Alice in Wonderland

In class this week, our discussion has been centered entirely around fantasy stories. The Russel Text adds to our lectures by listing the various types of fantasy stories and naming the hidden rules of the fantasy writers. One such rule states that children demand that their fantasy story not be stolen from them at the conclusion of the tale. Surprisingly, Alice in Wonderland represents a major contradiction of this law that is weighed so heavily with this partiular age sector. Not only is the fantasy aspect of the story instantly removed when Alice realizes that her adventures in Wonderland result from a dream, but Carroll reminds his readers throughout the entire course of the story that Alice is in a deep sleep.

For example, Carroll suggests on the first page of his story that Alice is drifting to sleep. " So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid.)" Immediately after, Alice envisions a talking rabbit who speeds past her complaining of his unpunctual behavior. What else can be concluded from these opening sentences that Alice is a product of her own dream?

Another way that Carroll seems to scream to his readers that Alice's adventurous journey results from a dream occurs when Alice happens upon the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. When a curious Alice approaches the couple she notices a strange sight that sits between the Hatter and the Hare: a noctural Dormouse who has difficulty staying awake. Is Carroll attempting to relate this sleeping rodent to our protagonist? It is difficult not to wonder whether our author is suggesting that Alice is no different from the mouse: fast asleep and a victim of his own imagination.

Lastly, it is hard not to consider whether Alice's loss of memory is a result of her unconsious state. Alice is constantly found forgetting her most basic knowledge. " Who in the world am I?..... Four times five is twelve....London is the capital Paris."

Little is known of why Lewis Carroll was directly went against the wishes of the children audience. It is interesting, however, to analyze the matter and wonder why the author was so bold in his attempts.