This question, “Why Is A Raven Like A Writing Desk?” has puzzled and intrigued readers for over a century. Immortalized in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, it’s a riddle that has no definitive answer, yet continues to spark debate and creative interpretations. Let’s delve into the origins of this whimsical conundrum, explore Carroll’s intent, and examine some of the many humorous attempts to solve the unsolvable.
In Chapter Six of Alice in Wonderland, titled “Pig and Pepper,” Alice attends a chaotic tea party hosted by the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the Dormouse. In a moment of apparent non-sequitur, the Hatter poses the now-famous question: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Alice, along with generations of readers since, is left bewildered.
The beauty, and perhaps the frustration, of this riddle lies in its intended lack of a solution. As the original text reveals, when Alice gives up and asks for the answer, the Hatter famously replies, “I haven’t the slightest idea,” with the March Hare echoing, “Nor I.” Carroll himself highlighted the riddle’s answerless nature, emphasizing the humor in the absurdity. Alice’s weary sigh and remark, “I think you might do something better with the time, than wasting it in asking riddles that have no answers,” perfectly encapsulates the intended joke. The humor derives not from a clever solution, but from the nonsensical nature of the question itself.
However, the enduring appeal of “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” has led many to attempt to find answers, much to Lewis Carroll’s apparent bemusement. In the preface to the 1896 edition of Alice in Wonderland, Carroll addressed the persistent inquiries about a solution. He offered a whimsical “afterthought” answer: “Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end in front!” Even this attempt, Carroll clarified, was a mere afterthought, reinforcing that the riddle was originally designed without any intended solution. The word “nevar,” a reversed spelling of “raven,” was a playful touch, though it was unfortunately changed to “never” by proofreaders, diluting Carroll’s intended wordplay.
Despite Carroll’s insistence on the riddle’s lack of answer, and even his tongue-in-cheek attempt, people have continued to propose their own solutions, showcasing the riddle’s power to ignite creative thinking. Literary scholar Martin Gardner, in his Annotated Alice books, compiled some of the more notable attempts:
- Sam Loyd (puzzle maven, 1914): “Because the notes for which they are noted are not noted for being musical notes.” This answer plays on the word “notes,” referring to both written notes and musical notes, connecting the raven’s caw and the writing desk’s purpose.
- Sam Loyd (again): “Because Poe wrote on both.” This answer references Edgar Allan Poe, famous for his poem “The Raven,” and writers in general who use writing desks. It’s a clever, literary connection.
- Aldous Huxley (writer, 1928): “Because there is a B in both and an N in neither.” This is a more abstract, wordplay-focused answer, pointing to shared and absent letters in the words “raven” and “writing desk.”
- Cyril Pearson (unidentified): “Because it slopes with a flap.” This answer is more obscure and possibly refers to the sloped top of some writing desks and a raven’s wing.
These varied attempts, from pun-based to literary and abstract, demonstrate the riddle’s versatility and the subjective nature of humor and interpretation. Ultimately, perhaps the “real answer,” as humorously suggested, is that both ravens and writing desks can “baffle the billions,” highlighting the enduring mystique and open-ended nature of Carroll’s creation.
The riddle’s charm also lies in its ability to resonate with different interpretations across time. Consider this reader’s insightful suggestion regarding the tools of Carroll’s era: “Because they both come with inky quills.” This answer brings a historical context, referencing quill pens, which were common writing tools and could be associated with both ravens (through their feathers) and writing desks (where inkwells were placed).
Another reader recalled a simpler, almost childlike solution: “Because you cannot ride either one of them like a bicycle.” This answer, while seemingly absurd, highlights the riddle’s open-endedness. It’s as valid as any other answer because the riddle, by design, lacks a definitive one.
In conclusion, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” remains a literary enigma. It is not meant to be solved in a traditional sense, but rather to be pondered, to spark creativity, and to appreciate the absurdity and wordplay inherent in Lewis Carroll’s whimsical world. The true humor lies in the question itself and the endless, imaginative attempts to answer the unanswerable. So, the next time you encounter this famous riddle, remember that there’s no right answer – and that’s precisely the point.
