The Mad Hatter's Riddle

**Rik** · 11 February 2014, 11:18 PM

Looks to me like the Raven wants the feather back!

What a great drawing, Maya.

**Crow Haven** · 12 February 2014, 12:11 AM

I think you're right about him wanting his feather back, Rik. I'm glad you like this! Thanks so much!

**SCALEBACK666** · 12 February 2014, 10:35 PM

I had a feeling that Tim Burton had something to do with it (America McGee's version of Alice in Wonderland is a lot more disturbing) but just why is a raven like a writing desk?

**wizard509** · 13 February 2014, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by SCALEBACK666

just why is a raven like a writing desk?

I wondered the same thing.

**Crow Haven** · 13 February 2014, 11:57 PM

It does sound like a Tim Burton concoction...so...
WHY is a raven like a writing desk? That's tricky to answer. If it had been asked HOW is a raven like a writing desk, then my quess is because they both contain inky black quills. The Hatter answers that he hasn't the slightest idea...and maybe in Wonderland such things just are.

**zaphodeist** · 14 February 2014, 01:38 AM

Alice is in part a child struggling to understand the adult world, the riddle has no answer so Alice - who is good at riddles and wants to join in - learns about how unfair adults can be. She learns this a lot!

Carrol in a forward to a later edition answers "“Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end in front!” [NB the spelling] if that helps any

Personally I think the answer to "Why...." is "the raven wants to be". But that's just me ;-)

**Crow Haven** · 14 February 2014, 02:14 AM

Thanks for the great information, zaphodeist! It helps a lot, actually. I think I like your reason, that the raven just wants to be like the writing desk, best.