Lewis Carroll, born Charles Dodgson, was a man of many talents and interests. He was a mathematician, a logician, a photographer, and of course, a writer. But it is his work as a writer, particularly his literary masterpiece Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, that has captivated and mesmerized readers for generations. Carroll's writing style is whimsical and nonsensical, characterized by his use of word play, clever puns, and fantastical imagery. His ability to create a surreal and dreamlike world that exists just beneath the surface of reality is truly enchanting. One cannot help but be drawn into his stories, as they transport the reader to a realm where anything is possible.
One cannot help but be drawn into his stories, as they transport the reader to a realm where anything is possible. The main idea **of Carroll's writing** is his ability to tap into the childlike imagination and sense of wonder that resides within all of us. Through his fantastical tales, he challenges the constraints of society and invites readers to explore and question the world around them.
‘Chortle,’ and other words invented by Lewis Carroll
Britain is thinking about getting out of the European Union. That has led to the coining of a new term, “Brexit,” a combination of “British” and “exit.” Though it sounds a little bit like a British biscuit (cookies to Americans), it has caught on.
“Brexit” is a “portmanteau,” a new word formed by a combination of two other words, like “smoke” and “fog” to yield “smog.”
We’ve written about “portmanteaus” several times, but never explained where the term came from.
You can blame Humpty Dumpty.
Or rather, Lewis Carroll. In Through the Looking-Glass in 1871, Carroll, who was fond of making up words, made one up for Humpty Dumpty to explain to Alice some of the made-up words in Jabberwocky:
Sign up for CJR 's“Well, ‘SLITHY’ means ‘lithe and slimy.’ ‘Lithe’ is the same as ‘active.’ You see it’s like a portmanteau—there are two meanings packed up into one word.”
Back then, a “portmanteau” was a suitcase, one that opened into two sections. But Carroll’s “portmanteau” has made it into mainstream dictionaries, as have several other words that Carroll made up for Jabberwocky.
The most popular one is likely “chortle,” which is probably a combination of “chuckle” and “snort,” though Merriam-Webster’s first definition seems more appropriate for the context in Jabberwocky: “to sing or chant exultantly.” (The young man who had just slain the Jabberwock “chortled in his joy,” which sounds more like a celebration than a laugh.) The Oxford English Dictionary calls “chortle” “A factitious word introduced by the author of Through the Looking-Glass, and jocularly used by others after him.” Regular Language Corner readers know all about “factitious” things, but since in many ways, nearly all new words are “factitious” these days, that label may not be very useful. (See “Brexit.”)
Carroll also coined “galumph,” which the Jabberwock killer did. Again, it originally implied a celebratory gait, perhaps a “portmanteau” of “gallop” and “triumph.” Now, it usually means something closer to “lumbered,” or to move slowly and clumsily.
And what in heaven’s name is a “frumious Bandersnatch”? Unlike most of the made-up words in Jabberwocky, the “Bandersnatch” appears again in Looking-Glass, both times in reference to things that were moving quickly, implying that the “Bandersnatch” is a swift beast. It seems obvious that a “frumious Bandersnatch” is angry or upset and to be avoided.
The Bandersnatch was adopted by a number of science fiction authors, including J.R.R. Tolkien, Larry Niven, and Roger Zelazny (yes, we were in the science fiction club in high school), and has lots of other pop-culture references as well.
Carroll was able to get away with all of these “portmanteaus” and “factitious” words because, while Alice didn’t really know the words, she was able to at least grasp their basic concepts. After reading Jabberwocky, she told Humpty Dumpty that “it’s RATHER hard to understand!” Even so, she said, “Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas—only I don’t know exactly what they are! However, SOMEBODY killed SOMETHING: that’s clear, at any rate.”
As we’re fond of saying, context is always the key.
Carroll explained his “portmanteau” logic further, in the preface to The Hunting of the Snark, where the Bandersnatch and some other Jabberwocky words made repeat appearances:
For instance, take the two words “fuming” and “furious.” Make up your mind that you will say both words, but leave it unsettled which you will first. Now open your mouth and speak. If your thoughts incline ever so little towards fuming,” you will say “fuming-furious;” if they turn, by even a hair’s breadth, towards “furious,” you will say “furious-fuming;” but if you have the rarest of gifts, a perfectly balanced mind, you will say “frumious.”
About that “snark,” which Carroll also invented. It has nothing to do with what we today think of as “snark,” the irreverent, sarcastic comment you might make when sending someone on a “snark hunt.” Instead, that kind of “snark” is a back formation of “snarky,” which comes from words meaning “to snore” and later came mean “to nag,” and the first use of that “snark” came more than 100 years after Lewis Carroll.
If Carroll had invented such a word, he might have called it “sargging,” a “portmanteau” of “sarcastic” and “nagging.” But he didn’t. We did.
Let’s see if it catches on as well as “Brexit” has.
Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at the New York Times, where she worked for twenty-five years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl.
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His stories—published during the mid- to late-1800s—are full of life, adventure, humor, and some of the most fantastical words. You see, Carroll wasn’t just a great wordsmith, he was a great word inventor. He loved to sprinkle in the most delightful nonce words when those in the English language just wouldn’t quite do. Here are some wonderful words Carroll is credited with coining.
His stories are a playful and satirical critique of the Victorian era, but also serve as a timeless commentary on human nature and the absurdities of life. Carroll's use of language is also a fundamental aspect of his spellbinding storytelling. He skillfully plays with words, transforming them into new meanings and creating a sense of linguistic fun and creativity. His poetry, such as "Jabberwocky," with its nonsensical words and imaginative imagery, is a prime example of this linguistic magic. In addition to his writing, Carroll's photographs also add to the spell he weaves. His portraits of young girls, most famously Alice Liddell, the inspiration for his beloved character Alice, are hauntingly beautiful. They capture a sense of innocence and wonder, further deepening the allure of his tales. Carroll's spell on readers has not diminished over time. His stories continue to be read and loved by children and adults alike, and his fantastical world has inspired countless adaptations and interpretations. The enduring appeal of Lewis Carroll lies in his ability to transport readers to a world of whimsy and imagination, where logic is turned on its head and anything is possible. His spell weaves its magic over us, encouraging us to embrace our inner child and to see the world with fresh eyes..
Reviews for "Lewis Carroll's Fascination with Logic and Mathematics"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "The Spell of Lewis Carroll" as I am a huge fan of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland". However, I found this book to be incredibly disappointing. The writing style was incredibly dry and lacked any of the charm or whimsy that Carroll's original work had. The plot was also confusing and disjointed, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I was left feeling let down by this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I had high hopes for "The Spell of Lewis Carroll" but unfortunately, it fell completely flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth, making it difficult to connect or care about their struggles. The pacing was also incredibly slow, and I found myself bored and disinterested throughout most of the book. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further hindering my enjoyment. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this novel and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Michael - 2 stars
As a longtime fan of Lewis Carroll, I was eager to delve into "The Spell of Lewis Carroll". However, I found the writing style to be pretentious and overly verbose, which hindered my enjoyment of the story. The plot itself lacked originality and felt like a poor imitation of Carroll's work, rather than a unique and captivating tale. I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to fellow Carroll enthusiasts.