Alice Through The Looking Glass, Chapter 4

In perhaps one of the best-known chapters of Alice Through the Looking Glass, we meet Tweedledum and Tweedledee, brothers who are mirror images of each other. We can also enjoy hearing 'The Walrus and the Carpenter.'

Transcript

Hello, Mandy here again. Welcome back to the Weird and Wonderful World of Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll. In tonight's episode, Chapter four, We're going to meet Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Interestingly, These two brothers are actually mirror images of each other. For example, One extends his left hand for a handshake and the other his right. You might notice some other things like that as you listen. But anyway, Before we start, Let's just spend a few moments taking up a comfortable position, Whether that's sitting or lying, And do any last minute adjustments to make yourself as comfortable as you can be today at this particular moment in time. Okay, Then we'll begin. Tweedledum and Tweedledee. There was only one road through the wood and two finger posts both pointed along it. I'll settle it, Alice said to herself, When the road divides and the finger posts point different ways. But this didn't seem likely to happen. She went on and on, A long way, But wherever the road divided, There was sure to be two finger posts pointing the same way. One marked to Tweedledum's house and the other to the house of Tweedledee. I do believe, Said Alice at last, That they live in the same house. I wonder, I never thought of that before. But I can't stay there long. I'll just call and say, How do you do, And ask them the way out of the wood. If I could only get to the eighth square before it gets dark. So she wandered on, Talking to herself as she went, Until on turning a sharp corner, She came upon two fat little men, So suddenly that she couldn't help starting back. But in another moment she recovered herself, Feeling sure that they must be Tweedledum and Tweedledee. They were standing under a tree, Each with an arm around the other's neck, And Alice knew which was which in a moment, Because one of them had dum embroidered on his collar and the other, Dee. I suppose they've each got Tweedle round at the back of the collar, She said to herself. They stood so still that she quite forgot they were alive, And she was just going round to see if the word Tweedle was written at the back of each collar, When she was startled by a voice coming from the one marked Dum. If you think we're waxworks, He said, You ought to pay, You know. Waxworks weren't made to be looked at for nothing, Know how. Contrary-wise, Added the one marked Dee, If you think we're alive, You ought to speak. I'm sure I'm very sorry, Was all Alice could say, For the words of the old song kept ringing through her head like the ticking of a clock, And she could hardly help saying them out loud. Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee agreed to have a battle, For Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee had spoiled their nice new rattle. Just then flew down a monstrous crow, As black as a tar barrel, Which frightened both the heroes so they quite forgot their quarrel. I know what you're thinking about, Said Tweedle Dum, But it isn't so, Know how. Contrary-wise, Continued Tweedle Dee, If it was so, It might be, And if it were so, It would be, But as it isn't, It ain't, That's logic. I was thinking, Alice said very politely, Which is the best way out of this wood, It's getting so dark, Would you tell me please? But the fat little men only looked at each other and grinned. They looked so exactly like a couple of great school boys, That Alice couldn't help pointing her finger at Tweedle Dum and saying, First boy. Know how, Tweedle Dum cried out briskly and shut his mouth up again with a snap. Next boy, Said Alice, Passing on to Tweedle Dee, Though she felt quite certain he would only shout out contrary-wise, And so he did. You've begun wrong, Cried Tweedle Dum, The first thing in a visit is to say how do you do and shake hands, And here the two brothers gave each other a hug and then they held out the two hands that were free to shake hands with her. Alice did not like shaking hands with either of them first, For fear of hurting the other one's feelings, So as the best way out of the difficulty, She took hold of both hands at once. The next moment they were dancing around in a ring. This seemed quite natural, She remembered afterwards, And she was not even surprised to hear music playing. It seemed to come from the tree under which they were dancing, And it was done as well as she could make it out, By the branches rubbing one across the other, Like fiddles and fiddle sticks. But it certainly was funny, Alice said afterwards, When she was telling her sister the story of all this, To find myself singing Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. I don't know when I began it, But somehow I felt as if I'd been singing it a long, Long time. The other two dancers were fat and very soon out