CHAPTER 10 THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE
Summary by Caro

The Gryphon began to explain what a Lobster Quadrille was. He told Alice that you would first had to form a line along the sea shore and then was corrected by the Mock Turtle saying that it was two. You would advance twice with a lobster as a partner, change lobsters and retire in the same order, then you would throw the lobster as far out to the seas as you could swimming after it. Turn a somersault in the sea and back to the land again.

Alice thought that it must be a very pretty dance to which the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon asked her if she would like to see it and they began solemnly dancing around and around Alice singing. As they finished Alice thanked them and told them her story of how she had followed the White Rabbit and her adventures. The Mock Turtle then sang ‘Turtle Soup’ choking with its own sobs and while waiting for the chorus they heard someone yell “The trial’s beginning!” and the Gryphon took Alice by the hand and left. Not letting her hear the ending of the song,

Characters Involved

Alice
Mock Turtle
Gryphon

Characters Mentioned

White Rabbit
Lobster

Memorable Quotes

Mock turtle: “You may not have lived much under the sea–‘ (`I haven’t,’ said Alice)–`and perhaps you were never even introduced to a lobster–‘ (Alice began to say `I once tasted–‘ but checked herself hastily, and said `No, never’) `–so you can have no idea what a delightful thing a Lobster Quadrille is!”

Mock Turtle: “Two lines! Seals, turtles, salmon, and so on; then, when you’ve cleared all the jelly-fish out of the way–”

Mock Turtle:

“Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail. “There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle–will you come and join the dance?

Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance? “

Gryphon:” Stand up and repeat “‘TIS THE VOICE OF THE SLUGGARD”

Alice:” I passed by his garden, and marked, with one eye, How the Owl and the Panther were sharing a pie-”

Mock Turtle:

“Beautiful Soup, so rich and green, Waiting in a hot tureen! Who for such dainties would not stoop? Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup! Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup! Beau–ootiful Soo–oop! Beau–ootiful Soo–oop! Soo–oop of the e–e–evening, Beautiful, beautiful Soup!

Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish, Game, or any other dish? Who would not give all else for two p ennyworth only of beautiful Soup? Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup? Beau–ootiful Soo–oop! Beau–ootiful Soo–oop! Soo–oop of the e–e–evening, Beautiful, beauti–FUL SOUP!”

Questions

Whose trial do you think it is?

What was your favorite quote?

What did you think of the Mock Turtle’s songs?

Anything curious that caught your attention?

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