Caroline McAlister
  • Home
  • Books
    • John Ronald's Dragons
    • Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief
    • Holy Mole!
  • About
  • Blog
  • For Teachers
  • Contact

What Did Charles Dodgson (Aka Lewis Carroll) Have Against the Cricket Pitch?

7/29/2015

49 Comments

 
Picture
         In the early hours of the morning of May 22, 1867 Charles Dodgson worked feverishly on a one-hundred line poem that opposed the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford’s Decree of April 29 calling for the conversion of a park in North Oxford into a cricket pitch.  The poem he wrote is a parody of Oliver Goldsmith’s “The Deserted Village” (1770).  It should not surprise us that Dodgson framed his protest in this parodic form, but why did he care, what did he have against the sport of cricket, and what can we learn from this controversy about his conception of childhood?
             First of all, he laments the artificial levelling of the naturally rolling grounds of the park.                    

                 Adown thy glades, all sacrificed to cricket,

                  Thy hollow-sounding bat now guards the wicket;

                  Sunk are thy mounds in shapeless level all,

                  Lest aught impede the swiftly rolling ball;

                  And trembling, shrinking from the fatal blow,

                  Far, far away thy hapless children go.

           The destruction of this natural space has displaced its natural inhabitants, children.  In the romantic tradition, Dodgson identifies children here as a part of nature and as vulnerable to Victorian “progress.”

            But the children he describes are not privileged drawing room children like Alice Liddell, daughter of the Dean of Christ Church College, but “urchins.”   He deplores the loss of the “charms” belonging to,

                  The never-failing brawl, the busy mill

                  Where tiny urchins vied in fistic skill--

                  (Two phrases only have that dusky race

                  Caught from the learned influence of the place;

                 Phrases in their simplicity sublime,

                “Scramble a copper!” “Please, Sir, what’s the time?”)

                These round thy walks their cheerful influence shed;

                These were they charms—but all these charms are fled.

            A man of his age and an essentialist, Dodgson conflates race and class when he refers to the unwashed, coal smudged children as “that dusky race.”  But more importantly he idealizes the freedom of the brawling, fighting “urchins” whom he considers much closer to nature than the drawing room child.

 

Picture

          This idealization helps to explain why he photographed Alice barefoot dressed as a beggar. 
   
Picture
            Supervised by her governess, Miss Prickett, and shuffled between lessons and fittings by her ambitious mother, Alice could only pretend to be a child of nature.

            Of course it is deeply problematic to idealize and prettify childhood poverty, but Dodgson was on to something in opposing the overly structured lives of middle and upper class Victorian children.   In a letter to May Forshall, one of his child friends, he wrote: “Do you ever play at games?  Or is your idea of life “breakfast, lessons, dinner, lessons, tea, lessons, bed, lessons, breakfast, lessons,” and so on?  It is a very neat plan of life and almost as interesting as being a sewing machine or a coffee grinder.”  Just the word coffee grinder evokes images of Dickens’ Mr. Gradgrind stuffing facts down little childrens’ throats and destroying their imaginations.

            When he asks Miss Forshall if she plays at “games,” Dodgson does not mean exclusive, organized sports like cricket, which he associates with wealth and privilege.

                  Ill fares the place, to luxury a prey,

                  Where wealth accumulates, and minds decay;

                  Athletic sports may flourish or may fade,

                  Fashion may make them, even as it has made;

                  But the broad Parks, the city’s joy and pride,

                 When once destroyed can never be supplied!

                  Rather he means the kind of imaginative games that children invent on their own, games without “pavilions” and “scorers’ tents,” games without winners and losers, games without complicated and absurd rules.  

