The Walrus and the Carpenter
‘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.’ — Lewis Carroll
*the complete poem can be found at the end of the article.
The Walrus and the Carpenter, a tale that you may be familiar with. Perhaps a tale that you can personally relate to? It is a tale of leaders and of followers, a tale of the strong and of the weak, a tale about the innocent and about those who lead them astray. And yet, what an apt analogy for our times. A tale of leadership gone wrong. A tale of silence in the face of injustice. A tale of innocence lost.
‘O Oysters, come and walk with us! The Walrus did beseech. A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, along the briny beach
How trusting those mostly young oysters seemed when they dropped what they were doing and followed the walrus and the carpenter. But then, why wouldn’t they be trusting? Powerful people were promising to walk down the beach and listen to them. To not only talk about matters concerning their every day lives, but of “cabbages and kings.” Probably the first time in their lives that they felt like they had a chance to be heard, a chance to be listened to, and a chance to tell their story. So, they followed. They had a hard time keeping up, but they walked as fast as their chubby legs would bring them down the beach, all the while trusting the two who were leading them.
“The eldest Oyster winked his eye, and shook his heavy head — Meaning to say he did not choose to leave the oyster-bed. But four young Oysters hurried up, all eager for the treat”
It is easy and short-sighted to put all the blame on the young oysters for being so gullible and trusting. I mean, in the story of course, the older oysters knew better, and yet, they let the young ones go and follow the walrus and the carpenter. I mean, why, why would they let their young be led astray? What benefit was there to allow this sham to continue? What were they scared of losing? To allow it to continue even at the cost of lives, there must have been something for the older oysters to gain. Perhaps, their own lives at the sacrifice of the young, or perhaps it all boiled down to whatever is considered currency in the oyster world. I suppose we will never know.
“I weep for you,” the Walrus said: “I deeply sympathize.” With sobs and tears he sorted out those of the largest size, holding his pocket-handkerchief before his streaming eyes.”
Of course, the obvious villains are the bumblingly conniving walrus and the equally scheming carpenter. I mean, their intent was there from the start, when they started walking down the beach. They obviously even understood the depth of the crime that they were committing, which makes the crime even more hideous. They were the leaders, they were the ones entrusted with the future of the youth, and they pissed on that trust. Led them astray and then served them with butter. I mean, how more heinous of a crime could it be?
“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, because they’d eaten every one.”
In the end, though, what are we left with? There is blame to spread all around. The blame of innocence and the blame of naivety, the blame of collusion and the blame of silence, the blame of guile and and the blame of malice. The young, I guess, can no longer share in the blame, as they are gone. Those left are the ones who kept silent, and the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Who are you? Are you one of the naive little oysters being led astray? Are you street smart and aware of the evil’s around you, but have you chosen to keep silent out of fear, cowardice, or lack of conviction? Or are you someone in a position of leadership, leading others to their peril? Who will speak for the young oysters? Who speaks for you? pEACEoUT thom
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Lewis Carroll, 1832–1898
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright--
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After 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 because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead--
There were no birds to fly.The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand:
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,"
They said, “it would be grand!”“If seven maids with seven mops
Swept 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.“0 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 choose
To 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 Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And 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 besides
Are 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 be
A 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 out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.“0 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, because
They’d eaten every one.