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Why Does The Walrus Cry In 'Walrus And The Carpenter'?
2026-01-21 16:03:57
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Owen
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The Lonely Howl
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What gets me about the Walrus crying is how layered it is. On one level, it's just silly—a giant walrus weeping over oysters he's about to eat. But dig deeper, and it feels like Carroll's poking fun at how people perform emotions. The Walrus is all 'weep weep, poor little oysters,' but he still devours them. It's like those moments in stories where a character gives a big, sad speech but keeps doing awful things. The Carpenter doesn't even bother with the act, which makes the Walrus seem even more theatrical. Is he crying because he's sad, or because he wants to look sad? The poem leaves it up to you, and that's what makes it so clever. Plus, the rhythm of the lines makes the sobs feel almost musical, like it's part of the joke.
2026-01-22 01:00:13
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Sophia
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The Lonely Wolf
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The Walrus's tears in that poem? Classic Carroll absurdity with a side of dark humor. At face value, it seems like he's weeping out of guilt for luring the oysters to their doom, but the more you sit with it, the more unsettling it gets. Is he crying because he's actually remorseful, or is it part of the act? The way he sobs 'I deeply sympathize' while munching on oysters is hilariously hypocritical. It reminds me of those villains in anime who monologue about their tragic past while doing awful things—you almost buy their sadness until you remember their actions. The Carpenter's indifference adds to the weirdness, like they're two sides of the same coin: one fake-cries, the other just doesn't care. Maybe the Walrus is crying because he knows he's a fraud, or maybe he's just really good at playing the victim. Either way, it's a brilliant little moment that sticks with you.
2026-01-22 02:46:58
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Owen
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He Cried When I Died
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Chef
I've always seen the Walrus's crying as this weirdly human moment in a totally nonsensical story. He's clearly the 'soft' one compared to the Carpenter, who's all business, but even his tears feel exaggerated—like he's leaning into the drama. It's funny how Carroll makes this giant, blubbering Walrus seem almost relatable, even though he's literally conning oysters. The tears could be real regret, or they could just be part of the con. That ambiguity is what makes it so interesting. The poem doesn't give you easy answers, just like real life, where people's emotions aren't always what they seem.
2026-01-25 04:26:36
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Hudson
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The Forgotten Wolf (The Tears of Odin)
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That scene in 'Walrus and the Carpenter' always gets me. The Walrus isn't just crying because he feels bad about tricking the oysters—it's deeper than that. Lewis Carroll's whole poem is packed with satire and absurdity, and the Walrus represents this manipulative yet strangely remorseful figure. He knows what he's doing is wrong, but he does it anyway, and the tears are this weird mix of guilt and performance. It's like when someone knows they're being a hypocrite but can't stop themselves. The way Carroll writes it, with all those exaggerated sobs, makes me think the Walrus is almost parodying his own emotions. But then there's the Carpenter, who just doesn't care at all, which makes the Walrus seem even more theatrical. It's such a clever little moment that makes you wonder if the Walrus is truly sad or just putting on a show.
And honestly, that duality is what makes the poem so fascinating. The Walrus cries, but he still eats the oysters. It's like a commentary on how people can perform empathy while still doing selfish things. I always end up rereading that part, trying to figure out if the tears are genuine or just another layer of manipulation. Carroll was a genius at leaving things ambiguous.
And honestly, that duality is what makes the poem so fascinating. The Walrus cries, but he still eats the oysters. It's like a commentary on how people can perform empathy while still doing selfish things. I always end up rereading that part, trying to figure out if the tears are genuine or just another layer of manipulation. Carroll was a genius at leaving things ambiguous.
2026-01-26 02:50:32
11
Grace
Favorite read:
Tears of a Mortal, Regret of a God
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Engineer
The Walrus's tears are such a weirdly memorable detail. At first glance, it seems like simple guilt, but the more you think about it, the more it feels like a parody of guilt. He's crying, but he's also eating the oysters—so is he really sorry? Or is he just pretending to be? The Carpenter doesn't even bother with the theatrics, which makes the Walrus stand out even more. It's like Carroll's saying something about how people hide behind big emotions while doing shady stuff. The whole poem's got this dreamlike, nonsensical vibe, but that moment feels oddly real in its fakeness.
2026-01-27 10:20:41
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Read NowRelated Questions
Why does the Walrus cry in 'The Walrus and the Carpenter'?
2 Answers2026-01-23 18:14:16
The Walrus's tears in 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' have always struck me as this weirdly poignant moment in an otherwise absurd poem. At first glance, it feels like Lewis Carroll is just messing with us—here’s this giant, mustachioed sea mammal sobbing over oysters he’s about to eat. But when you dig deeper, there’s this layered guilt and hypocrisy. The Walrus plays the sentimental fool, waxing poetic about 'shoes and ships and sealing-wax' while luring the oysters to their doom. His crying isn’t genuine remorse; it’s performative. It mirrors how people in power often pretend to care while exploiting others. Carroll was a master of satire, and this feels like a jab at Victorian morality—tears as a cheap cover for cruelty.
What fascinates me is how the Carpenter doesn’t cry at all. He’s just there, quietly complicit. The contrast makes the Walrus’s tears even more grotesque. It’s like watching a villain monologue about their tragic backstory mid-heist. Maybe the Walrus cries because he knows he’s a fraud, or maybe Carroll’s just reminding us how easy it is to manipulate emotions. Either way, those tears stick with you. They turn a silly children’s poem into something uncomfortably human.
What is the ending of 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' explained?
2 Answers2026-01-23 19:42:36
The ending of 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' from Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking-Glass' is a mix of dark humor and melancholy. After luring the young oysters with promises of a delightful walk and conversation, the Walrus and the Carpenter devour them all. The poem concludes with the Walrus weeping crocodile tears, pretending to feel remorse, while the Carpenter coldly asks for bread and butter to accompany the meal. It's a satirical jab at hypocrisy, especially in authority figures who exploit the innocent. The oysters' fate is grim—they’re eaten without a second thought, emphasizing how naivety can lead to tragic consequences.
What sticks with me is the way Carroll wraps such a brutal lesson in whimsical verse. The Walrus’s faux-sympathy ('I weep for you') feels eerily familiar, like politicians or salesmen who feign concern while taking advantage. The Carpenter’s indifference is just as chilling. It’s not just a nursery rhyme; it’s a commentary on power dynamics. I always wonder if Alice, listening to Tweedledee recite this, picked up on the darker undertones or just saw it as another absurd Wonderland tale.
How does 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' end?
3 Answers2025-12-12 18:18:50
I've always been fascinated by the surreal, dreamlike quality of 'The Walrus and the Carpenter,' and that ending! It leaves you with this eerie, unresolved feeling. After all that walking and talking, the oysters—those poor, gullible little creatures—get devoured by the duo. The Walrus sheds crocodile tears, pretending to feel guilty, while the Carpenter just focuses on the meal. The last lines hit hard: 'But answer came there none— / And this was scarcely odd, because / They’d eaten every one.' It’s such a dark twist for a seemingly whimsical poem. Lewis Carroll really knew how to sneak in biting satire under the guise of nonsense. Makes me wonder how many times I’ve missed the deeper meaning in other childhood stories.
What sticks with me is how the poem mirrors real-world exploitation. The oysters trust the Walrus and Carpenter, only to be betrayed. It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in absurdity, and that contrast is what makes it unforgettable. Every time I reread it, I notice new layers—like how the moon’s disapproval earlier in the poem foreshadows the tragedy. Genius, really.
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