                  Dodgson was obsessed with childhood and children because they represented for him freedom from the oppressive constraints of Victorian life.  They represented freedom from finicky indoor spaces, freedom from ticking wristwatches, freedom from attention to manners and dress, and finally freedom from the burdens of his academic work.  
49 Comments
live ipl score ball by ball link
12/5/2016 06:35:06 pm

Rather he means the kind of imaginative games that children invent on their own, games without “pavilions” and “scorers’ tents,” games without winners and losers, games without complicated and absurd rules. http://cricfrog.com/

Reply
softball bats fastpitch link
11/7/2019 11:29:31 pm

Softball is a team game which includes a number of players that will take turn to bat and make runs to obtain a score. Specifically, this sport requires at least nine (9) players who will function as a pitcher, a catcher, three players as basemen, a shortstop and three outfielders

Reply
http://resume-writing-services.reviews/ link
2/24/2017 12:42:00 am

So many articles I have find about Charles Dodgson and the following ways are prepared against the cricket pitch. So we are interested to get more knowledge on these topics ant thank you very much.

Reply
aluminum Slowpitch Softball Bats link
8/6/2017 12:38:09 pm

Keep posting. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Cricket Prediction link
9/18/2017 10:05:45 am

great post i really like your work keep posting :)

Reply
vadim
9/24/2017 06:10:09 pm

ad1game . profit . verifycode: e99184590b0e6fbe9aefd47ed3c2d55d

Reply
Live Stream FIFA link
6/16/2018 05:43:28 pm

All FIFA matches details on: https://watchfifawc.com/fifa-world-cup-broadcasting-rights/

Reply
FIFA World Cup 2018 Streaming link
6/16/2018 05:44:48 pm

Watch FIFA World Cup 2018 live Online On all TV Channels world wide. For More info visit:
https://fifawc2018s.com/fifa-world-cup-highlights/
https://fifawc2018s.com/2018-fifa-world-cup-broadcasting-rights/

Reply
Fantasy cricket prediction link
9/15/2018 11:10:52 pm

Cricket match prediction for dream 11 matches . Do see here: www.fansreviews.in

Reply
download instagram stories link
1/7/2019 12:55:41 am

New users will come for the following your post. Thanks

Reply
popcorn time free link
3/8/2019 05:50:49 am

Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs much more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read much more, thanks for that info.

Reply
IPL 2019 All Match Predictions link
3/19/2019 12:12:51 pm

nice post

Reply
https://cbtfarnav.com/ link
5/13/2019 11:11:55 pm

Nice info!
Great share!
Useful post
Amazing write-up!
Nice Atricles. Keep it up. Thanks
2019 World Cup Today Match prediction
https://cbtfarnav.com/
Visit CBTFArnav.com !
Visit 2019 World Cup Match Prediction!

Reply
https://apkpassion.com/category/spotify/ link
8/5/2019 05:39:08 am

thanks for sharing.

spotify++ download, spotify premium apk, spotify no root.

Reply
sims 4 cheats link
5/15/2020 05:32:56 am

Thanks for sharing such a great and informative post. It's stimulating game allow you to stop sims and objects from become stuck or trapped, so there's a practical use too them

Reply
andy link
8/23/2020 07:29:51 am

Yup true informative. Click andy for more
https://bestwaterdamagerepairexpertslasvegashenderson.com/

Reply
Et20 Slam link
6/14/2020 09:06:55 am

I agree with his majority of his thoughts regarding cricket pitches.

Reply
Sports alerts link
8/22/2020 01:43:06 pm

Visit here https://todaykickoff.com/ for more

Reply
niels link
8/23/2020 06:43:39 am

Click niels to visit your fav article

Reply
janu link
8/23/2020 08:26:41 am

Visit janu for more
https://waterdamagerepaircleanupphoenix.com/

Reply
High Class Escort in Bangalore link
8/24/2020 07:22:18 pm

Some clients talk to them face to face, as they like to see their bright, alluring faces while talking. Some of them like to call over phone. They are educated, so they know how to talk about something, which is in a delicate position.

Reply
Lisa link
10/2/2021 07:15:57 am

Amazing and free thanks for sharing.

Reply
Chennai Escorts link
1/31/2022 02:19:39 am

As several companies have opened their offices here in this city of Chennai, there is a steady flow of workers starting from the newly graduated fresher buddies to workers of the labor class.

