Teaching Irony: "The Walrus and The Carpenter" from Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

We are big fans of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and we love to use it to teach English.  Currently, we are reviewing the concept of irony and here is one of our favorite poems, which contains several examples of irony.  On a more personal note, we are currently re-reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the big surprise is that we are enjoying it more as an adult than we did as a child. Has this ever happened to you?  Well, take a stroll or a retro-moment with a "favorite to you" children's classic, and see what happens. 

The Walrus and The Carpenter

The walrus and the carpenter

Were walking cross the land

The beach was wide from side to side

But much to full of sand

"Mr Walrus," said the carpenter,

"My brain begins to perk

We'll sweep this clear and in a year

If you don't mind the work."

"The time has come," the walrus said,

"To talk of other things

Of shoes and ships and sealing wax

Of cabagges and kings

And while the see is boiling hot

And wheather pigs have wings

Kaloo Kalay no work today

We're cabbages and kings"

Oysters, come and walk with us

The day is warm and bright

A pleasent walk

A pleasent talk

Would be a shear delight

(Yes and perhaps if we get hungery on the way

We coul stop and ah, have a bite!!)

But mother oyster winked her eye

And shook her weary head

She new too well it was much to soon

To leave her oyster bed

"The sea is nice

Take my advice

And stay right here" mom said

The time has come my little friends

To talk of other things

Of shoes and ships and sealing wax

Of cabbagges and kings

And while the sea is boiling hot

And wheather pigs have wings

Kaloo Kalay come run away

With the cabbagges and kings

Now ah, let me see

Ah!! A loaf of bread is what we cheerly need

(And how about some pepper, salt and vinagar?)

Ah yes yes of course of course

Now oysters dear, if you are ready

We shall begin the feed

(FEED!!)

Oh yes ah, the time has come my little friends

To talk of food and things

(Of pepper corns and mustard seeds

And other seasonings

We'll mix 'em all together

In a sauce that's made for kings

Kaloo Kalay we'll eat today

Like cabbagges and kings!!)

I, I wait for you I, oh excuse me

I deeply simplisize

For I've enjoyed you company

Oh much more than you realize

"Little oysters, little oysters??"

But answer there came none

And this was scarcly all because

They'ed been eaten

Every-one

THE TIME HAS COME!!!!

Were cabbagges

And kings!!!!

The End

Great Images from the ORIGINAL Alice in Wonderland: CLICK HERE

Soon to be released:  Alice in Wonderland: Norton 3rd Critical Edition

Enjoy!  Let us know all the examples of irony you find in the poem.

Edward Gorey's Alice

Happy Reading!
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