'The Aged Aged Man' by Lewis Carroll
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I'll tell thee everything I can;
There's little to relate.
I saw an aged aged man,
A-sitting on a gate.
"Who are you, aged man?" I said,
"And how is it you live?"
And his answer trickled through my head
Like water through a sieve.
He said, "I look for butterflies
That sleep among the wheat:
I make them into mutton-pies,
And sell them in the street.
I sell them unto men," he said,
"Who sail on stormy seas;
And that's the way I get my bread—
A trifle; if you please."
But I was thinking of a plan
To dye one's whiskers green,
And always use so large a fan
That they could not be seen.
So, having no reply to give
To what the old man said,
I cried, "Come, tell me how you live!"
And thumped him on the head.
His accents mild took up the tale:
He said, "I go my ways,
And when I find a mountain-rill,
I set it in a blaze;
And thence they make a stuff they call
Rowland's Macassar-Oil—
Yet twopence-halfpenny is all
They give me for my toil."
But I was thinking of a way
To feed oneself on batter,
And so go on from day to day
Getting a little fatter.
I shook him well from side to side,
Until his face was blue:
"Come, tell me how you live," I cried,
"And what it is you do!"
He said, "I hunt for haddocks' eyes
Among the heather bright,
And work them into waistcoat buttons
In the silent night.
And these I do not sell for gold
Or coin of silvery shine,
But for a copper halfpenny,
And that will purchase nine.
"I sometimes dig for buttered rolls,
Or set limed twigs for crabs;
I sometimes search the grassy knolls
For wheels of hansom-cabs.
And that's the way" (he gave a wink)
"By which I get my wealth—
And very gladly will I drink
Your Honour's noble health."
I heard him then, for I had just
Completed my design
To keep the Menai bridge from rust
By boiling it in wine.
I thanked him much for telling me
The way he got his wealth,
But chiefly for his wish that he
Might drink my noble health.
And now, if e'er by chance I put
My fingers into glue,
Or madly squeeze a right-hand foot
Into a left-hand shoe,
Or if I drop upon my toe
A very heavy weight,
I weep, for it reminds me so
Of that old man I used to know—
Whose look was mild, whose speech was slow,
Whose hair was whiter than the snow,
Whose face was very like a crow,
With eyes, like cinders, all aglow,
Who seemed distracted with his woe,
Who rocked his body to and fro,
And muttered mumblingly and low,
As if his mouth were full of dough,
Who snorted like a buffalo—
That summer evening long ago
A-sitting on a gate.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Aged Aged Man: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a delightful poem! The Aged Aged Man by Lewis Carroll is a classic that has stood the test of time. The poem is full of wit and humor, and a deep understanding of human nature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this poem.
The Themes of The Aged Aged Man
At first glance, The Aged Aged Man appears to be a simple poem about an old man who is in love. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that there are several themes at play here.
Aging
The first and most obvious theme is aging. The poem is about an old man, who is so old that he has forgotten how old he is. He is a man who has lived a long and full life, and yet, he is still in love. This theme is explored through the old man's words and actions. He speaks of his love for the young woman and his desire to be with her, despite his age. This theme is also explored through the use of language and imagery. For example, the old man says, "I cannot tell what this love may be, / That cometh to all but not to me." This line suggests that the old man is aware of his age and the limitations it has placed on him.
Love
Love is another major theme of the poem. The old man is in love with a young woman, and he speaks of his love in a way that is both humorous and touching. The poem explores the nature of love, and the way it can transcend age and other barriers. The old man's love is pure and innocent, and it is clear that he is genuinely smitten with the young woman. This theme is also explored through the use of imagery. For example, the old man compares his love to a "bee" that is attracted to the young woman's beauty.
Humor
Humor is a major aspect of the poem, and it is what makes it so enjoyable to read. The poem is full of puns, wordplay, and ironic twists. For example, the old man says, "I'll buy a ring," he said, "but, ah! / My silver-thimble won't fit her, / So I mean to buy a tatting-shuttle, / And a little crochet-needle (## / That's made of bone) and a flask of gin, / And we'll make a hole in the wall to let the moon come in." This passage is full of humorous details, and it is clear that the old man is not entirely serious about his plans.
