Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Joke Poo: Why is a clogged toilet like a philosophy textbook?

Because both are full of dense material that’s difficult to flush.

Okay, let’s dissect this classic riddle/joke and see what we can do to enrich it.

Elements of the Original Joke:

• The Riddle Format: It’s a question posed as a riddle, designed to be puzzling and intriguing.
• Comparison of Dissimilar Objects: A raven and a writing desk seem to have little in common on the surface. This creates inherent absurdity.
• Literary Connection: The answer relies heavily on the association with Edgar Allan Poe, a famous writer known for “The Raven.”
• Wordplay (implied): The original riddle, coined by Lewis Carroll in “Alice in Wonderland”, is designed to be nonsensical. The intention was that there isn’t a right answer. This answer brings an element of sense that wasn’t intended.
• Brevity: The joke/answer is short and punchy.

Interesting Facts to Leverage:

• Ravens in Literature: Ravens are often symbols of ill omen, mystery, and death, particularly in Poe’s work.
• Poe’s Writing Habits: Poe was known for his meticulous and often frantic writing process. He frequently revised his work and struggled with financial instability. Some sources suggest he wrote standing up, others from a desk or writing board.
• Writing Desks: The design and materials of writing desks have varied significantly throughout history, reflecting changes in technology and social customs. Victorian writing desks were often ornate and elaborate.
• The Riddle’s History: The “raven and writing desk” riddle was created by Lewis Carroll in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” He himself admitted he didn’t have a specific answer in mind.

New Humor Based on the Analysis:

Here are a few options, building on the original:

1. A Darkly Humorous Observation:

“They say Poe wrote on both ravens and writing desks. Which explains why so many of his characters end up perched on the edge of despair, quill in hand, ready to peck out their own souls. Must have been a terrible desk to write on.”

2. A Meta-Joke about the Riddle:

“Why is a raven like a writing desk? Well, according to Lewis Carroll, they’re not! But that never stopped English teachers from spending hours dissecting both anyway. They probably have more to say on the subject than Alice did.”

3. A “Did You Know” With a Twist:

“Did you know that ravens can mimic human speech? Maybe Poe’s raven wasn’t just repeating ‘Nevermore.’ Maybe it was reading his rejection letters aloud from his writing desk, taunting him about his overdue rent. Quoth the landlord, ‘Pay your dues!’“

4. An Absurd Extension:

“Why is a raven like a writing desk? Because Poe wrote on both! …And also, occasionally, Poe would try to train the raven to be his writing desk. It didn’t go well. Lots of feathers and ink everywhere. You can read about it in his lesser-known work, ‘The Perch and the Pendulum.'”