Reply
Delhi Escorts link
2/21/2022 04:48:17 am

protein loss and hair for some people coconut canvas structure in ways that other not suitable to which is why some people are amazing snappily when using coconut canvas for hair treatment have been used for Thousand Years the rate of salutary canvases and I had honey and magnesium and reason not used as an everyday product one also I can help you reduce flaking and itching in crown this is substantially because coconut canvas has amazing moisturizing parcels pura cogirlsol the canvas stashing from which is presumably the main cause for dandruff how to use Delhi Attendants Service

Reply
Sherry Mello link
6/27/2022 10:40:26 am

Nice article! Thanks for sharing this informative post. Keep posting!

Reply
Jayshree Sarna link
8/10/2022 09:45:08 am


What an awesome informative article! Thank you for sharing this helpful article. Looking forward for more informative one.

Reply
PaultheRummyBoy link
8/12/2022 01:37:41 am

Thank you for this excellent article. Appreciate it!

Reply
PaultheRummyBoy link
8/17/2022 02:56:38 am

Thank you for your thoughts on this. It will benefit me and, no doubt, some of the readers in the future. More power to you!

Reply
Carlito link
8/18/2022 12:27:18 am

Amazing essay, I must say! Reading your post at this time has been useful. Thank you and have a great day ahead!

Reply
Betjee link
9/7/2022 05:43:18 am

Thank you for sharing! This article is a must read for every person interested in <a href="https://betjee.com/af/A6PljyPv/" title="betting" alt="betting">betting</a> and wanted to expand their knowledge about the craft.

Reply
cabinet stores near me link
9/13/2022 06:31:39 pm

We improve our clients’ lives by enhancing their houses, giving them a place to relax, reconnect, and revitalize while feeling proud of their achievements and home. Stones and Cabinets City delights our customers and makes them proud of their houses by making the complex simple.

Reply
united global carrier link
9/13/2022 06:33:52 pm

We are keen on improving the quality of life for our drivers and their families by providing the best technology, higher pay, premium benefits, and ensuring efficient operations and load planning that lets them maximize their home life without sacrificing safety or income.

Reply
I-Cell Station REPAIR SOLUTIONS link
9/13/2022 06:36:14 pm

Knowledgeable and expert technicians at I-Cell Station identify your cell phone issues for free so that we can offer you the best possible solutions. We have expert-level solutions for all damaged cell phone devices, from screen replacements to charging ports and batteries, cameras speakers, back glass to motherboard level repairs.

Reply
bioidentical hormones near me link
9/13/2022 06:40:46 pm

Blogging refers to writing, photography, and other media that's self-published online. Blogging started as an opportunity for individuals to write diary-style entries, but it has since been incorporated into websites for many businesses.

Reply
SEO agency link
9/13/2022 06:43:02 pm

A Toronto based digital marketing agency with a passion for design.Business owners trust us to build & grow their online presence. We’re proud to help businesses in many industries be visible to their consumer.

Reply
weu Miths link
10/19/2022 11:48:54 am

Great article! Thank you for sharing this informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.
If you are looking for General Article and deals just visit www whitecannon com

Reply
khushi link
10/29/2022 12:02:54 pm

https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/gallery.php
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/escort-service-in-hebbal-bangalore.php
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/escort-service-in-KR-puram.php
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/escort-service-in-koramangala.php
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/escort-service-in-rajajinagar.php
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/escort-service-in-electronic-city.php
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/escort-service-in-yashwantpur.php
https://www.escortserviceinbanglore.com/call-girl-in-bangalore.php

Reply
Riya Rai link
10/29/2022 01:19:25 pm

https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-gallery.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/high-profile-escorts.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-banjara-hills.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-jubilee-hills.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-visakhapatnam.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-secunderabad.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-hitech-city.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-somajiguda.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-shamshabad.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-gachibowli.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-ameerpet.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-kondapur.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-begumpet.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-madhapur.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-film-nagar.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-kachiguda.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-lakdikapool.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-kukatpally.php
https://www.escortagencyhyderabad.com/escorts-in-lb-nagar.php

