Following the Rules
(p. 5) While she's falling down the rabbit hole, Alice still tries to curtsey. Why would she do that?
She's been taught manners so much that it's a habit. Even falling down a hole, she can't stop being polite, which shows how deep those rules go.
(p. 44) Alice drinks from a random bottle just to see what will happen. How is that different from how girls were supposed to act?
Girls were supposed to be careful. She's curious and takes risks. Her curiosity is what moves the whole adventure forward.
(p. 117) The Queen of Hearts yells "Off with her head!" all the time. Is she a good example of a strong woman? Why or why not?
Not really. She's powerful, but she's mean and scary. The book shows a powerful woman as a scary villain, which is a stereotype.
FINAL JEOPARDY - Bet your points first! (p. 192) At the end, Alice wakes up and it was all a dream. Her sister imagines Alice growing up and telling kids the story of Wonderland. Did Alice lose her strength, or does she keep it? Write your answer, then read it out loud.
She keeps it. She keeps her story and her voice. Waking up doesn't erase what she learned. She grows up and tells her own story.
(p. 17) Alice gets mad at herself for crying. Why does she think crying is wrong?
Girls were told not to cry or show their feelings. Hiding her feelings doesn't help, because she just keeps crying anyway.
(p. 134) The Duchess teases Alice for thinking, and Alice says "I've a right to think." Why is that a big deal?
Girls weren't supposed to speak up or have their own opinions. She's saying her thoughts belong to her, which girls weren't really allowed to say back then.
(p. 118) The Queen is yelling, and the King quietly asks her to calm down. What's unusual about this couple for that time?
The wife is the boss and the husband is the quiet one. Flipping the roles makes us notice how strange the 'normal' roles really are.
(p. 42) The White Rabbit mistakes Alice for his maid and orders her around, and she just does it. Why doesn't she say no?
Girls were taught to obey and serve others. And because she obeys, she ends up stuck inside the Rabbit's house. Following the rule literally traps her.
(p. 89) Alice gets stuck holding a baby. When it turns into a pig, she lets it go. What expectation is she rejecting?
That girls should want to be moms. She makes her own choice instead of doing what's expected of her.
(pp. 84-85) The Duchess sings a song about hitting her baby. How is she different from what a mom was supposed to be like?
Moms were supposed to be gentle and caring. She's rough. It makes fun of the idea that every woman is naturally a gentle mom.
(Chapters 1-4) Think about the times Alice follows the rules. Is she happy in those moments? Explain.
No. She's crying, stuck, or bossed around. See? Following the rules isn't helping her.
(p. 187) The Queen tells Alice to be quiet and Alice says "I won't!" How is this Alice different from the Alice at the start?
She went from quiet and polite to brave and confident. Another rule broken, and she's braver than ever.
(p. 86) The Duchess tosses her baby to Alice and leaves. Why is it unfair that Alice has to take care of it?
She's just a kid, but girls were expected to act like moms. Even the grown women don't show Alice a good way to be strong, so she has to find her own voice.