Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland gifted the world many enduring puzzles, but perhaps none so delightfully perplexing as the Mad Hatter’s riddle: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Initially posed without an answer in sight, this whimsical question has intrigued and baffled readers for generations. While Carroll himself later confessed it was intended to be a riddle without an answer, the enduring curiosity of literary minds has conjured up a myriad of imaginative solutions. Let’s delve into some of the most creative and humorous attempts to bridge the gap between these seemingly disparate objects.
The original intent, or lack thereof, from Lewis Carroll, hasn’t stopped people from crafting ingenious connections. One popular, albeit playfully conceded, answer attributed to Carroll himself suggests: “Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end first!” This witty response plays on the double meaning of “notes,” referencing both musical notes and written notes, and incorporates a touch of Carroll’s signature nonsense.
Beyond Carroll’s own playful deflection, readers have enthusiastically embraced the challenge, offering a diverse range of interpretations. Consider this clever observation from Jennifer Rathbone in Toronto: “Because it can produce a few notes. Particularly if its name is Lewis Carroll.” This answer ingeniously links the riddle to its creator, suggesting the raven, like Carroll at his writing desk, can produce literary “notes.”
Expanding on the theme of writing implements, Noel Bird from Queensland, Australia, proposes a more metaphorical answer: “The answer lies in the quill: both may be penned, but they can never truly be captive.” This response beautifully connects ravens and writing desks through the historical use of raven quills as pens, while also adding a layer of poetic depth about freedom and expression.
Humorously diverging into shared characteristics, Stephen Saunders from Canberra, Australia, offers a whimsical comparison: “Ravens and writing desks are both highly intelligent, found in a wide range of habitats, will eat almost anything and like playing tricks on humans.” This answer, though clearly tongue-in-cheek, playfully highlights unexpected commonalities with a touch of anthropomorphic charm.
David Tucker from Halle, Germany, brings a touch of financial humor to the riddle with: “Because outstanding bills are found on both of them.” This answer cleverly plays on the mundane reality of bills often piling up on desks, drawing a humorous parallel to the less conventional image of bills on a raven.
For those with a linguistic flair, Gillian Shenfield from Sydney, Australia, provides a wordplay-centric answer: “Because in French all the letters in bureau are contained in corbeau.” This answer, while requiring a knowledge of French, showcases a clever linguistic connection between “bureau” (writing desk) and “corbeau” (raven).
Joan Dawson from Halifax, Canada, delves into literary association, suggesting: “The Mad Hatter didn’t know, but perhaps The Raven came into Edgar Allan Poe’s mind while he was sitting at his writing desk.” This answer playfully links Carroll’s riddle to Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven,” creating a literary bridge between two iconic works.
Ursula Nixon from New South Wales, Australia, circles back to a tangible connection: “They have quills in common – and black, if the desk is crafted from ebony.” This response highlights the shared element of quills and the potential for both ravens and desks to be black, offering a more concrete, albeit slightly literal, interpretation.
Finally, David Isaacs from Sydney, Australia, offers a meta-commentary on the riddle itself: “If you look up this riddle on the internet you will find that it is a riddle without an answer. You will also find that a lot of people have tried with spectacular lack of success to say funny or intelligent things about it. I have just added to the number.” This self-aware answer acknowledges the riddle’s inherent absurdity and the ongoing, often humorous, quest for solutions.
In conclusion, the enduring appeal of “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” lies not in finding a definitive answer, but in the creative journey it inspires. As these diverse and witty responses demonstrate, the riddle serves as a blank canvas for wordplay, imaginative leaps, and a celebration of the absurd. Perhaps the true answer is simply the joy of the question itself, and the endless possibilities it unlocks within our minds. What’s your take on this timeless riddle?
