The Hunting of the Snark

Summary

The poem "The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll tells the story of an unusual journey undertaken by a crew of nine people and a beaver, who set out to find a mysterious creature called the Snark. The team includes characters such as a captain, a banker, a butcher, and others, each with their own unique traits. As the expedition progresses, the participants encounter various challenges and dangers. At the end of the poem, one of the hunters, the Baker, finds the Snark, but it turns out to be a Boojum, a creature that causes anyone who sees it to disappear. Consequently, the Baker vanishes, leaving the fate of the rest of the crew unknown.

Main Ideas

• Absurdity and illogicality: The book is filled with ridiculous and absurd situations that highlight the illogical nature of the events.
• Search and goal: The central theme of the work is the search for the Snark, symbolizing an unattainable goal or dream.
• Wordplay and puns: The text is rich with wordplay, puns, and linguistic jokes, which are characteristic of Lewis Carroll's style.
• Uncertainty and ambiguity: Many elements of the book remain undefined and open to interpretation, allowing the reader to infer their own meaning.
• Surrealism: The work is infused with surreal images and situations that transcend ordinary perceptions of reality.

Historical Context and Significance

"The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll, published in 1876, is one of the most enigmatic and discussed poems in English literature. This absurdist poem, written in the genre of nonsense, continues the traditions established by Carroll in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass." The poem's influence on culture is evident in its multilayered nature and potential for various interpretations, making it a subject of study in literary and philosophical circles. "The Hunting of the Snark" has inspired numerous artists, writers, and musicians, and its imagery and phrases have entered popular culture. The poem also influenced the development of the absurdist literature genre and remains relevant due to its unique style and philosophical depth.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Captain (Bellman) - the leader of the expedition, who organizes and directs the crew in their search for the Snark. He is decisive and confident, but his methods and plans sometimes seem strange and illogical.
• Beaver - a member of the crew known for its diligence and hard work. It is constantly busy and strives to be useful to the team.
• Banker - a crew member who is constantly worried about his money and safety. His fears and anxieties often distract him from the search for the Snark.
• Butcher - a crew member who specializes in meat cutting. He is friendly and sociable, but his profession causes some unease among the other crew members.
• Baker - a crew member who has lost his memory and cannot remember his name. He is full of enthusiasm and determination, but his forgetfulness sometimes puts the team in a difficult position.
• Broker - a crew member who deals in trade and exchange. He is pragmatic and calculating, but his business acumen is sometimes useless in the expedition's conditions.
• Billingsgate Fisherman - a crew member who specializes in fishing. He is experienced and confident in his abilities, but his skills are not always applicable in the search for the Snark.
• Billiard-marker - a crew member responsible for maintaining morale and rhythm. He is energetic and optimistic, but sometimes his enthusiasm seems excessive.
• Barrister - a crew member who handles legal matters and disputes. He is pedantic and meticulous, but his knowledge of laws is not always useful in the expedition's conditions.

Style and Technique

"The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll is a nonsense poem written in the style of absurdism. The language of the work is rich with wordplay, puns, and allusions, creating an atmosphere of mystery and humor. Carroll uses rhythmic structure and rhyme to give the text a musicality and lightness. Literary devices include alliteration, assonance, and paradoxical imagery, which emphasize the absurdity of the events. The narrative structure consists of eight "fits" or parts, each describing stages of the journey and the search for the Snark. The characters are eccentric and caricatured, each with unique traits and names, adding to the comedic effect and enhancing the sense of nonsense.

Interesting Facts

• The book is written in the genre of absurdist poetry and is one of Lewis Carroll's most famous works.
• The work features numerous neologisms and words invented by the author, making the text unique and challenging to translate.
• The plot of the book follows a group of ten characters who set out to find a mythical creature called the Snark.
• Each character has a unique profession and personality, adding variety and humor to the narrative.
• The book consists of eight chapters, each called a "Fit," an old term for a part of a poem.
• The work is filled with allusions and hidden meanings, allowing for various interpretations and making it interesting for analysis.

Book Review

"The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll is a poem that continues the traditions of absurdism and wordplay begun in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Critics note that the work is filled with riddles and allegories that can be interpreted in various ways. The poem tells the story of a team of strange characters who set out to find the mythical creature, the Snark. Carroll masterfully uses language to create an atmosphere of mystery and humor. Some critics see the work as a satire on Victorian society, while others view it as philosophical reflections on human nature and the search for meaning in life. Despite its apparent simplicity, "The Hunting of the Snark" remains a multilayered and profound work that continues to intrigue and provoke debate among literary scholars.