Although this poem is mostly nonsensical on the surface, on further inspection there is a great deal to analyze. This poem is primarily about the triumph of good over evil, with the killing of the Jabberwocky being the critical moment. Good and evil in this text is incredibly clear-cut, with the boy being presented as objectively good, while the Jabberwocky is presented as objectively evil. The poem's general concept is influenced heavily by Anglo-Saxon literature, which relies upon the clear distinction between good and evil. The battle between the Jabberwocky and the boy reflects many of the battles in Medieval literature, such as the battle between Grendel and Beowulf. Anglo-Saxon literature often culminates in a battle, whereby the hero must prove his courage and prowess by killing the "monster." Carroll takes his concept and satirizes it, by making the monster a nonsensical "Jabberwocky."
A key aspect of this poem is the use of sound and language. Although it is a nonsense poem, we are able to understand key aspects due to Carroll's use of sound. For example, the word "slithy" sounds a lot like "slimy." As such, we are able to gain a general idea of the poem even though we can't understand the language.
The poem begins with a description of normality in the first stanza, which is then threatened by the presence of the Jabberwocky and other nonsensical creatures. The battle then ensues, and after the defeat of the Jabberwocky, the poem returns to normality. Carroll cleverly creates this effect by repeating the first stanza at the end of the poem, in order to symbolically show the return to order.
