Acrostic

Little maidens, when you look
On this little story-book,
Reading with attentive eye
Its enticing history,
Never think that hours of play
Are your only HOLIDAY,
And that in a HOUSE of joy
Lessons serve but to annoy:
If in any HOUSE you find
Children of a gentle mind,
Each the others pleasing ever—
Each the others vexing never—
Daily work and pastime daily
In their order taking gaily—
Then be very sure that they
Have a life of HOLIDAY.

for Lorrina, Alice, and Edith Liddell
Christmas 1861 © by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes

Analysis (ai): "Acrostic" is a didactic poem by Lewis Carroll that uses an acrostic format to convey a message about the importance of education and the value of a happy home environment. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, using clear and concise language. It is written in iambic tetrameter and uses a rhyme scheme of ABAB. In terms of comparison to Carroll's other works, "Acrostic" is less whimsical and nonsensical than his more famous poems, such as "Jabberwocky" and "The Walrus and the Carpenter." However, it does share some similarities with Carroll's other works, such as its use of wordplay and its focus on childhood and imagination. In terms of the time period, "Acrostic" reflects the Victorian era's emphasis on education and moral instruction for children. It also reflects the era's belief in the importance of a happy and stable home environment for children's development. (hide)

Like (7) 3 Good work I enjoyed Lovely post Like (7)

Likes: LadyFate, Padma Bhaskaran, Colorless, Mindynewton2, Willem Crane Dell, Tosin Atoyebi, Mjeans, Toonishbean, Taya D. Hastings

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Older comments

Padma Bhaskaran - A nice piece of advice to children.

on Oct 01 2023 10:43 PM PST x edit

Mjeans - I like this poem. I talks about the three sisters and how their house is calm like being on holiday. -Harris

on May 04 2020 10:39 AM PST x edit

I-Like-Rhymes - I agree it is pure conjecture on my part but Carroll did know and was friends with Holiday long before he commissioned him for the illustrations. Holiday was working in and around Oxford in the early 60s.
http://lewiscarrollsociety.org.uk/pages/aboutcharlesdodgson/works/illustrators.html this refers to their early meeting and friendship but, tantalisingly, gives no precise dates.
Jim

on Nov 30 2010 09:22 PM PST x edit

Morag - It occurs to me that Christ Church, Carroll's college at Oxford, was known as 'the House' because its Latin name means 'house of Christ'. However, Sylvie and Bruno wasn't published until 1889, so I'm not sure Carroll would have been referring to Henry Holiday in 1861.

on Nov 30 2010 08:52 AM PST x edit

I-Like-Rhymes - I do not know Carroll's reasons but my conjectur is that this is possibly to stress his post as "Master of the House" and sub-librarian at Oxford and to reference Henry Holiday, the illustrator of Svlvie and Bruno. This fits in with his plays on words.
Jim

on Nov 29 2010 09:34 PM PST x edit

Morag - The three Liddell children were the ones to whom Dodson originally told the story of Alice in Wonderland. Reading down the first letters of the lines gives the three names.

Does anyone know why 'house' and 'holiday' are in capitals? There must be a reason.

on Nov 29 2010 07:27 AM PST x edit

Taya D. Hastings - I see that you asked this question YEARS ago, but for anyone else wondering the same thing - it's because he hid a copy of this poem into the pages of Catherine Sinclair's book "Holiday House" and gave it to the Liddell girls for Christmas. :-)

on Jan 28 2023 10:41 AM PST x edit

Comments from the archive

Flaming Rose - Very Strong piece of write. Encouraging read.
A lovely sense of home life during the holidays.
Remembering my childhood. The most peaceful time was during holidays and vacations. This Poet seems to capture the sense of why we take a break out of our daily working life to enjoy these times of the year. Lovely write

on Jan 30 2007 05:44 AM PST x edit