Book experience Jaipur Call Girls get your complete satisfaction

Reply
Payal singh link
10/29/2022 02:27:54 pm

https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/call-girl-service-in-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-banjara-hills.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-jubilee-hills.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-koti-hills.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-charminar-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-shamshabad-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-secunderabad-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-gachibowli-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-hitech-city-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-lakdikapool-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-kondapur-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-kachiguda-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-nampally-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-film-nagar-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-ameerpet-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-begumpet-hyderabad.php
https://www.escortservicesinhyderabad.com/escort-call-girls-service-in-madhapur-hyderabad.php

Reply
Priti Mahajan link
10/31/2022 04:02:25 am

https://www.pritimahajan.com/
https://www.pritimahajan.com/escort-gallery.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/blog/
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-roorkee.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-rudrapur.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-haridwar.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-rishikesh.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-mussoorie.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-haldwani.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-ranikhet.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-dhanaulti.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-in-isbt.php
https://www.pritimahajan.com/call-girls-and-escorts.php

Reply
Riya Mahajan link
10/31/2022 04:58:00 am

https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/gallery.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-madhapur.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-hitec-city.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-kondapur.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-manikonda.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-qcity.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-kukatpally.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-miyapur.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-flimnagar.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-financial-district.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-somajiguda.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-ameerpet.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-begumpet.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-secunderabad.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-banjara-hills.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-jubilee-hills.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-kaveri-hills.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-lakdikapul.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-lb-nagar.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-shamshabad.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/escort-service-in-mehdipatnam.php
https://callgirlsofhyderabad.com/hotel-services.php



Reply
Ludhiana call girl service link
12/10/2022 06:44:50 am

The best alternative to the rest is Aliya sen for those in an unusual state that is not exposed, confident, hot fiery, hot, and other top offices.
https://www.aliyasen.in
https://www.ludhianacallgirls.in
https://www.shania.co.in
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-chandigarh.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-jalandhar.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-amritsar.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-panchkula.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-zirakpur.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-mohali.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-khanna.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-phagwara.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-patiala.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-malerkotla.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-dhuri.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-bathinda.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-moga.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-rajpura.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-sirhind.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-sangrur.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-barnala.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-hoshiarpur.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-faridkot.html
https://www.aliyasen.in/call-girls-in-firozpur.html

Reply
hyderabadcompanion link
2/4/2023 06:46:07 am

They like to meet new people daily and get attached with them as our Escorts provide unstoppable facility and service which make you feel delightful and you always feel glad to have such hot sizzling babes as your love charms. If you plan to take them out of the station then go for it as they are totally party freak and like to for the Clubs, events or any trip with you where you can see the babes are providing the best amenities to you which can change your mood and they show you every sexual drive which you expected from your earlier escorts from their service. They are always ready to stand in your good or bad times and in fact if you are frustrated from your life then come as our agency is well known for such people who never did their lovemaking session with any models and now looking for hot Celebrity Escorts in Hyderabad to fulfill their need. You always see our High profile Celebrity Escorts can create perfect environment for you so you never feel shy. Call now or visit here to make your day memorable
https://www.hyderabadcompanion.com/

Reply
janvi jain link
2/6/2023 04:43:56 am

Most likely, your spouse won't be trusting enough to indulge all of your desires. Our escort females won't deter you, though, if you want to go naughty and wild on the bed. They are aware of the best ways to please their customers and guide them to success while enjoying cosy moments with <a href="https://www.delhinight.in/escorts-service-in-chanakyapuri/">escorts service in chanakyapuri</a>.

