Characters
This young protagonist is constantly questioning the world around her.
Who is Alice?
In Wonderland, logic is frequently undermined, such as when the Mad Hatter tells a riddle with no answer. This connects with what theme?
What is The Absurdity of Life / Nonsense
The tone in much of the narration, especially in scenes with the Cheshire Cat, is best described as this.
What is whimsical or playful?
The Queen’s obsession with executions satirizes this societal issue.
What is the abuse of power or arbitrary justice?
The rabbit hole symbolizes this kind of transition.
What is a descent into the subconscious or a journey into the unknown?
This time-obsessed character sparks Alice’s adventure.
Who is the White Rabbit?
Alice often questions who she is after undergoing physical and emotional changes. This internal conflict represents which broader theme of adolescence?
What is the loss of childhood innocence, coming of age or the struggle for identity during maturation?
Carroll’s tone in the courtroom scene conveys this satirical emotion.
What is mockery or ridicule?
The tea party ridicules the pointless rituals of this group.
What is the upper class or Victorian society?
The shrinking and growing Alice symbolizes this aspect of adolescence.
What is identity confusion or emotional instability?
This smiling creature gives cryptic advice and fades away slowly.
Who is the Cheshire Cat?
The Caterpillar repeatedly asks Alice, “Who are you?” This interaction forces her to reflect on her unstable identity, symbolizing what deeper psychological process?
What is the journey of self-discovery/ identity or personal transformation?
Alice’s internal monologues reflect this tone when she’s confused or frustrated.
What is exasperated or self-reflective?
The Mock Turtle’s education (“Reeling and Writhing”) mocks this institution.
What is traditional schooling or learning?
The garden Alice longs to enter represents this symbolic idea.
What is innocence, paradise, or belonging?
Known for madness and an eternal tea party, this character challenges logic and manners.
Who is the Mad Hatter?
At the tea party, Time is personified and has stopped, leaving the Mad Hatter and others in a perpetual tea-time. What theme is connected to this chapter (100 pts) What does this distortion of time suggest about Carroll’s view of reality? (400 pts)
What is Time vs. Reality (100 pts)
What is that time is subjective and reality is unstable or constructed? (400 pts)
In scenes where adult customs are distorted, Carroll adopts this tone.
What is ironic or critical?
The Caucus Race makes fun of this type of event or system.
What is politics or bureaucracy?
The playing cards serve as a symbol of this aspect of society.
What is conformity or the dehumanizing effect of institutions?
This ruthless ruler’s love for punishment reveals her symbolic role as tyrannical authority.
Who is the Queen of Hearts?
The Queen of Hearts’ command, “Off with their heads!” is obeyed without question. Carroll uses her exaggerated authority to satirize what societal issue?
What is the blind submission to authoritarian power or the absurdity of institutional authority? (Authority and Power)
The constant tonal shifts throughout the novel support this rhetorical purpose.
What is to challenge reader expectations or emphasize absurdity?
By making adult figures illogical and irrational, Carroll satirizes this broader societal concept.
What is adult authority or societal norms?
Wonderland itself can be interpreted as an allegory for this larger concept.
What is the absurdity of adult logic or the unpredictability of life?