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    Poets of Nature, Revelry, and Rhyme Nature, Revelry, and Rhyme    

Lesson 3: The Walrus and The Carpenter Stanzas 10-18

by Lewis Carroll

Performer: Librivox - Jon Sindell


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.



"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.

    Poets of Nature, Revelry, and Rhyme Nature, Revelry, and Rhyme    

Lesson 3: The Walrus and The Carpenter Stanzas 10-18

by Lewis Carroll

Performer: Librivox - Jon Sindell

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the poem.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Study the vocabulary words.
  • Read about the poet.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

The Walrus, the Carpenter, and the Oysters walk on the beach. When the Walrus mentions needing pepper and vinegar, condiments used to season oysters, the oysters worry they are about to be eaten. At the end of the poem, the Carpenter asks the Oysters if they wish to return home, but no Oysters answer. The Walrus and Carpenter have eaten them all.

Vocabulary

Vinegar: A sour-tasting liquid that is used as a condiment or for pickling.
Dismal: Depressing, dreary, and gloomy.
Trot: Run at a moderate pace, typically with short steps.
Sympathize: To feel sorry for.
Odd: Strange or out of the ordinary.

Concepts

  1. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) was born in 1832 in Guildford, England. See his picture below.
  2. Zoom in and find Carroll's country of birth (UK) on the map of Europe below.
  3. The son of a country parson, Carroll had ten brothers and sisters. As a young child, Carroll became ill, resulting in deafness in one ear. Carroll also suffered from a stammer.
  4. Carroll was homeschooled until he was twelve, at which time he went away to school. He went on to study mathematics at Oxford. From when he was a child, he wrote short stories and poetry and submitted them to magazines.
  5. He eventually assumed the pen name 'Lewis Carroll', and is most famous for writing 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.' He was also a renowned poet.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

  • Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem.

Activity 2: Study the Poem Picture / Can You Find It?

  • Study the poem picture, and describe how it relates to the poem.

Find the following in the picture:

  • Sea
  • The Carpenter
  • The Walrus
  • Tusk
  • Piece of Bitten Bread
  • Empty Oyster Shells

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

  • After reading or listening to the poem, narrate the poem events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 5 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 7

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Walrus and The Carpenter.'
1 / 7

Question 2

What is the name of the poet who wrote 'The Walrus and The Carpenter?'
2 / 7

Answer 2

The name of the poet is Lewis Carroll.
2 / 7

Question 3

What happens in the poem?
3 / 7

Answer 3

The Carpenter and Walrus take a group of oysters for a walk and then eat them.
3 / 7

Question 4

Where does the poem take place?
4 / 7

Answer 4

The poem takes place on a beach in the middle of the night.
4 / 7

Question 5

Who are the characters in the poem?
5 / 7

Answer 5

The characters in the poem are the Walrus, the Carpenter, and the Oysters.
5 / 7

Question 6

Why do the oysters worry about being eaten when the Walrus mentions pepper and vinegar?
6 / 7

Answer 6

Oysters are often seasoned with pepper and vinegar before they are eaten.
6 / 7

Question 7

Does the poem teach us anything?
7 / 7

Answer 7

The poem suggests that it may be wise to trust and follow the opinions and instincts of your elders. The eldest oyster refuses to walk with the Carpenter and the Walrus. If the younger oysters had followed its lead, they would not have been eaten.
7 / 7

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Walrus and The Carpenter.'
  2. What is the name of the poet who wrote 'The Walrus and The Carpenter?' The name of the poet is Lewis Carroll.
  3. What happens in the poem? The Carpenter and Walrus take a group of oysters for a walk and then eat them.
  4. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place on a beach in the middle of the night.
  5. Who are the characters in the poem? The characters in the poem are the Walrus, the Carpenter, and the Oysters.
  6. Why do the oysters worry about being eaten when the Walrus mentions pepper and vinegar? Oysters are often seasoned with pepper and vinegar before they are eaten.
  7. Does the poem teach us anything? The poem suggests that it may be wise to trust and follow the opinions and instincts of your elders. The eldest oyster refuses to walk with the Carpenter and the Walrus. If the younger oysters had followed its lead, they would not have been eaten.

References

  1. 'Lewis Carroll.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

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