The Walrus and the carpenter is a nonsensical poem written by Lewis carol. It has many themes woven in it. One is of the cruel world around us and as to how the innocent are cheated by the mean and conniving people secondly those elder to us have better life experience and their advice should always be heeded.
Stanza 1- In this stanza we see the walrus requesting the oysters to walk along with them on the salty beach. They could hold hands of only two at a time so they could take only four.
Stanza 2- After the first four oysters many more joined them and started..................................
The walrus and the carpenter - English Access Coursebook - Class 8 - English
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Back Exercises - The walrus and the carpenter | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
Write the rhyme scheme for the whole poem.
Repetition of words and phrases is featured in this poem too.
Discuss with your partner what effect these repetitions have on the poem.
Examples:
- The word ‘shining’ is repeated twice with reference to the sun and then again referring to the moon. (stanzas one and two)
- Wet as wet
- dry as dry
- no birds (stanza three)
- seven maids with seven mops (stanza five)
- a pleasant walk, a pleasant talk (stanza six)
The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABCBBDDEEFF, and it follows this scheme for each stanza.
As for the repetitions, they serve various purposes in the poem. Firstly, they offer a rhythmic and musical quality to the poem, making it more enjoyable to read or listen to. They also emphasize the different elements within the poem.
- 'Shining' repeated in relation to the sun and moon amplifies their brightness and presence in the poem. It also symbolizes the contrast between day and night, or potentially good and evil.
- 'Wet as wet' and 'dry as dry' serve to accentuate the extremeness of the conditions at the beach - the sea is as wet as it can be, and the sands are as dry as they could be. This repetition emphasizes the distinct separation of the sea from the land.
- 'No birds' repetition emphasizes the abnormality of the situation i.e., the unusual presence of the sun at night.
- 'Seven maids with seven mops' add a sense of rhythm and whimsy to the poem, providing a fanciful image of a failed attempt to clean up the beach.
- 'A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk' is a repetition that entices the oysters, making the walrus and the carpenter's invitation appear inviting and innocuous. It emphasizes their deceitful charm.
These repetitions heighten the sense of fantasy in the poem, while also underscoring the darker elements of deception and exploitation.
Identify other examples of repetition in the rest of the poem.
Oddities and absurdities are very prominent in this poem. This particular device is a feature of a special type of poem created and made popular by Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll – the ‘nonsense poem’. Odd, illogical and sometimes completely absurd references are introduced into such poems primarily to create a sense of fun and make the poems entertaining and amusing for children.
Examples:
- The sun shining brightly – in the middle of the night
- The odd descriptions of the sea, sand, clouds and birds (stanza three)
- The strange mathematical problem of clearing the sand away from the beach
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About the Author - The walrus and the carpenter | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
Lewis Carroll: (27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was an English writer, mathematician and photographer. He is remembered chiefly for his children’s fantasy Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, which includes the poems ‘Jabberwocky’, ‘The Hunting of the Snark’ and ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter’, examples of a form of writing made popular by him, known as the ‘nonsense verse’. When Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published in 1865, the novel was considered unique and it is regarded today as the most influential classic of children’s literature of the Victorian period. Apart from inventing stories for children, Lewis Carroll was also an inventor of gadgets and games. He invented a writing tablet called the nyctograph that made it possible to take notes at night without switching on a light. He also created a number of word games, including one that evolved into the board game we call ‘Scarabble’ today
Summary - The walrus and the carpenter | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - The walrus and the carpenter | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
Walrus: a large mammal related to seals, having two large tusks and found in the Arctic regions
The walrus basked on the icy shore, its large tusks glinting in the Arctic sun.
Oysters: shelled sea creatures which are eaten as a delicacy and are also a source of pearls
She savored the oysters at the seafood restaurant, enjoying their delicate taste.
Billows: waves of the sea
The billows of the ................................
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Unlock now 🔓Themes - The walrus and the carpenter | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
1. Deceit and Manipulation:
The main characters, the Walrus, and the Carpenter, use their charm and eloquence to deceive the innocent Oysters into going for a walk with them on the sandy beach. Their true sinister intentions are unveiled only when they are ready to feast......
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1. Walrus and Carpenter: These two main characters symbolize manipulation and deceit. They use their charm and words to deceive others.....
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Unlock now 🔓Poetic Devices - The walrus and the carpenter | English Access Coursebook | Class 8 Literature | English
1. Rhyme: The poem uses an AABB rhyme scheme, which adds a rhythmic quality, making it engaging and easy to read.
2. Repetition: The use of .......
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