Revisiting the Jabberwock

Earlier this month a high-ranking Federal judge in Washington, D.C., compared government lawyer's statements, to the Jabberwock type language of Lewis Carroll. Being a long-time fan of "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwock," I was somewhat uneasy with the judge's reference even though it was refreshingly humorous and probably accurate.

A Federal Appeals Court was reviewing Bush Administration scrambled arguments which were trying to justify the arrest of a Chinese Muslim as an enemy combatant. The final decision said, "The arrest and incarceration at Guantonamo Bay of this suspect was improper," and the government had at times "treated accusations of evidence."

It occurred to me there might be several of you who are not "off center" enough to remember much about Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," so it is my fun duty to "refresh you recollection." Carroll was the master of "nonsense verse" which involves making ridiculous statements that somehow seem reasonable if you are not paying close attention. Here's one better-known sample —

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

To talk of many things:

Of shoes — and ships — and sealing wax —

Of cabbages — and kings —

For a bigger example I've chosen the "Jabberwock" over "The Hunting of the Snark"… mainly because I can't find the Snark right now.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought —

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And, as is uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffing through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came.

One, two, One two, And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

? frabjous day! Callooh, Callay!"

He chortled in his joy.

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

(The End)

After hearing this poem for the first time, Alice said, "It seems very pretty but it's rather hard to understand. Somehow it deems to fill my head with ideas — only I don't exactly know what they are!"

It seems reasonable to think… Lewis Carroll would have made a formidable politician.

G. George Ostrom is a Kalispell resident and Hungry Horse News columnist.