"The Walrus and the Carpenter" is a poem by Lewis Carroll that appeared in his book Through the Looking Glass. In the book, the poem is recited by Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
Interpretations
In the movie Dogma (directed by Kevin Smith), one of the characters explains his theory that the poem is really an indictment of organized religion: The good natured Walrus either represents Buddha, or (since he has tusks) the Hindu elephant god Ganesha, and the Carpenter is an obvious reference to Jesus. They eat the innocent oysters, which represent the masses under the sway of religion. It should be noted the movie is highly satirical, and this interpertation, although valid, is presented by a character who specifically uses it to pick on the Catholic nun with whom he is speaking.
It must also be noted that when Carroll gave the manuscript for Looking Glass to illustrator John Tenniel, he gave him the choice of drawing a carpenter, a butterfly, or a baronet (since each word fit the rhyme scheme). Tenniel chose a carpenter.
Inspired works
The poem is said to have inspired the 1967 song "I Am the Walrus" by The Beatles.
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