of breath. Four times round is enough for one dance, Tweedledum panted out, And they left off dancing as subtly as they had begun. The music stopped at the same moment. Then they let go of Alice's hands and stood looking at her for a minute. There was a rather awkward pause, As Alice didn't know how to begin a conversation with people she'd just been dancing with. It would never do to say how do you do now, She said to herself. We seem to have got beyond that somehow. I hope you're not much tired, She said at last. No how, And thank you very much for asking, Said Tweedledum. So much obliged, Added Tweedledee. You like poetry? Pretty well, Some poetry, Alice said doubtfully. Would you tell me which road leads out of the wood? What shall I repeat to her, Said Tweedledee, Looking round at Tweedledum with great solemn eyes and not noticing Alice's question. The walrus and the carpenter is the longest, Tweedledum replied, Giving his brother an affectionate hug. Tweedledee began instantly. The sun was shining. Here Alice ventured to interrupt him. If it's very long, She said as politely as she could, Would you please tell me first which road? Tweedledee smiled gently and began again. 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 couldn't 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. Oh 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 when 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 were 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 brought them out so far, And made them trot so quick. The carpenter said nothing, But the butters spread too thick. I weep for you, The walrus said, I deeply sympathise. With sobs and tears, He sorted out those of the largest size, Holding his pocket handkerchief, Before his streaming eyes. Oh oysters, Said the carpenter, You've had a pleasant run, Shall we be trotting home again? But answer came then none, And this was scarcely odd, Because they'd eaten every one. I like the walrus best, Said Alice, Because he was a little sorry for the poor oysters. Yet more than the carpenter though, Said Tweedledee, You see he held his handkerchief in front, So that the carpenter couldn't count how many he took, Contrary wise. That was mean, Alice said indignantly. Then I like the carpenter best, If he didn't eat so many as the walrus. But he ate as many as he could get, Said Tweedledum. This was a puzzler. After a pause, Alice began, Well they were both very unpleasant characters. Here she checked herself in some alarm, At hearing something that sounded to her like the puffing of a large steam engine in the wood near them, Though she feared it was more likely to be a wild beast. Are there any lions or tigers around here, She asked timidly. It's only the red king snoring, Said Tweedledee. Come and look at him, The brothers cried, And they each took one of Alice's hands and led her up to where the king was sleeping. Isn't he a lovely sight, Said Tweedledum. Alice couldn't say honestly that he was. He had a tall red nightcap on with a tassel and he was lying crumpled up into a sort of untidy heap and snoring loud, Fit to snore his head off, As Tweedledum remarked. I'm afraid he'll catch cold with lying on the damp grass, Said Alice, Who was a very thoughtful little girl. He's dreaming now, Said Tweedledee, And what do you think he's dreaming about? Alice said, Nobody can guess that. Why about you, Tweedledee exclaimed. He clapped his hands triumphantly. And if he left off dreaming about you, Where do you suppose you'd be? Where I am now, Of course, Said Alice. Not you, Tweedledee retorted contemptuously. You'd be nowhere. Why? You're only a sort of thing in his dream. If that there king was to wake, Added Tweedledum, You'd go out, Bang, Just like a candle. I shouldn't, Alice exclaimed indignantly. Besides, If I'm only a sort of thing in his dream, What are you, I should like to know. Ditto, Said Tweedledum. Ditto, Ditto, Cried Tweedledee. He shouted this so loud that Alice couldn't help saying, Hush, You'll be waking him, I'm afraid, If you make so much noise. Well, It's no use your talking about waking him, Said Tweedledum, When you're only one of the things in his dream. You know very well that you're not real. I am real, Said Alice, And began to cry. You won't make yourself any realer by crying, Tweedledee remarked. There's nothing to cry about. If I wasn't real, Alice said, Half laughing through her tears, It all seemed so ridiculous, I shouldn't be able to cry. I hope you don't suppose those are real tears, Tweedledum interrupted in a tone of great contempt. I know they're talking nonsense, Alice thought to herself, And it's foolish to cry about it. So she brushed away her tears and went on as cheerfully as she could. At any rate, I'd better be getting out of the wood, For really it's coming on very dark. Do you think it's going to rain? Tweedledum spread a large umbrella over himself and his brother and looked up into it. No, I don't think it is, He said, At least not under here, No how. But it may rain outside. It may, If it