Complete Alice in Wonderland - L. Carroll [154]
Fit the Fourth
Preparing for the Hunt: The Bellman and the Baker have heard that to capture a nonsensical creature such as a Snark, you must engage in nonsense. The rest of the crew, understanding this from the Bellman’s speech—but not necessarily believing the particular methods—are each engaging in their own form of nonsense in hopes of scoring the capture.
Fit the Fifth
The Dangers of Jabberwock Isle: One of the perils of the island is that the hunters can easily become the hunted! We know that the Jabberwock laired here, in ages past, and was slain; but there are also Bandersnatches and Jubjubs and they are still in existence. (The survival of gentler species, such as Toves, Borogoves and Raths, is uncertain.)
“’Tis the Voice of the Jubjub!”: This is a winking reference to Carroll’s parody poem in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, “’Tis the Voice of the Lobster.”
Strange Creepy Creatures: Holiday’s illustration for this Fit shows the Butcher carefully working out math, while his new friend the Beaver looks on and becomes enlightened. The “creepy creatures” include the Three Little Kittens, a toad-like creature gimbling with a gimlet, pigs that fly, and so forth. Far up in the distance, the Bellman rings his bell.
The Dubious Math of the Butcher: Carroll is having fun with his mathematical fancy here. The Butcher’s stated equation, once the poetics are stripped out, is {[(3+7+10) x 992] / 992} – 17 = 3. In short, nothing is accomplished, but the Bellman’s thrice-fold reiterations of arcane truths are echoed once again!
An Unexpected Friendship: Once threatened with identical perils (the attacks of Snarks, Jubjubs and Bandersnatches), the Beaver and Butcher find their loathing of one another perfectly inverted, and become the best of friends. The Bellman is relieved and inspired to see this occur, especially since he considers the Beaver his good luck charm on this journey.
Fit the Sixth
The Judicious Snark: The Barrister falls asleep and dreams of a Snark. Surely, the types of Snarks seen by people are dependent on their own desires, fears and beliefs. Because of this, the Barrister dreams of a Snark overtaking the judge, and making a mockery of the law. This incident is quite similar to the Mouse’s tale of Fury in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
A Glimpse of the Snark: Holiday’s illustration shows the Snark from the back. Remembering that there are many sub-species (and this one is not a Boojum), this dream-Snark wears a robe and a wig, and unfurls a judicial scroll.
Fit the Seventh
The Banker and the Bandersnatch: The Bandersnatch is a predator, quite corporeal and thoroughly unlike a Snark. The Banker, still caught in the ideas of nonsense and the hunting of the Snark, foolishly offers the Bandersnatch a deal in currency, which of course is futile; the Bandersnatch is merely hungry!
The Urgency of Twilight: The Bellman is convinced that the crew cannot catch a Snark after nightfall, and so he leaves the Banker to his fate of newfound insanity. This obsession with catching the nonesuch creature at the expense of all else has a certain resonance with Captain Ahab and Moby Dick.
Fit the Eighth
The Vanishing: This illustration shows the merest outline of the Baker, seized by a claw as he fades away into nothingness. Of course, the bell of the Bellman tolls for him.
The Vision of the Boojum: There exists a rare “suppressed” illustration by Holiday, showing what the Boojum really looks like. It is obviously inspired by Tenniel’s Jabberwock, and may indeed be a cross of a snail and a shark. Carroll felt that the poem had more power if the Boojum were never seen by the reader, and Holiday agreed. Be careful if you find it—you might cease to exist!
It’s a Snark!: Of all the company, it is the most imaginative crewmember (Carroll, the Baker) who manages to find a Snark at last. Unfortunately for him, it is also a Boojum—an idea so strong that it has taken on a life of its own, which is so convinced of its own majesty that anyone