Detailed Summary: The Mock Turtle's Song | Oxford English for Class 4 PDF Download

About the Poet

Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lut widge Dodgson in 1832, was an English writer, mathematician, and logician. He is most famous for his children's books, especially "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and its sequel, "Through the Looking-Glass." Carroll was known for his playful use of language, whimsical characters, and imaginative stories that often contained deeper meanings. He worked as a lecturer in mathematics and was deeply interested in puzzles and wordplay, which is reflected in his poetry. Carroll's writing often blurs the line between fantasy and reality, inviting readers to explore a world where logic is turned upside down. His unique style has made him a beloved figure in children's literature. He passed away in 1898, but his works continue to enchant readers of all ages, inspiring countless adaptations and interpretations.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem is titled "The Lobster Quadrille" and is part of Carroll's "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland."
• It consists of five stanzas and is written in a playful, conversational tone.
• The main characters are a whiting and a snail, who engage in a dialogue about joining a dance.
• The whiting encourages the snail to join a dance with various sea creatures, including lobsters and turtles.
• The snail is hesitant and declines the invitation, expressing concern about the distance they would have to travel.
• The poem highlights themes of adventure, friendship, and the tension between excitement and caution.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1
'Will you walk a little faster?'
Said a whiting to a snail,
'There's a porpoise close behind us,
And he's treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and
The turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle
Will you come and join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you,
Will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you,
Won't you join the dance?

In this first stanza, a whiting, which is a type of fish, is talking to a snail. The whiting is feeling a bit worried and is asking the snail to move faster. The whiting says there is a porpoise, which is a big sea animal, swimming close behind them. The whiting feels scared because the porpoise might accidentally step on its tail if they don’t hurry. The whiting also sees lobsters and turtles eagerly moving forward on the beach, waiting for something fun to happen. The whiting wants the snail to join them in a dance, which sounds exciting! The whiting keeps asking the snail to come and dance with them, repeating the question, "Will you join the dance?" This makes it sound very inviting and fun, as if everyone is waiting for the snail to come and join the party by the sea.

Stanza 2
'You can really have no notion
How delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us,
With the lobsters, out to sea!'
But the snail replied 'Too far, too far!'
And gave a look askance
Said he thanked the whiting kindly,
But he would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not,
Would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not,
Could not join the dance.

In this second stanza, the whiting is trying to explain how wonderful it will be if they all join together and dance. The whiting tells the snail that they will be picked up and thrown into the sea with the lobsters, which sounds like a big adventure! But the snail is not so sure. The snail thinks that going that far is too much for him. He looks a bit worried and decides that he doesn’t want to join the dance. The snail says thank you to the whiting for inviting him, but he is firm in his decision not to go. He repeats several times that he "would not" and "could not" join the dance. This shows how determined he is to stay where he is, even if the idea of dancing sounds fun.

Stanza 3
'What matters it how far we go?'
His scaly friend replied.
'There is another shore, you know,
Upon the other side.
The further off from England
The nearer is to France
Then turn not pale, beloved snail,
But come and join the dance.
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you,
Will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you,
Won't you join the dance?

In this last stanza, the whiting tries to convince the snail again. The whiting asks the snail why it matters how far they go. He tells the snail that there is a beautiful place on the other side of the sea, which could be a wonderful adventure. The whiting explains that the farther they go from England, the closer they get to France, which is a different place. The whiting gently tells the snail not to be scared and to come join the dance. The whiting keeps asking the snail, repeating the invitation to join the fun. This shows that the whiting really cares about the snail and wants him to have a good time too. The repeated questions make it sound like everyone is still waiting for the snail to make his choice. 

Theme/ Message

Difficult Words

• Whiting: A type of fish that is often found in the sea.
• Porpoise: A marine mammal that resembles a dolphin.
• Treading: Walking or stepping on something.
• Shingle: A beach covered with small stones or pebbles.
• Delightful: Very pleasing or charming.
• Afloat: Floating on water; not sinking.
• Advance: To move forward or make progress.
• Asance: A sideways or suspicious glance.
• Kindly: In a kind manner; showing kindness.
• Pale: To become light in color, often due to fear or worry.
• Beloved: Dearly loved or cherished.
• Further: More distant in space or time.
• Scaly: Covered with scales, typical of fish and reptiles.
• Dance: A series of steps and movements that match the rhythm of music.
• Join: To become a part of something; to participate.