The Magical World Lewis Carroll

1. The Magical World Lewis Carroll Compiled by Meaghan Kincaid

2. The Man • Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was born in Daresbury in Cheshire, England on January 27, 1832. • At the age of twelve he was sent to Richmond School where he became skilled at mathematics. • As he became older, Charles would read poems and other works from magazines to keep his siblings entertained. • In 1850, he attended college at Christ Church in Oxford. While there he complied a scrapbook of what he thought to be his best writings, called “Mischmasch”. • In 1855 a major event happened in Dodgson’s life that would change him: meeting the Liddell children. Henry Liddell had become the new Dean of Christ Church and Dodgson was introduced to the family through the Dean’s niece. • During this time, Dodgson also became interested in photography and bought his first camera in London in 1856. • Dodgson continued his religious studies and planned to become a priest. • However, during this time he also continued his academic career, publishing his first two mathematical textbooks. • He also contributed to the magazine called “The Train”. At this time he signed himself as B.B. The editor asked for a full pseudonym and Dodgson gave him four to choose from.

3. The Man cont. • Among those for wasLewis Carroll. He made this name by reversing and Latinising his name: • Lutwidge=Ludovicus=Lewis Charles=Carolus=Carroll • On July 4th 1862, Dodgson took a boating trip with Alice Liddell. During the ride, he entertained the children by telling a tale he made up as he went along. • Later, he wrote out the story, titling it Alice’s Adventures Underground. He finished the book in 1863 and his friends and family pressured him into publishing it. • In July of 1865, the book was published and renamed Alice in Wonderland. • In 1867, he wrote a sequel to Alice, naming it Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There. • Dodgson did not exactly enjoy his fame as a children’s writer. He wanted to be remembered for his scientific and mathematical contributions to the world. • On January 14, 1898, Charles died of bronchitis. He was buried in Mount Cemetery, Guildford, Surrey, next to the home he bought for his family.

4. The Walrus and the Carpenter • HE sun was shining on the sea, • Shining with all his might; • He did his very best to make • The billows smooth and bright-- • And this was odd, because it was • The middle of the night. • The moon was shining sulkily, • Because she thought the sun • Had got no business to be there • After the day was done-- • "It's very rude of him," she said, • "To come and spoil the fun!" • The sea was wet as wet could be, • The sands were 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!"

5. Walrus and Carpenter Cont. • "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. • "A Pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, • 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.

6. W&C Cont. • Four other Oysters followed them, • And yet another four; • And thick and fast they came 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 then they rested on a rock • Conveniently low-- • And 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." • "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.

7. W&C Cont. ...again • "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!"

8. Almost Done! • "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. • And this was odd, because it was • The middle of the night. • The moon was shining sulkily, • Because she thought the sun • Had got no business to be there • After the day was done-- • "It's very rude of him," she said, • "To come and spoil the fun!"

9. Finale!! • The sea was wet as wet could be, • The sands were 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!"

10. Analysis • This poem is filled with nonsensical rhyming that Lewis Carroll seemed to enjoy the most. • Though the story in the poem may not make all that much sense, it is a very structured poem. • It has an A, B, C, B, D, B pattern. • Symbolism does not seem to be used in this poem, however, personification is very prevalent. Carroll makes the walrus and the oysters into actual characters.

11. Life is But a Dream • A BOAT, beneath a sunny sky • Lingering onward dreamily • In an evening of July-- • Children three that nestle near, • Eager eye and willing ear, • Pleased a simple tale to hear-- • Long has paled that sunny sky; • Echoes fade and memories die; • Autumn frosts have slain July. • Still she haunts me, phantomwise, • Alice moving under skies • Never seen by waking eyes. • Children yet, the tale to hear, • Eager eye and willing ear, • Lovingly shall nestle near. • In a Wonderland they lie, • Dreaming as the days go by, • Dreaming as the summers die; • Ever drifting down the stream-- • Lingering in the golden gleam-- • Life, what is it but a dream?

12. Analysis • This poem is very different from Carroll’s normal writings. It’s not just a nonsensical rhyming poem. • All of the lines rhyme with each other, which you don’t see very often. Usually there is a certain pattern that is followed. • Imagery is strongly used in this poem. A picture is painted in the reader’s head as a story is told. • Carroll takes characters and places from his other writings and makes them out to be just a dream of the imagination, which is what they really are.