The Walrus and the Carpenter

by Lewis Carroll · 1871 · 3 min read · 108 lines

In short

“The Walrus and the Carpenter” by Lewis Carroll is a nonsense poem about two companions who lure oysters into a walk and then eat them. It opens on a strange shore where the sun shines at midnight and the moon complains about his presence. The Walrus and the Carpenter weep over the beach’s sand, then invite oysters to join them. An older oyster stays behind, but crowds of younger ones follow, wearing neat shoes despite having no feet. After a walk, the companions settle on a rock and begin discussing food. The oysters recognize the danger too late. While the Carpenter asks for another slice and complains that the butter is spread too thick, the Walrus voices sympathy and selects large oysters. The final silence reveals that none have survived.

The sun was shining on the sea,Shining with all his might:He did his very best to makeThe billows smooth and bright—And this was odd, because it wasThe middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,Because she thought the sunHad got no business to be thereAfter 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, becauseNo cloud was in the sky:No birds were flying overhead—There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the CarpenterWere walking close at hand;They wept like anything to seeSuch quantities of sand:‘If this were only cleared away,’They said, ‘it would be grand!’

‘If seven maids with seven mopsSwept 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 chooseTo 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.

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 CarpenterWalked on a mile or so,And then they rested on a rockConveniently low:And all the little Oysters stoodAnd 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.

‘A loaf of bread,’ the Walrus said,‘Is what we chiefly need:Pepper and vinegar besidesAre 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 beA 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!’

‘I weep for you,’ the Walrus said:‘I deeply sympathize.’With sobs and tears he sorted outThose of the largest size,Holding his pocket-handkerchiefBefore 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, becauseThey’d eaten every one.

What it means, line by line

Lines 1 to 18: The opening presents a seaside scene where ordinary rules do not hold: the sun shines at midnight, and the moon resents his intrusion. Both are given human feelings or intentions. Statements about wet water, dry sand, and absent birds mix obvious facts with absurd circumstances, establishing the poem’s playful, unsettling logic.

Lines 19 to 36: The two companions cry over the amount of sand on the beach and imagine maids trying to sweep it away with mops. Their exaggerated distress makes them seem both foolish and emotional. The Walrus then invites oysters on a friendly walk, claiming they can take only four so each can have a hand.

Lines 37 to 60: The oldest oyster silently refuses the invitation, while younger oysters eagerly accept. Their washed faces and tidy shoes make them resemble children, although the narrator points out that they lack feet. Far more than four follow. After walking about a mile, the companions sit on a rock while the oysters wait in an orderly row.

Lines 61 to 84: The Walrus announces a conversation ranging from everyday objects to impossible questions. The tired oysters request a pause and thank the Carpenter for agreeing. This courteous exchange turns threatening when the Walrus calls for bread and seasonings. The oysters realize they may become the meal, but he avoids their protest by commenting on the scenery.

Lines 85 to 108: The companions’ behavior exposes the cruelty beneath their politeness. The Carpenter concentrates on bread and butter, while the Walrus expresses regret and cries as he chooses the largest oysters. His sympathy does not stop him from eating them. The final invitation to return home receives no reply, and the narrator bluntly explains that every oyster has been eaten.

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Three questions to think about

How does the impossible seaside setting prepare you for the events that follow?
What differences do you notice between the Walrus’s expressions of sympathy and the Carpenter’s concern with food?
How does the eldest oyster’s refusal change your understanding of the younger oysters’ decision to follow?

Free for 3 months

200,000+ classics. Every format, free to start.

eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and any book printed at cost, large print too.

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