What does “why does a raven look like a writing desk” mean?
The phrase “Why does a raven look like a writing desk?” is actually a riddle from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” In the story, the Mad Hatter poses this riddle to Alice without providing an answer. The riddle has been interpreted in various ways, and Carroll himself later admitted that he had not originally intended for the riddle to have a clear answer. It has since become a symbol of the nonsensical and whimsical nature of Wonderland.
The phrase “Why does a raven resemble a writing desk?” is a riddle presented by the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll’s timeless novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” This particular riddle has become renowned for its inability to yield an answer. Carroll himself, in the preface of the 1896 edition of the book, mentioned that the riddle was initially designed to be answerless but later proposed a solution:
“Because it can produce a few notes, though they are very flat, and it is never put with the wrong end in front!” Observe the use of “never,” spelled backward as “raven,” showcasing Carroll’s penchant for wordplay and the whimsical elements that permeate much of his literary masterpiece.
This enigmatic riddle has captivated readers and scholars across generations resulting in interpretations and proposed resolutions. It serves as a representation of Carrolls nonsensical and playful world, where logic and conventional meanings are often subverted or delightfully distorted. The enduring allure of this riddle lies partly in its ended nature beckoning readers to embrace their imagination and cleverness by concocting their own answers.
What does “why does a raven look like a writing desk” mean?
The phrase “why does a raven appear to be a writing desk” is a famous riddle from Lewis Carroll’s ebook “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” In the story, the Mad Hatter poses this riddle to Alice all through a tea party, however he admits that he doesn’t recognize the answer himself. The riddle is by no means without a doubt solved in the ebook, leaving readers to contemplate its that means.
Over the years, many interpretations of the riddle have been proposed, however the most extensively prevalent explanation is that it has no solution or which means. Lewis Carroll become acknowledged for his whimsical and nonsensical writing style, and the riddle may additionally simply be a mirrored image of this style.
Some humans have also suggested that the riddle is a metaphor for the arbitrary nature of language and the problems of verbal exchange. The riddle’s lack of a clear solution or that means can also constitute the demanding situations that people face while seeking to recognize each different’s mind and ideas.
Ultimately, the real which means of the riddle is left as much as interpretation, and it remains a source of fascination and hypothesis for readers of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
Why is a raven like a writing desk? Is there an actual answer to this, or is it just a mumbo jumbo?
Lewis Carroll said that when he wrote the riddle, he had no answer in mind. But he later came up with the answer that both can produce a few notes, but they’re very flat. He also said that they are never put with the wrong end in front. (The joke is that nevar is raven spelled backwards—i.e. a raven is nevar put with the wrong end in front.)
Others have pointed out that a raven is like a writing desk because Edgar Allen Poe wrote on them. (Recall that “to write on” is a somewhat archaic way of saying “to write about.) Someone else pointed out that they both stand on their legs, conceal their secrets, and ought to be made to shut up. The pun is that ravens steal things and hide them, and writing desks would have had a compartment for steel pen nibs back when those were in use. (Steals = steels, get it?)
Someone else pointed out that a writing desk is a rest for pens and good for writing books, and a raven is a pest for wrens and good for biting rooks. It has also been noted that they are both used to carry out decomposition.
I would add that a raven is like a writing desk because neither one is made of cheese nor can drive a manual transmission automobile. But that’s just me.
What does a raven and a writing desk have in common?
The question “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” is famously posed by the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” However, Carroll did not provide a definitive answer to this riddle in the book. The lack of a clear solution has led to much speculation and creative interpretations over the years.
Carroll himself acknowledged the lack of an original answer in later editions of the book. In the preface to the 1896 edition, he wrote:
“Enquiries have been so often addressed to me, as to whether any answer to the Hatter’s Riddle can be imagined, that I may as well put on record here what seems to me to be a fairly appropriate answer, viz: ‘Because it can produce a few notes, though they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front!’ This, however, is merely an afterthought; the Riddle, as originally invented, had no answer at all.”
So, while Carroll eventually suggested an answer in later editions, it’s important to note that the riddle was initially intended to be nonsensical and without a specific solution.
Here are some facts:
- Both are black and oily—one because of it’s feathers, the other because it’s usually covered in ink blots.
- They both also have legs, as mentioned.
- They both also (in Lewis Carroll’s time) typically had a feather (or a few) or quill on them for writing or keeping warm.
- They both make a terrible noise when moved.
- Both seem to mock you, for different reasons. A raven mocks you by reminding you ( as was the superstition back in his time)that death is unavoidable. The desk mocks your ideas, your work; both torment you by turning you on yourself.
- Ravens make a knocking sound (actually a dominance display ) that sounds a lot like a person knocking on hard wood. (Perhaps where the tap, tap, tapping,/rap, rapping from Poe’s The Raven came about from.)
What is the connection between a raven and a writing desk in “Alice in Wonderland”?
It’s a famous joke that the Mad Hatter asks Alice, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”; Carroll meant for it to have no answer, to be a bit of nonsense that a loony like the Hatter would spout, but of course fans of the Wonderland books have made up their own answers for decades. My personal fave, “Because they both have inky quills.”
