their greed and cruelty. The Walrus represents hypocrisy, while the Carpenter represents open selfishness.
Conclusion
“The Walrus and the Carpenter” teaches us not to trust others blindly. Sweet words can hide bad intentions. Through imagination and humor, Lewis Carroll warns readers about deception and greed. The poem remains meaningful even today because it reflects human nature and the importance of wisdom and careful thinking.
