The Crocodile / Lewis Carroll

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Beneath the waters, blue and bright, / 푸르고 밝은 물 밑에는,
When the sun shines warm and clear, / 해가 따뜻하고 맑게 비칠 때,
Are animals of such delight, / 그토록 즐거운 동물들과,
And wonders without number here. / 셀 수 없는 경이로움이 이곳에 있네.

Beneath the waters, blue and bright, / 푸르고 밝은 물 밑에는,
The little fishes glide along; / 작은 물고기들이 미끄러지듯 헤엄치네;
They have no thoughts of any blight, / 그들에게는 어떤 재앙의 생각도 없고,
But only sing a tuneful song. / 오직 아름다운 노래를 부를 뿐.

Beneath the waters, blue and bright, / 푸르고 밝은 물 밑에는,
The merry little crabs do crawl; / 즐거운 작은 게들이 기어 다니네;
They have no quarrel, rage, or spite, / 그들에게는 다툼도, 분노도, 악의도 없고,
But feast upon the seaweed all. / 오직 해초를 마음껏 먹을 뿐.

Beneath the waters, blue and bright, / 푸르고 밝은 물 밑에는,
The clumsy porpoises will play; / 어설픈 돌고래들이 놀고 있네;
They chase each other in delight, / 그들은 기쁨 속에서 서로 쫓고,
And bubble all the livelong day. / 온종일 거품을 만들어내네.

Beneath the waters, blue and bright, / 푸르고 밝은 물 밑에는,
While scaly dragons lurk and creep, / 비늘 달린 용들이 숨어 기어 다니고,
And horrid monsters take their flight / 끔찍한 괴물들이 날갯짓하여
Into the dark and slimy deep. / 어둡고 끈적거리는 심해로 들어가네.

You think, perchance, that I could tell / 어쩌면 당신은 내가 말할 수 있다고 생각하겠지
Of all the wonders that I know? / 내가 아는 모든 경이로움에 대해?
And if I could, would that be well? / 그리고 내가 말할 수 있다면, 그것이 좋을까?
Nay, children, nay! forbear to go / 아니, 아이들아, 아니! 가지 않도록 조심하렴

Beneath the waters, blue and bright, / 푸르고 밝은 물 밑에는,
Where cruel crocodiles may grin; / 잔인한 악어들이 씩 웃을지도 모르는 곳에;
They wait for any silly wight / 그들은 어리석은 자가
To venture in. / 감히 들어오기를 기다리네.

And in they snap him, jaws and claws; / 그리고 그들은 턱과 발톱으로 그를 덥석 물고;
And off they swim with man and boy, / 남자아이와 함께 헤엄쳐 가 버리네,
And never are they seen because / 그리고 다시는 보이지 않는데, 왜냐하면
They’re eating them down in joy. / 그들은 기쁨 속에서 그들을 먹고 있기 때문이지.

Talking About The Crocodile

Study Guide: "The Crocodile" by Lewis Carroll

This study guide is designed to help you review and deepen your understanding of Lewis Carroll's poem, "The Crocodile."

I. Quiz: Short Answer Questions

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

1. What is the primary setting described at the beginning of the poem, and what general feeling does it initially evoke?
2. Name three types of benign creatures initially described as living "Beneath the waters, blue and bright."
3. How do the little fish behave, and what does this suggest about their existence?
4. What is notable about the behavior of the merry little crabs, and what do they primarily do?
5. What shift in tone or imagery occurs after the descriptions of the porpoises?
6. What specific creatures introduce a sense of danger into the underwater setting?
7. How does the speaker directly address the reader in the later stanzas, and what warning is given?
8. What is the ultimate fate of those who "venture in" where the cruel crocodiles are?
9. According to the poem, why are the victims of the crocodiles never seen again?
10. What is the overarching message or theme conveyed by the poem regarding the beauty and danger of the described environment?

