Lewis Carroll's, Henry Holiday's and Joseph Swain's Tragicomedy
Did you know that lace-making is evil? 273 The Boots and the Broker were sharpening a spade— 274 Each working the grindstone in turn: 275 But the Beaver went on making lace, and displayed 276 No interest in the concern: 277 Though the Barrister tried to … Continue reading “Lace-Making”
A Snark article in the Knight Letter (with lots of help from the editors Chris Morgan and Mark Burstein) Source: Knight Letter (ISSN 0193-886X), Fall 2017, Number 99 When I wrote this article, I failed to mention that already in 1973 Elizabeth Sewell pointed out in The Field of Nonsense that a line in Carroll’s … Continue reading “Nose is a Nose is a Nose”
It’s National Poetry Month? Nonsense! […] April 9, 2018 [Author: Matt Dilworth] mdilwort […] Yet nonsense poems, and Carroll’s in particular, often carry significant political undertones. For example, in Carroll’s “The Hunting of the Snark”, he tackles vivisection and the role of anthrocentrist activities in scientific pursuit. […] Yes, I thought so. MG019, MG050 … Continue reading “Carroll Tackles Vivisection”
There was an old man of Port Grigor, Whose actions were noted for vigour; He stood on his head till his waistcoat turned red, That eclectic old man of Port Grigor. Edward Lear, 1872 He was black in the face, and they scarcely could trace The least likeness to what he had been: … Continue reading “Waistcoat Poetry”
The Baker’s 42 boxes (MG011) might be a reference to Thomas Cranmer’s 42 Articles. The Baker’s 42 Boxes are the original Protestant Articles of 1553, with Thomas Cranmer’s name on each. Angus MacIntyre, The Reverend Snark, Jabberwocky 23(1994): 51-52 I suggest that this belongs to Carroll’s references to Thomas Cranmer. A Baker is exposed … Continue reading “The Baker’s 42 Boxes”
“No doubt,” said I, “they settled who Was fittest to be sent Yet still to choose a brat like you, To haunt a man of forty-two, Was no great compliment!” In his 29th annotation (MG029) to The Hunting of the Snark, Martin Gardiner stated: Curiously, Carroll refers to … Continue reading “»To haunt a man of forty-two«”
Today I start to refer to Martin Gardner’s annotations to The Hunting of the Snark in a more systematical way. Admittedly, I should have done that much earlier. I didn’t read the annotations carefully enough. As an example, Martin Gardner annotated (MG058) to The Hunting of the Snark that Elizabeth Sewell pointed out in The … Continue reading “Martin Gardner’s Snark Annotations”
When the crew of Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark is making preparations for seeking that impossible creature, we read that “the Boots and the Broker were sharpening a spade”. This action is so outlandish that the editor and commentator (Martin Gardner) remarks ad locum: “Why in the world were they sharpening a spade?” … Continue reading “Sharpening a Spade”
297 “Be a man!” said the Bellman in wrath, as he heard 298 The Butcher beginning to sob. 299 “Should we meet with a Jubjub, that desperate bird, 300 We shall need all our strength for the job!” 321 Then a scream, shrill and high, rent the shuddering … Continue reading “jub jub jub jub jub jub jub jub jub …”
more (MG038, MG047)
