'Lobster -Quadrille, The' by Lewis Carroll
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"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail,
"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle -- will you come and join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?
"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!"
But the snail replied "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance --
Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.
"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied.
"There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.
The further off from England the nearer is to France --
Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you joint the dance?
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Lobster Quadrille" by Lewis Carroll – A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
When one thinks of Lewis Carroll, the first thing that comes to mind is "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." But Carroll was not just a novelist; he was also a prolific poet. "Lobster Quadrille" is one of Carroll's most beloved poems, and it is easy to see why. It is a whimsical, nonsensical romp through the world of the lobster, with a catchy rhythm and a playful tone that are impossible not to enjoy.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in "Lobster Quadrille," and explore why this poem has endured as a classic of English literature for over 150 years.
Background
"Lobster Quadrille" was first published in 1865 as part of Carroll's book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." In the story, the Mock Turtle tells Alice about a dance called the Lobster Quadrille, which he describes as "a sort of dance, in a slow, solemn way, with the lobsters thrown in." Alice is intrigued, and asks the Gryphon to show her the dance. The Gryphon obliges, and the dance begins.
The Lobster Quadrille itself is a real dance, but Carroll's version is a parody of it. The dance that the Mock Turtle and Gryphon describe is ridiculous and nonsensical, with the lobsters acting as partners for the dancers. "Lobster Quadrille" captures this absurdity perfectly, with its playful language and silly imagery.
Form and Structure
"Lobster Quadrille" is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, giving the poem a simple, sing-songy rhythm. The meter is mostly iambic, with some variation to keep the rhythm interesting. Overall, the structure of the poem is straightforward and easy to follow, which is fitting for a poem that is meant to be playful and lighthearted.
Themes and Symbolism
At first glance, "Lobster Quadrille" may seem like a simple nonsense poem, but there is more going on beneath the surface. One of the primary themes of the poem is the idea of conformity and fitting in. The dancers in the Lobster Quadrille are all expected to follow a strict set of rules, and any deviation from those rules is met with disapproval.
This is illustrated in the second stanza, where the Mock Turtle says:
"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail. "There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle--will you come and join the dance?
The whiting is concerned about the porpoise behind them, but the lobsters and turtles are more focused on the dance. They are all following the same path, regardless of what obstacles may be in their way.
This theme of conformity is further emphasized in the third stanza, where the Mock Turtle says:
"In that case," said the Dodo solemnly, rising to its feet, "I move that the meeting adjourn, for the immediate adoption of more energetic remedies--" "Speak English!" said the Eaglet. "I don't know the meaning of half those long words, and, what's more, I don't believe you do either!" And the Eaglet bent down its head to hide a smile: some of the other birds tittered audibly.
The Dodo is using complex language to propose a solution to the problem, but the Eaglet and other birds do not understand what he is saying. This highlights the importance of clear communication and understanding in a group setting. If everyone is not on the same page, it can lead to confusion and ridicule.
Another theme in "Lobster Quadrille" is the idea of transformation and adaptation. The lobsters in the dance are transformed from their natural state into something else entirely. They are no longer just sea creatures; they are now part of a larger performance. This transformation is necessary for them to fit in and participate in the dance.
This theme of transformation is also seen in the final stanza, where the Mock Turtle says:
"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!" But the snail replied "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance-- Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.
The snail is hesitant to join the dance because he knows it is not his natural environment. He is content to stay in his own world, rather than transform himself to fit in with others. This highlights the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of pressure to conform.
Literary Devices
Carroll uses a variety of literary devices in "Lobster Quadrille" to create both humor and meaning. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The phrase "Will you, won't you" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the indecisiveness of the dancers. This repetition also creates a sing-songy rhythm that is catchy and memorable.
Another device used in the poem is personification. The lobsters are given human qualities, such as the ability to dance and the desire to fit in with the other dancers. This creates a sense of absurdity and whimsy, and adds to the overall playful tone of the poem.
Carroll also uses irony in "Lobster Quadrille." The dance is supposed to be slow and solemn, but it is anything but. The dancers are constantly changing direction and moving quickly, which creates a sense of chaos and confusion. This irony adds to the humor of the poem, and also highlights the absurdity of the situation.
Conclusion
"Lobster Quadrille" is a masterful example of Lewis Carroll's skill as a poet. It is a playful, whimsical poem that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The themes of conformity, transformation, and communication are explored in a way that is both humorous and meaningful, making this poem a classic of English literature.
Through its use of repetition, personification, irony, and other literary devices, "Lobster Quadrille" captures the essence of the nonsensical world of Wonderland. It is a testament to Carroll's creativity and imagination, and a delight for readers of all ages.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Lobster - Quadrille by Lewis Carroll is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a playful and whimsical piece that captures the essence of Carroll's unique style. The poem is a perfect example of how Carroll's writing can be both entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time.
The poem is a quadrille, which is a type of dance that was popular in the 19th century. The quadrille is a square dance that is performed by four couples. The dance consists of five parts, or figures, and each figure has its own unique steps and movements. The Poetry Lobster - Quadrille is a playful take on this dance, and Carroll uses the structure of the quadrille to create a poem that is both rhythmic and fun.
The poem begins with the introduction of the "Poetry Lobster," who is the central figure in the poem. The Poetry Lobster is described as a "curious creature," who is "always in a hurry." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the Poetry Lobster is constantly moving and changing throughout the dance.
The first figure of the quadrille is introduced in the second stanza, and it is called "Forward and Back." This figure is a simple movement that involves the dancers moving forward and then back again. Carroll uses this figure to introduce the idea of movement and change, as the Poetry Lobster is constantly moving forward and then back again.
The second figure is called "Right and Left," and it involves the dancers moving to the right and then to the left. Carroll uses this figure to introduce the idea of duality, as the Poetry Lobster is described as having "two tails." This duality is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as the Poetry Lobster is constantly changing and shifting between different forms.
The third figure is called "Cross Over," and it involves the dancers crossing over each other's paths. Carroll uses this figure to introduce the idea of transformation, as the Poetry Lobster is described as "changing his shape." This transformation is a key element of the poem, as the Poetry Lobster is constantly changing and shifting throughout the dance.
The fourth figure is called "Half Round," and it involves the dancers moving in a half-circle. Carroll uses this figure to introduce the idea of circularity, as the Poetry Lobster is described as "turning round and round." This circularity is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as the Poetry Lobster is constantly moving in circles and changing directions.
The final figure is called "All Round," and it involves the dancers moving in a full circle. Carroll uses this figure to bring the poem to a close, as the Poetry Lobster is described as "dancing away with the rest." This final figure is a fitting end to the poem, as it brings the movement and change of the Poetry Lobster full circle.
Overall, The Poetry Lobster - Quadrille is a playful and whimsical poem that captures the essence of Lewis Carroll's unique style. The poem is a perfect example of how Carroll's writing can be both entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time. The use of the quadrille structure adds to the rhythmic and playful nature of the poem, and the recurring themes of movement, duality, transformation, and circularity give the poem a sense of depth and complexity.
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