Fantasy and Reality in Lewis Carroll's Novels

Paper Summary:

This paper begins by presenting an outline and definition of the realms of reality and fantasy. It then posits a commentary on the treatment, the juxtaposition and the eventual merging of reality and fantasy in the earlier set of works by Lewis Carroll. The works considered are "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass".

From the Paper:

"The treatment of reality and fantasy in works by Lewis Carroll is, shall I say, unique in the annals of literature, for never has it been accomplished with such an effectiveness, subtlety, delicacy and poignancy. The principal idea in this first set of works is one of a visible, palpable and tangible 'transition point', from which the protagonist enters a realm of fantasy from a realm of reality. That 'point de depart', so to speak, is symbolized by the rabbit hole in the first work, and a looking glass in the second, both of which have a special significance as motifs of transition between the planes of reality and fantasy. Once Alice crosses these points, she passes into a realm where logic and reality as she knows it no longer applies. The idea of a definite transition point, through which one may pass in order to get to another realm is a form of subconscious demarcation used by Carroll between reality and fantasy. A portal through which one may pass automatically represents a gateway back from the other realm to this one, thus preserving the integrity of both worlds."

More papers on Fantasy and Reality in Lewis Carroll's Novels:

• Analytical Essay # 67279 : "Reality and Fantasy in Works by Lewis Carrol"
• Analytical Essay # 25272 : "Louis Nowra's Exploration of Fantasy and Reality in "Cosi"
• Book Review # 106336 : "Illusion and Reality in "Araby"

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