chooses, Said Tweedledee, We've no objection, Contrary wise. Selfish things, Thought Alice, And she was just going to say goodnight and leave them, When Tweedledum sprang out from under the umbrella and seized her by the wrist. Do you see that, He said, In a voice choking with passion, And his eyes grew large and yellow all in a moment, As he pointed with the trembling finger at a small white thing lying under the tree. It's only a rattle, Alice said, After careful examination of the little white thing. Not a rattle snake, You know, She added hastily, Thinking that he was frightened. Only an old rattle, Quite old and broken. I knew it was, Cried Tweedledum, Beginning to stamp about wildly and tear his hair. It's spoiled, Of course. Here he looked at Tweedledee, Who immediately sat down on the ground and tried to hide himself under the umbrella. Alice laid her hand upon his arm and said in a soothing tone, You needn't be so angry about an old rattle. But it isn't old, Tweedledum cried, In a greater fury than ever. It's new, I tell you. I bought it yesterday, My nice new rattle. And his voice rose to a perfect scream. All this time, Tweedledee was trying his best to fold up the umbrella with himself in it, Which was such an extraordinary thing to do, That it quite took off Alice's attention from the angry brother. But he couldn't quite succeed, And it ended in his rolling over, Bundled up in the umbrella with only his head out. And there he lay, Opening and shutting his mouth and his large eyes, Looking more like a fish than anything else, Alice thought. Of course, You agree to have a battle, Tweedledum said in a calmer tone. I suppose so, The other sulkily replied, As he crawled out of the umbrella. Only she must help us to dress up, You know. So the two brothers went off, Hand in hand, Into the wood, And returned in a minute with their arms full of things, Such as bolsters, Blankets, Hearth rugs, Tablecloths, Dish covers and coal scuffles. I hope you're a good hand at pinning and tying strings, Tweedledum remarked. Every one of these things has got to go on, Somehow or other. Alice said afterwards she had never seen such a fuss made about anything in all her life. The way those two bustled about, And the quantity of things they put on, And the trouble they gave her in tying strings and fastening buttons. Really, They'll be more like bundles of old clothes than anything else by the time they're ready, She said to herself, As she arranged a bolster around the neck of Tweedledee to keep his head from being cut off, As he said. You know, He added very gravely, It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle, To get one's head cut off. Alice laughed aloud, But she managed to turn it into a cough for fear of hurting his feelings. Do I look very pale, Said Tweedledum, Coming up to have his helmet tied on. He called it a helmet, Though it certainly looked much more like a saucepan. Well yes, A little, Alice replied gently. I'm very brave, Generally, He went on in a low voice, Only today I happen to have a headache, And I've got a toothache, Said Tweedledee, Who had overheard the remark. I'm far worse than you. Then you'd better not fight today, Said Alice, Thinking it a good opportunity to make peace. We must have a bit of a fight, But I don't care about going on long, Said Tweedledum, What's the time now? Tweedledee looked at his watch and said half past four. Let's fight till six and then have dinner, Said Tweedledum. Very well, The other said, Rather sadly, And she can watch us. Only you'd better not come very close, He added. I generally hit everything I can see when I get really excited. And I hit everything within reach, Cried Tweedledum, Whether I can see it or not. Alice laughed. You must hit the trees pretty often, I should think, She said. Tweedledum looked round him with a satisfied smile. I don't suppose, He said, There'll be a tree left standing for ever so far around by the time we've finished. And all about a rattle, Said Alice, Still hoping to make them a little ashamed of fighting over such a trifle. I shouldn't have minded it so much, Said Tweedledum, If it hadn't been a new one. I wish the monstrous crow would come, Thought Alice. There's only one sword you know, Tweedledum said to his brother, But you can have the umbrella, It's quite as sharp. Only we must begin quick, It's getting as dark as it can. And darker, Said Tweedledee. It was getting dark so suddenly that Alice thought there must be a thunderstorm coming on. What a thick black cloud that is, She said, And how fast it comes. Why, I do believe it's got wings. It's the crow, Tweedledum cried out in a shrill voice of alarm, And the two brothers took to their heels and were out of sight in a moment. Alice ran a little way into the wood and stopped under a large tree. It can never get at me here, She thought. It's far too large to squeeze itself in among the trees, But I wish it wouldn't flap its wings so. It makes quite a hurricane in the wood. Here's somebody's shawl being blown away. To be continued.