<a href="https://www.delhinight.in/">Escort Services in Delhi</a><a href="https://www.delhinight.in/escorts-service-in-chanakyapuri/">call girls in chanakyapuri</a>
<a href="https://www.delhinight.in/escorts-service-in-chanakyapuri/">chanakyapuri escorts</a>

<a href="https://guides.co/g/know-how-to-spend/260470">Call Girls In Aerocity</a>
<a href="https://www.storeboard.com/blogs/business/get-the-maximum-pleasure-and-satisfaction-with-call-girls-in-connaught-place/5558034">Call Girls in Connaught Place</a>
<a href="https://www.palup.com/read-blog/16215">Escort Services in Delhi</a>
<a href="https://eyeball.blog/read-blog/11386">Call Girls In Aerocity</a>
<a href="https://dokuwiki.stream/wiki/User:Delhinight78">Call Girls In Vasant Kunj</a>
<a href="https://gitlab.com/delhiinight78/get-extreme-pleasure-with-call-girls-in-aerocity/-/wikis/Get-Extreme-Pleasure-With-Call-Girls-In-Aerocity">Call Girls In Aerocity</a>
<a href="https://www.forum4gamblers.com/members/delhinight/">Escort Services in Delhi</a>
<a href="https://expressionsme.com/post/satisfy-your-sexual-needs-with-call-girl-in-mahipalpur-63bff4b92b0f5a6e3cdc91e6">Call Girl In Mahipalpur</a>
<a href="https://blogup.in/read-blog/8103">escorts services connaught place</a>
<a href="https://everyonezone.com/read-blog/212223">Escort Services in Delhi</a>

Reply
Ludhiana Escort link
3/12/2023 01:42:38 pm

My Self Simmi Pradhan, It’s amazing to go to see this web page and reading the views of all friends about this paragraph, while I am also keen of getting know-how.

Reply
Ludhiana Escorts link
3/12/2023 01:43:19 pm

I am regular visitor to your blog. This piece of writing posted at this site is truly pleasant.

Reply
Escorts in Ludhiana link
3/12/2023 01:43:45 pm

Hey Admin! I really love your writing very much! share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your article

Reply
Ludhiana Call Girls link
3/12/2023 01:44:22 pm

Nice work! This is the type of info that should be shared across the net. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thanks =)

Reply
Ludhiana Escort Service link
3/12/2023 01:44:47 pm

I Love this one & I’ve been following your blog, Keep up the good job!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Caroline McAlister

    Caroline is an avid reader, children's writer, and teacher. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and dog. Check out her bio for more!

    Archives

    December 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015

    Categories

    All
    Abingdon
    Adam Gidwitz
    Alberto Manguel
    Alice Medinger
    Antonio Iturbe
    A Secret Vice
    Book Review
    Book Trailer
    Boo Review
    Caucus Race
    Childhood
    Class
    C.S. Lewis
    Dita Kraus
    Elections
    Eliza Wheeler
    Emily Jenkins
    Every Campus A Refuge
    Fantasy Writers
    Game Theory
    G. B. Smith
    Historical
    Hobbit Food
    Holocaust
    JRR Tolkien
    Katherine Rundell
    Ken Jennings
    King Edward's School
    La Belle Sauvage
    Lewis Carroll
    Libraries
    Lilit Thwaites
    Maphead
    Maps
    Middle Grade Fiction
    Nerds
    News
    Noel
    Our Lady's School
    Oxford
    Philip Seargeant
    Picture Books
    Quenya
    Rachel Bachman
    Refugees
    Robert Gilson
    Rooftoppers
    Scuppernong's
    Similes
    Sindarin
    TCBS
    Tennis
    Tennis Seeding
    The Art Of The Lord Of The Rings
    The Chronicles Of Narnia
    The Hobbit
    The Inquisitor's Tale
    The Kilns
    The Librarian Of Auschwitz
    The Shadow Man
    Thror's Map
    Tolkien
    Tolkien Reading Day
    Tolkien's Letters
    Tolkien's Lost Poems
    Tolkien's Poetry
    Tournament Brackets
    Victorian England
    Warren Hamilton Lewis
    World War 1
    Writing Process
    Writing Technology
    WWII

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly