"Alice in Wonderlands" is actually 2 books  - "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass."  They are not only for children but also adults.  Of course, children and adults see different parts of the books.

Have you read the books too?  What were your thoughts and opinions?

 

Here is my essay this week:

Alice’s adventures describe a typical child's path into adulthood. In Wonderland, Alice begins to lose her innocence; in the Looking Glass, she is goal-driven. Many signs guide us through her transition and suggest that she finally completes it.

Wonderland is the first environment where Alice feels unsafe. Confusion leads her to question her own identity. She then loses control of her body (puberty) and feels helpless. Frustrated, she wishes to enter the Garden through THE tiny door (return to Eden). Easily distracted and without concrete goals in life, Alice is lost in everyone's nonsense and finds no logic or meaning (morals). Finally she realizes her power to change Wonderland.

In the 2nd book, Alice exerts control over her pets - the first sign to her loss of innocence and willingness to conform to her Victorian elite society. Thus, a new journey begins. In the beginning, Alice enjoys her godlike status over the chessmen greatly, but surpringly she accepts to lose control as a pawn (social status). Soon, she stops finding morals or companions. She has no bad conscious about hurting the Gnat, moves on immediately when the Fawn leaves, and dismisses offers of friendship from gentle characters. Instead, going to the 8th square and becoming Queen (power/control) occupy her mind. For instance, she refuses to give the Knight credit for the rescue and simply shows she is determined to be Queen, even when she knows the phenomenon of fate will probably pre-determine it (no free will).

Clearly Alice is playing the rules to her advantage; not every chessman can become Queen. Therefore her innocence fades away quickly like the fading rushes she picked; instead, her ego is established. Yet when Alice’s desire to be the winning Queen is fulfilled, she cries, "I can't stand this any longer!" Then comes Carroll's question: what the meaning of our existence is if life is like a dream. His deep mourning over the loss of innocence takes us to look back on our childhood and how/why we lost it.

 

Comments from my classmates (from different cultural backgrounds around the world):

Your thesis that Alice's adventures describe a child's path to adulthood was clear until the last paragraph when you say "Then comes Carroll's question: what the meaning of our existence is if life is like a dream." This mention of the meaning of existence and life as a dream does not fit with your thesis of growth. Your essay would be stronger with more editing.

Your spelling and grammar are good. Your thesis is clear. In general, except the part mentioned above, your structure supports your argument.

I think this is a very fair comment.  I could have put it in a better way so he/she understands why I put that part in the writing and has to do with the theme and my conclusion. 


I found that the theme of lost innocence is a good approach, but i miss a more developed idea that she is totally lost and she has no guide in this new world, she is completely adrift. The essay is well presented. Clear for reading.


I liked the ideas, specially when mentioned about the symbols for puberty and return to Eden, but these themes could have been more explored. The essay is very well written. It all makes sense and the ideas are clear.


Good topic, clearly and well developed . Very psychoanalytical view. I would have liked to see some quotes and page references. Outstanding essay. Excellent English.

 

請尊重作者著作權,轉貼前請告知本人,謝謝。

An analysis on the same theme:

Alice in Wonderland - A Borderline Personality Tale

by Richard Boyd is an experienced Body Mind Psychotherapist and the Director of the Energetics Institute in Perth, Western Australia.  Copyright 2011.


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