My favorite chapter in Alice and Wonderland

My favorite chapter in Alice and Wonderland is the first chapter, because it contains the Jabberwocky poem. I am infatuated with this poem, because the image of the Jabberwocky has been imprinted into my brain since early childhood. I remember watching some version of Alice and Wonderland that I think my parents recorded on tv. Anyway, I loved the show - but I knew enough to hide behind the couch when the Jabberwocky came on. The image of the monster, inspired by John Tenniel's illustration I'm sure, scared the shit out of me. If I was unlucky enough to have the scene with the monster sneak up on me I would be tormented by vivid nightmares for a few days. What can be imprinted on a child brain is incredible. Now in this class, it is interesting to compare my initial conception of the Jabberwocky on the tv with the poem itself in context with Alice and Wonderland. It is an amazingly unique poem with an alarming combination of silly words and portmanteaus while maintaining a dark and mysterious feeling.

(Several words from this poem such as gallumphing a combination of galloping and triumphing and chortled a combination of chuckle and snort are still used in the English language today.)

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought—

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"

He chortled in his joy.'

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.