The Literary Devices Used in The Aged Aged Man
The Aged Aged Man is a masterclass in the use of literary devices. Lewis Carroll was a gifted writer, and he used a wide range of techniques to make this poem so memorable.
Rhyme
The poem is written in a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives it a sing-song quality. The rhyme scheme helps to make the poem easy to remember, and it also adds to the humor and charm of the poem.
Metaphor
The poem is full of metaphors, which help to create vivid images in the reader's mind. For example, the old man compares his love to a bee that is attracted to a flower. This metaphor helps to convey the sweetness and innocence of the old man's love.
Irony
Irony is a major component of the poem. The old man's words and actions are often ironic, and this adds to the humor of the poem. For example, the old man says, "I cannot tell what this love may be, / That cometh to all but not to me." This line is ironic because the old man is clearly in love, and yet he is unaware of it.
Alliteration
Alliteration is used throughout the poem to add to the musical quality of the language. For example, the old man says, "And we'll sit in the shade of the gooseberry-tree, / And watch the blue cow, as she leaps over the moon." The repetition of the "s" sound in "sit," "shade," and "gooseberry" creates a pleasing sound that adds to the overall effect of the poem.
The Meaning of The Aged Aged Man
The meaning of The Aged Aged Man is both simple and complex. On the surface, it is a humorous poem about an old man who is in love. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that there is a deeper meaning to the poem.
The poem is a commentary on the nature of love, and the way it can transcend age and other barriers. The old man's love for the young woman is pure and innocent, and it is not diminished by his age. This is a powerful message, and one that is still relevant today. The poem also explores the nature of aging, and the way it can affect our perceptions of the world around us.
In conclusion, The Aged Aged Man is a delightful poem that has stood the test of time. It is full of wit, humor, and a deep understanding of human nature. Through its exploration of aging, love, and humor, the poem has become a classic that will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Aged Aged Man: A Timeless Poem by Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll, the author of the beloved children's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was also a prolific poet. One of his most famous poems is The Aged Aged Man, a whimsical and humorous piece that has delighted readers for generations. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The Aged Aged Man is a narrative poem that tells the story of an old man who is lamenting his lost youth and vitality. The poem begins with the speaker describing himself as "an aged, aged man" who has "lived long enough" and is "ready to die." He then goes on to recount his past experiences, including his youthful romances and adventures, and reflects on how much he has changed over the years.
One of the most striking features of The Aged Aged Man is its use of repetition. Throughout the poem, the speaker repeats certain phrases and lines, such as "I'm a-sitting on the stile, Mary," "I'm a-thinking of the days that are gone, Mary," and "I'm a-wearying for the dawn, Mary." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem, and also emphasizes the speaker's feelings of nostalgia and longing.
Another important literary device used in The Aged Aged Man is imagery. Carroll uses vivid and colorful descriptions to paint a picture of the speaker's world and experiences. For example, he describes the "green fields" and "flowery meads" where the speaker used to wander, and the "rosy cheeks" and "sparkling eyes" of his former loves. These images help to bring the poem to life and make it more engaging for the reader.
In addition to its use of repetition and imagery, The Aged Aged Man also contains several themes and messages. One of the most prominent themes is the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The speaker laments that he is no longer young and vibrant, and that his body and mind have begun to deteriorate. This theme is a common one in literature, and is often used to explore the human condition and the fragility of life.
Another theme in The Aged Aged Man is the power of memory and nostalgia. The speaker spends much of the poem reminiscing about his past, and seems to find comfort in these memories even as he acknowledges that they are gone forever. This theme speaks to the universal human experience of longing for the past and the people and experiences that we have lost.
Finally, The Aged Aged Man can also be read as a commentary on the nature of love and relationships. The speaker describes several romantic encounters from his youth, but notes that all of his former loves have either died or moved on. This suggests that love is fleeting and temporary, and that even the strongest relationships can eventually come to an end.
In terms of its structure, The Aged Aged Man is a fairly simple poem. It consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, meaning that the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, as do the third and fourth lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, and also makes it easy to read and remember.
Overall, The Aged Aged Man is a charming and whimsical poem that has stood the test of time. Its use of repetition, imagery, and themes make it a rich and engaging work of literature, and its simple structure makes it accessible to readers of all ages. Whether you are a fan of Lewis Carroll's other works or simply enjoy poetry in general, The Aged Aged Man is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of language.
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