Why Is A Raven Like A Writing Desk Answer

Why Is a Raven Like a Writing Desk? Unraveling Lewis Carroll's Unsolvable Riddle

The riddle "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" famously posed by the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has plagued readers for generations. There's no single, definitive answer, a fact that contributes to its enduring appeal and perfectly encapsulates the nonsensical nature of the book. This article delves into the various interpretations and theories surrounding this enduring literary puzzle, exploring its meaning and enduring legacy.

The Enigma of the Unsolvable: The beauty of this riddle lies in its inherent unsolvability. Carroll intentionally crafted it to be illogical, highlighting the whimsical and absurd world of Wonderland. The lack of a logical connection between a raven (a large, black bird) and a writing desk (a piece of furniture) is precisely the point. It's a playful rejection of conventional logic and reason.

Possible Interpretations (or Lack Thereof): Many attempts have been made to find a "solution," but they often rely on stretching the meaning of words or forcing connections that don't exist naturally. Some suggested answers play on puns or word sounds:

• Poe's connection: Some argue a connection to Edgar Allan Poe, famed for his poem "The Raven." The tenuous link is the association of both with writing and a dark, mysterious nature. However, this is a highly speculative connection.
• Sound-based interpretations: Others focus on the similar sounds of certain words, such as the rhyming of "raven" with "nevermore," from Poe's poem, or trying to find phonetic similarities between words related to ravens and writing desks. These are largely arbitrary.
• The Absurdity as the Answer: Ultimately, the most plausible "answer" is that there isn't one. The riddle's purpose is not to be solved but to highlight the nonsensical nature of Wonderland and the unpredictable logic (or lack thereof) governing its inhabitants.

The Riddle's Significance in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: The riddle serves several important functions within the novel:

• Establishing the tone: It sets the tone for the rest of the Mad Hatter's tea party, which is characterized by its illogical conversations and nonsensical events.
• Highlighting the absurdity of Wonderland: It perfectly captures the absurd and illogical nature of Wonderland, a place where logic and reason do not always apply.
• Challenging the reader: It challenges the reader to think outside the box and accept the inherent ambiguity and lack of clear answers.

The Enduring Legacy: The riddle's enduring popularity stems from its ability to spark discussion and debate. It's a testament to Carroll's clever wordplay and his ability to create a world where the impossible becomes possible and logic takes a backseat to imagination. The very act of trying to solve the riddle, and failing, becomes part of the experience.

Conclusion: The riddle "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" remains one of literature's most enduring and puzzling enigmas. Its beauty lies not in a concrete answer but in its playful subversion of logic and its contribution to the overall whimsical tone of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The lack of a solution is the solution, a testament to Lewis Carroll's genius. It continues to inspire countless interpretations, proving that sometimes, the most satisfying answer is the absence of one.