What does “why does a raven look like a writing desk” mean?
Certainly! Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is a famous novel published in 1865. It tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world known as Wonderland. Throughout her journey, Alice encounters a myriad of eccentric characters and experiences surreal situations.
The Mad Hatter is one of the memorable characters Alice encounters during her adventure. He is known for his eccentric behavior, including hosting a never-ending tea party. During the tea party, the Mad Hatter poses the riddle, “Why does a raven look like a writing desk?” to Alice.
Carroll intentionally crafted the nonsensical nature of Wonderland, and this riddle is an example of that. The riddle does not have a definitive answer in the book itself, leaving readers and fans to speculate and interpret its meaning.
Over the years, numerous interpretations and proposed answers to the riddle have emerged. Some suggest that the riddle is meant to highlight the absurdity and illogical nature of Wonderland, while others believe it represents the lack of logic in language itself. Carroll himself later admitted that the riddle was initially meant to be a joke without a concrete solution.
The phrase has become iconic and is often referenced in popular culture, with various adaptations and reinterpretations appearing in different forms of media. It has come to symbolize the whimsical and nonsensical elements of Wonderland and the imaginative world created by Lewis Carroll.
Who wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll. The book was published in 1865 and has since become a beloved classic of children’s literature. Lewis Carroll also wrote a sequel to the book called “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There,” which was published in 1871.
Certainly! Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was an English writer, mathematician, and photographer. He was born on January 27, 1832, in Daresbury, Cheshire, England, and he died on January 14, 1898, in Guildford, Surrey, England.
Carroll’s most famous works are “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and its sequel “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.” These books follow the adventures of a young girl named Alice who finds herself in a whimsical and nonsensical world filled with peculiar characters and situations. The books have been highly influential and have had a lasting impact on literature, inspiring countless adaptations, interpretations, and references in popular culture.
Lewis Carroll’s writing style is characterized by his use of logical and linguistic puzzles, wordplay, and fantastical imagery. His works often blend fantasy, satire, and social commentary, appealing to both children and adults. In addition to his Alice books, Carroll wrote poetry, puzzles, mathematical treatises, and works on symbolic logic.
Carroll’s other notable works include “The Hunting of the Snark,” a nonsense poem published in 1876, and “Sylvie and Bruno,” a two-volume novel published in 1889 and 1893. He was also known for his talent as a photographer and took portraits of many notable figures of his time.
Lewis Carroll’s legacy continues to endure, and his Alice books remain beloved classics that capture the imagination of readers of all ages. His unique blend of creativity, humor, and intellectual curiosity has made him an enduring figure in literature.
What other riddles were asked in this story?
In Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” several riddles and puzzling questions are posed throughout the story. Here are a few notable ones:
- “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” – This is perhaps the most famous riddle from the story, asked by the Mad Hatter. As mentioned earlier, Carroll intentionally left it unanswered, adding to the whimsical nature of Wonderland.
- “How is it you can see things miles off?” – This question is asked by Alice to the Cheshire Cat, who responds, “I can see a little way into your thoughts.” The Cheshire Cat is known for its ability to appear and disappear at will, seemingly defying conventional perception.
- “Why did the Hatter move to the March Hare’s house?” – This riddle is posed by the Dormouse during the Mad Tea Party scene. The Dormouse offers the answer, “Because he was mad.” The riddle plays on the theme of madness and the eccentric behavior of the characters in Wonderland.
- “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” (Yes, it appears multiple times in the story.) – This riddle is asked again by the Hatter during the trial scene. This time, when Alice insists on an answer, the Hatter replies, “I haven’t the slightest idea!” This further emphasizes the nonsensical and puzzling nature of the riddle.
These riddles, along with other nonsensical and perplexing elements in the story, contribute to the overall atmosphere of absurdity and challenge the logical expectations of both the characters and the readers.
What is the main theme of the story?
The main theme of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is the exploration of the concept of identity and the search for meaning. Throughout her journey in Wonderland, Alice encounters a series of bizarre and unpredictable situations that challenge her understanding of herself and the world around her.
She constantly grapples with questions of who she is, what her purpose is, and how she fits into this strange and illogical realm. The story is a whimsical and satirical exploration of the confusion and uncertainty that can arise when trying to make sense of an absurd and nonsensical world. It also touches on themes of growing up, the loss of innocence, and the power of imagination.
Why does my Chromebook keep turning off?
Conclusion
The phrase “Why does a raven look like a writing desk?” is a famous riddle posed by the Mad Hatter, a fictional character from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” The riddle is not intended to have a straightforward or logical answer. In fact, during the story, Alice finds that the Mad Hatter’s riddles and questions are often nonsensical and designed to confuse or amuse, rather than to provide a meaningful answer.
The riddle is an example of the whimsical and surreal nature of Wonderland, where logic and reality are often turned upside down or ignored altogether. Carroll’s work is known for its use of wordplay and absurdity, and the riddle is a prime example of this style. It has become a symbol of the nonsensical and imaginative world created.
What does “why does a raven look like a writing desk” mean?