II. Quiz Answer Key

1. The primary setting is "Beneath the waters, blue and bright," particularly when the sun shines warm and clear. It initially evokes a feeling of delight, wonder, and peacefulness with its descriptions of happy, carefree animals.
2. The poem initially describes "little fishes," "merry little crabs," and "clumsy porpoises" as living beneath the waters. These creatures are portrayed as joyful and unburdened by conflict.
3. The little fish "glide along" and "only sing a tuneful song," having "no thoughts of any blight." This suggests a state of innocent bliss and harmony, devoid of worry or harm.
4. The merry little crabs "do crawl" and "have no quarrel, rage, or spite." They primarily "feast upon the seaweed all," indicating a simple, contented existence without conflict.
5. After the playful porpoises, the tone shifts dramatically with the introduction of "scaly dragons" and "horrid monsters." This signals a turn from idyllic descriptions to more sinister and dangerous imagery.
6. "Scaly dragons" and "horrid monsters" are the specific creatures that introduce a sense of lurking danger into the underwater setting. These beings are described as hiding and taking flight into the "dark and slimy deep."
7. The speaker directly addresses the reader with phrases like "You think, perchance," and "Nay, children, nay!" The warning given is to "forbear to go / Beneath the waters, blue and bright," specifically where cruel crocodiles reside.
8. Those who "venture in" where the cruel crocodiles are met with a swift and brutal fate: the crocodiles "snap him, jaws and claws," and then swim away with their victims.
9. The victims are never seen again "because / They’re eating them down in joy." This chilling line explains their disappearance and emphasizes the predatory nature of the crocodiles.
10. The overarching message is that even in seemingly beautiful and delightful environments, hidden dangers can lurk. The poem serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the contrast between superficial charm and underlying menace.

III. Essay Format Questions

1. Analyze the contrasting imagery and tone used in "The Crocodile." How does Carroll establish an initial sense of wonder and delight, and how does he then subvert this to introduce themes of danger and fear?
2. Discuss the role of the speaker in "The Crocodile." How does the speaker's shift from descriptive narration to direct address influence the reader's understanding and emotional response to the poem's message?
3. Explore the thematic implications of "Beneath the waters, blue and bright." How does this recurring phrase evolve in meaning throughout the poem, from a place of innocence to one of peril?
4. Consider "The Crocodile" as a cautionary tale. What specific literary devices does Lewis Carroll employ to create a sense of foreboding and to warn the reader about hidden dangers?
5. Compare and contrast the portrayal of the initial underwater creatures (fish, crabs, porpoises) with the later introduction of "scaly dragons," "horrid monsters," and "cruel crocodiles." What does this progression reveal about the poem's underlying message about nature?

IV. Glossary of Key Terms

• Blight: A thing that spoils or destroys something; a disease or affliction. In the poem, it refers to something that would spoil the fish's carefree existence.
• Forbear: To refrain from doing something; to hold back. The speaker uses this to advise the children not to go into the dangerous waters.
• Grin: To smile broadly, often indicating pleasure or amusement, but in the context of the crocodile, it implies a sinister or menacing expression.
• Lurk: To remain hidden, especially with sinister or malicious intent. Describes the scaly dragons.
• Nay: An archaic or literary term for "no." Used by the speaker to strongly dissuade the children.
• Perchance: Perhaps; possibly. Used by the speaker to acknowledge a potential thought the reader might have.
• Porpoises: Small toothed whales, related to dolphins, known for their playful behavior.
• Scaly dragons: Mythical, reptilian creatures with scales; in the poem, they represent a dangerous presence in the deep.
• Slimey: Covered in or resembling slimy, sticky mud or a viscous, slippery substance. Used to describe the deep, emphasizing its unpleasantness and obscurity.
• Spite: A desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone. The crabs are described as not having this.
• Tuneful: Having a pleasant melody or a harmonious sound. Describes the song of the little fish.
• Venture: To dare to go or move to a dangerous or unfamiliar place or situation. Refers to the act of entering the crocodiles' domain.
• Wight: An archaic or literary term for a person or creature. Used by the crocodiles in reference to a "silly wight" who might enter their territory.

( N.B. 위 콘텐츠는 Google AI Studio 로 제작한 것입니다 )