Like all literary texts, both “The Walrus and the Carpenter” and “The Cop and the Anthem” are products of the time in which they were written.

Question

Lewis Carroll lived in England during the reign of Queen Victoria (from 1837 to 1901), a period marked by a strict class structure, adherence to conventional morality, and general repression. (Adjectives often used to describe the Victorian Era include stuffy and prudish.)
O Henry wrote most of his works around the turn of the twentieth century while living in New York City. It was a time of great change, technological advancement, and economic growth, but also of wide division between the poor and the well-off.
In an essay of 300 to 500 words, analyze the language of each text—figurative as well as literal—and evaluate the ways in which it signals the historical and cultural surroundings of the author. Cite specific evidence from the texts to support your analysis. Adhere to conventional rules for the placement and format of your citations. Organize your essay clearly, and follow the rules of English grammar and punctuation.

Self-Assess
Use the rubric to decide whether your essay fulfills the standards of ideas/purpose; analysis; organization; comprehension; and grammar, conventions, and spelling.

Answer 1

Title: Cultural Reflections in Language: A Comparative Analysis of Lewis Carroll's "The Walrus and the Carpenter" and O. Henry's "The Cop and the Anthem"

Both Lewis Carroll's "The Walrus and the Carpenter" and O. Henry's "The Cop and the Anthem" serve as reflections of their historical and cultural contexts, utilizing language that encapsulates the values, societal structures, and prevailing attitudes of their respective eras. While Carroll's whimsical prose and satirical tone reveal the constraints of Victorian society, O. Henry’s poignant narrative and conversational style expose the socio-economic divides of early 20th-century America.

In "The Walrus and the Carpenter," Carroll employs a lighthearted, nursery-rhyme quality to present a seemingly innocuous tale that masks deeper moral commentary. The whimsical landscape populated by "The Walrus," "The Carpenter," and the "Oysters" may initially appear benign, yet it subtly critiques the self-indulgent nature of authority figures and societal norms. The playful, almost gluttonous imagery associated with the Walrus, who is depicted as a "kindly" figure that "invites" the oysters to walk with him, belies a sinister undertone revealing the predatory nature of conformist values. The repetition of phrases like “The time has come” and the cheerful descriptions of the journey serve to lull the reader into a false sense of security before the horrific consumption of the oysters occurs (Carroll). This stark juxtaposition of tone reflects the superficial manners of Victorian society that often obscured harsh realities, highlighting a culture that prioritized appearance over true morality.

Conversely, O. Henry's "The Cop and the Anthem" employs colloquial language and an informal narrative style that provides insight into the struggles of the urban poor in New York City. The protagonist, Soapy, represents the disenfranchised working class attempting to navigate a rapidly changing environment characterized by technological advancements and shifting societal values. The use of direct dialogue and humor captures the essence of his character's plight. Soapy’s desire to get arrested to escape the cold is both tragic and absurd, illustrating the desperation of those on the fringes of society. Phrases such as "the unadorned misery of his situation" highlight the dissonance between the American Dream and the harsh realities faced by many (O. Henry). O. Henry's narrative style, marked by irony and a keen understanding of human fallibility, reveals a culture grappling with inequity and the struggle for dignity amidst economic growth.

Both Carroll and O. Henry employ figurative and literal language to communicate critical commentary on their respective societies. Carroll's use of absurdity and satire underscores the moral failures embedded within the rigid social structures of Victorian England, while O. Henry's engaging style and empathetic portrayal of Soapy reflect the stark realities of life for the impoverished in early 20th-century America. Ultimately, each author's language not only defines their characters and narrative arcs but also serves as a mirror to the social and cultural climates in which they wrote, demonstrating literature's enduring power to reveal the complexities of human experience.

Works Cited

Carroll, Lewis. "The Walrus and the Carpenter." The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll, Macmillan, 1896.

O. Henry. "The Cop and the Anthem." The Four Million, Doubleday, Page & Co., 1906.

---

Self-Assessment

1. Ideas/Purpose: The essay presents a clear comparison of the texts, arguing how each author’s language reflects historical and cultural contexts.
2. Analysis: The analysis is supported with specific textual evidence, demonstrating a strong understanding of each work’s themes.
3. Organization: The essay is well-organized with an introduction, body paragraphs focusing on each text, and a conclusion summarizing the analysis.
4. Comprehension: The essay shows a comprehensive understanding of the cultural settings of both authors and their works.
5. Grammar, Conventions, and Spelling: The writing adheres to standard conventions of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

The essay fulfills the standards outlined in the rubric for a successful analysis of literary texts within their historical contexts.