The moon was shining sulkily
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done
— Lewis Carroll
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
— Fun
Let’s examine this seemingly simple poem by Lewis Carroll (included at the end of this article) as a model for the interplay of certain elements. I will interpret the poem, infuse it with meaning (input), and see if our vision becomes clearer in the end (output). Consider this an exercise in understanding through reflection. This is not fact but an exploration of perspective and arrangement, a transparent art of manipulation for the sake of reflection.
The symbolism within The Walrus and the Carpenter reflects a larger issue Carroll was trying to express. Written during the peak of the British Empire, this poem may reflect the times in which Carroll lived. His mind steeped in mathematics, he used symbolism in his writing to simplify complex problems for easier understanding. Whether consciously or subconsciously, Carroll created a reflective piece that simplifies a profound issue.
It is up to us to infuse the poem with meaning and evolve our understanding. We’ll take this problem, analyze it, and rearrange the elements to solve and balance it.
The Sun and the Moon
The very beginning of the poem describes the imbalance of Yin and Yang: the unchecked Yang (the sun) dominates the night sky, interrupting Yin (the moon). Though the poem often refers to the clam, allow your inner child to be amused—but don’t let the humor overshadow the poem’s deeper meaning. In innocence, we can be transparent and learn from Yin.
The world is overly fixated on phallic symbols while neglecting the inner yonic, regardless of gender. In this analysis, the clams represent Yin individuals, and the Walrus and Carpenter represent two sides of collective Yang.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Let’s examine this divided Yang more closely. Though they travel in the same direction, they come from different perspectives. The Walrus, a symbol of excess, is interestingly a natural symbol (you never see a skinny Walrus). The Carpenter, while a craftsman, lacks reflection yet builds. They are both dominating forces, partners in a shared journey forward. They are larger entities compared to the smaller, individual clams, and, in their conversation about sand, we can see them as collective machines consuming energy for humanity’s journey.
The Walrus represents the collective body—the biological—while the Carpenter represents the collective mind—the mental.
Conversing About the Sand
If we view the Walrus and Carpenter as extensions of the sun (Yang), they become a dominating force, filled with empty action. In their conversation, they mourn that their job is never done. The endless drive to attain through energy and action continues without rest. In a world without the moon (Yin), there is no meaning, no point. The machines—the Walrus and Carpenter—work on endlessly, without purpose, mopping up the sand. How depressing a life without Yin.
The Journey and Direction
It’s interesting that Carroll chooses clams—immobile creatures, completely at the mercy of the Walrus and Carpenter. Yet, these clams hold so much potential, pearls hidden inside, showing value but also vulnerability.
The Speech
The clams look to the Walrus and Carpenter for direction, but the Walrus’s response is nonsensical, like maids mopping up sand, devoid of meaning. The Walrus and Carpenter have no inner pearl to guide them. The speech proves that.
The Feast
The clams panic right before they’re eaten—a sad moment for everyone except the Carpenter, who is in denial. The clams are arranged and composed for the feast, just like other ingredients that feed the machines. The only exception is the clam still safe in its oyster bed, untraveled and unmoved.
The Way Home
Here lies the paradox: being consumed yet cared for. This riddle reflects the human condition. We leave home for self-discovery, yet we long to return, renewed, to the comfort of home. The machines need us as much as we need them as vessels for our journey. Yet something feels dreadfully wrong about this arrangement, and we all know it. This divide constantly derails our progress throughout history.
An Interpretation
From one perspective, the Walrus and Carpenter represent opposite machines of the human paradigm: the collective physical body that consumes the material world and the collective mind that consumes individual thought. The Walrus, full of need and excess, shows emotions and empathy. Notably, the Walrus only asks for four clams—two for himself and two for the Carpenter—implying a desire for balance, which they never achieve. The Walrus, though dishonest, shows a higher level of honesty than the Carpenter, who remains oblivious to his consumption.
The Carpenter, representing the collective mind, attempts to craft life with the clams but ends up consuming them. He remains silent, overwhelmed by the Walrus’s needs, and after eating the clams, he offers to take the nonexistent clams back to the water—because that was the plan.
The Evolution of Interpretation
The evolution of this poem from its original form to the 1951 cartoon version highlights the changing role of the Carpenter. In the original, he partakes in the feast, while in the cartoon, he’s furious with the Walrus for eating all the clams. The cartoon was made just after World War II, reflecting a recent confrontation with a materialistic machine (the Walrus). The Carpenter’s fury at the Walrus in the cartoon reflects a deepening divide between the mind and body collectives.
This evolving model demonstrates a problem we have not yet solved. It is up to us, through perspective and understanding, to find the solution.
How Do We Solve This Problem?
We need individuals who are aware—individuals who realize they are being consumed by the machine and understand that the machine itself wants to be controlled, balanced, and directed. While the mind machine will never acknowledge that it’s consuming the clams, we must voluntarily participate in planning to create a balanced society and world.
This material walrus machine, the body, provides us with food, clothing, and other resources. It is not evil but a survival mechanism that can spiral out of control if unchecked. Conversely, the planning machine, the mind, without empathy and reflection, is just as dangerous.
What You Can Do
We must evolve the narrative of this poem, and I invite every individual to offer an answer—whether in poetry, art, or any creative form. As individuals and collectives, we must navigate the path forward, balancing our mind and body, and bridging that deep crevice in the collective machine.
By working on our own problems, our own pearls, we help steer humanity toward balance. To know oneself is to know how to navigate life. Find your own path, and in doing so, help the machines find theirs. Use perspective to bridge your own mind/body divide.
Conclusion
In the poem, there are neither birds nor clouds in the sky, and there is a deep divide between water and sand. Our answer lies in infusing the sky with spirit and bridging the divide between water and sand. Nature, perspective, and reflection can help us navigate both our lives and our collective.
Using this poem as a model and viewing society through the lens of Yin and Yang, we can gain clarity over complex systems. We can see the flow of energy and the inner workings of the larger machine. As individuals, we can help steer the collective by maintaining a mindful perspective and engaging with symbolic problem-solving.
Let us return Yin to its natural state and place in the universe. By the light of the moon (Yin), we can see the problem, the solution, and the way forward. Don’t let the sun’s dominating light blind you from seeing her.
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The Walrus and the Carpenter
By Lewis Carroll
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright —
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done —
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun."
The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead —
There were no birds to fly.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
If this were only cleared away,'
They said, it would be grand!'
If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,' the Walrus said,
That they could get it clear?'
I doubt it,' said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
O Oysters, come and walk with us!'
The Walrus did beseech.
A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each.'
The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head —
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.
But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat —
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.
Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more —
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.
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."
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