The Walrus and the Carpenter

What it is

This is a narrative poem written by Lewis Carroll, appearing in his book Through the Looking-Glass, published in December 1871. Within the story, it is recited to Alice by the characters Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The poem tells of a walrus and a carpenter who persuade a group of oysters to join them for a walk, only to eat them all.

Why it matters

The poem shows Carroll's gift for blending playful nonsense with a darker undertone, something that has made it a lasting subject of literary interpretation. Writers and critics have found political and social meanings in the walrus and carpenter, and the poem's imagery, reportedly inspired by rock formations Carroll saw on holiday in Wales, has echoed through later popular culture, including song and film.

Look closer

• Why might Carroll have chosen oysters, usually harmless creatures, as victims in this story?
• What makes the poem funny and unsettling at the same time?
• How does the illustration help tell the story alongside the words?