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The Barrister's Dream

From The Hunting of the Snark, by Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll published The Hunting of the Snark in 1876, a long nonsense poem in eight parts. Carroll is best known for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This dream is the seventh 'fit' (or chapter) of the poem, retold as a story. The Barrister is a type of lawyer. In his dream, he sees a Snark—an imaginary creature the crew has been hunting—dressed as a lawyer and defending a pig in a topsy-turvy trial where nothing makes sense. Carroll loved wordplay, logic puzzles, and absurd situations. This dream shows a courtroom where all the rules are broken and everyone is confused. It is funny because it is so ridiculous, and it reminds us that dreams can be very strange indeed. This text reflects its era.

Band

Yellow · Emerging readersTypical starting range: ages 6–8

Length

medium · about 520 words in 6 sections · 4 pictures

Source

The Hunting of the Snark: An Agony in Eight Fits, Lewis Carroll

First published

1876

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (8 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Colouring page
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

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