Jabberwocky: Symbols

Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

The Jabberwock

The Jabberwock is the fantastical monster referenced in the poem’s title, and which the poem’s protagonist tracks down and slays. As the poem’s central foe, the Jabberwock represents an evil force that must be defeated for good to prevail. The poem itself offers very little context for understanding the nature of the Jabberwock’s threat. The initial depiction of the creature comes from the father’s speech to his son: “Beware the Jabberwock, my son! / The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!” (lines 5–6). Later, when the Jabberwock appears in the flesh, we also learn of its terrifying “eyes of flame” (line 14). Even with so few details, the Jabberwock bears a significant resemblance to other monsters in the English heroic tradition. Perhaps most relevant reference point comes from the Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf. In that poem, the title hero initially makes a name for himself by slaying a fell creature called Grendel. Like the Jabberwock, Grendel is all jaws and claws. Furthermore, Grendel allegedly descended from Cain, the treacherous figure from the Old Testament who murdered his brother, Abel. Grendel is definitely evil, and it makes sense to think of the Jabberwock as a similar avatar of wickedness.

The Vorpal Sword

The mysterious weapon the boy hero of “Jabberwocky” uses to slay his foe is known only as “the vorpal sword.” If you look up “vorpal” in the dictionary, you will find that, like many other words in the poem, Carroll made it up. From context, it would be reasonable to assume that “vorpal” means something like “deadly.” Alternatively, it could reference something from the poem’s fantasy world. Perhaps this sword has been forged with a fantastical form of metal known as “vorp,” or maybe it wields a particular kind of “vorpal” magic. We don’t really know. Even so, the vorpal blade is clearly the object that makes the unassuming boy into a hero. That is, it’s a totemic object, fitting only for those heroic warriors of great strength and courage. As a symbol of heroism, then, the vorpal sword references other notable weapons from the European tradition or heroic narrative. For instance, the great hero of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf used his trusty sword, known as Hrunting, to slay many monstrous foes. Likewise, King Arthur had a legendary sword, Excalibur, which was forged in another world and enabled him to wield power in the best interests of the people he ruled.