Because the 'Alice' books were written to mock the Victorian society/classes/sexism/religion/education system, I thought it would be fun if we all compiled our favorite parts of the books with mini explanations to help all the new Alice fans enjoy the subtext of the books as well! heart
We can also point out the symbolism of characters and objects, as well as common themes. I'd love to read your contributions as well. X3
First... a little history of why "Alice" is such a huge deal (in literature), for our newer or younger Alice fans out there. :O
(Okay, this is ONE reason. You can post more if you want.) XD
Before "Alice was published, ALL contemporary (non-fairytale) children's stories were cautionary tales meant to instruct children. Most of them were pretty frightening, often resulting in the death or severe injury of the child in the story (like the poison reference Alice makes when deciding if she should drink the "Drink Me" bottle). When "Alice's Adventures Underground" was published, it was the first children's novel written for the purpose of ENTERTAINING rather than instructing a child. It's a really fun book full of humor and nonsense. "Alice" started the whole sect of what we today call childrens' literature.
(And, it is awesome.)
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I'll start us off. :3
These were the big ones that brought up the most discussion in my University literature analysis class.
Cheshire Cat = God-figure. Always appears 'above' the other characters. Takes no action himself but causes other characters to act/react.
Poetry & Factoids = Back in ye olde Victorian times, school lessons consisted of children memorizing and reciting silly poems and factoids. Basically, they learned nothing practical in the education system that would prepare them for the real world. Carroll (Dodgeson) was an educator himself and he thought the memorize-and-repeat system was bullshit. He critiques it by showing that Alice is (by Victorian standards) a very good student who can recite, but when she's faced with 'real life' situations her schooling is useless.
Death = It is everywhere in this book. Seriously. We could make a drinking-game out of it. "After a fall such as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling down-stairs!... Why, I wouldn't say anything about it, even if I fell off the top of the house!" (which was very likely true). <-She wouldn't say anything because she would be DEAD.
Mock Epic = Classic 'epics' have 12 chapters with a plot that goes something like this; 'fall'>journey>trials>return home.
...and some other fun ones:
Dodo Bird = Author's self-insert. Tee hee :B
Eaglet and Lorry (birds) = Alice Liddel's irl sisters.
---------
Now go! Post your own! There's so much in this book, I bet we can reach 10 pages in no time! XD
We can also point out the symbolism of characters and objects, as well as common themes. I'd love to read your contributions as well. X3
First... a little history of why "Alice" is such a huge deal (in literature), for our newer or younger Alice fans out there. :O
(Okay, this is ONE reason. You can post more if you want.) XD
Before "Alice was published, ALL contemporary (non-fairytale) children's stories were cautionary tales meant to instruct children. Most of them were pretty frightening, often resulting in the death or severe injury of the child in the story (like the poison reference Alice makes when deciding if she should drink the "Drink Me" bottle). When "Alice's Adventures Underground" was published, it was the first children's novel written for the purpose of ENTERTAINING rather than instructing a child. It's a really fun book full of humor and nonsense. "Alice" started the whole sect of what we today call childrens' literature.
(And, it is awesome.)
-----
I'll start us off. :3
These were the big ones that brought up the most discussion in my University literature analysis class.
Cheshire Cat = God-figure. Always appears 'above' the other characters. Takes no action himself but causes other characters to act/react.
Poetry & Factoids = Back in ye olde Victorian times, school lessons consisted of children memorizing and reciting silly poems and factoids. Basically, they learned nothing practical in the education system that would prepare them for the real world. Carroll (Dodgeson) was an educator himself and he thought the memorize-and-repeat system was bullshit. He critiques it by showing that Alice is (by Victorian standards) a very good student who can recite, but when she's faced with 'real life' situations her schooling is useless.
Death = It is everywhere in this book. Seriously. We could make a drinking-game out of it. "After a fall such as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling down-stairs!... Why, I wouldn't say anything about it, even if I fell off the top of the house!" (which was very likely true). <-She wouldn't say anything because she would be DEAD.
Mock Epic = Classic 'epics' have 12 chapters with a plot that goes something like this; 'fall'>journey>trials>return home.
...and some other fun ones:
Dodo Bird = Author's self-insert. Tee hee :B
Eaglet and Lorry (birds) = Alice Liddel's irl sisters.
---------
Now go! Post your own! There's so much in this book, I bet we can reach 10 pages in no time! XD
