Wondering about Wonderland

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that studying the book 'Alice in Wonderland' provides an insight into life in Victorian England. The writer maintains that there is more to this book than a child's fantasy, as one can almost hear author Carroll's voice in the words. The writer notes that this voice seems to hint at deeper meanings. In addition, the writer points out that Alice's life, as a Victorian female child destined to become a rather bored idle Victorian lady and that her adventures in Wonderland are in sharp contrast to the life afforded Victorian ladies. After studying the sources, the writer concludes with the belief that it warrants a bit more research in order to fully understand this very delightful book.

From the Paper:

"In looking further, we should re-examine the conversations in the book, and even the various things which happen to Alice. Victorian "ladies" were totally preoccupied with appearance, and went to extreme measures to stay very thin. Corsets made their waists even smaller, and tended to make the ladies faint, since they could not breathe. Alice becomes a giant from one bite of a cookie."
"A journal article by Rose Lovell-Smith does a dandy job of explaining the presence of so many animals in Wonderland as parallel symbols for the Victorian class system, and the way these animals talk is not at all innocent or meant for children, but results in sharp criticism of Victorian society."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lovell-Smith, Rose. "The Animals of Wonderland: Tenniel as Carroll's Reader." Criticism 45.4 (2003): 383+. Questia. 10 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5006819769>.
• Miller, Henry Wise. All Our Lives: Alice Duer Miller. New York: Coward-McCann, 1945. Questia. 10 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=8795970>.
• Roberts, Rex. "Explicating Alice." Insight on the News 10 Jan. 2000: 32. Questia. 10 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001131952>.

More papers on Wondering about Wonderland:

• Analytical Essay # 52499 : "James Kincaid's "Alice's Invasion of Wonderland"
• Analytical Essay # 25514 : "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll"
• Analytical Essay # 67641 : "Nature of Reality in "Alice in Wonderland"

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