In the first four chapters of the book, the author creates a scattered, fast-paced, unpredictable sort of atmosphere, which at times becomes incredibly confusing. Alice repetitively changes her height and finds herself constantly wishing she were either taller or smaller. It seems that she is never happy. I think the author juxtaposes childhood and adulthood by showing Alice's changes when she enters Wonderland. In chapter 4, she says, "...I'm grown up now." I believe this is an ironic play on words- maybe she's referring to her transition into maturity; or maybe she is literally discussing her height obtained from eating the cakes, potions, etc.
This all becomes more significant in chapter 5, when the Caterpillar questions Alice on her identity. She replies with: "...I hardly know... I think I must have changed since then [this morning]." Alice finds it difficult to further explain herself, and the author attempts to draw a parallelism between Alice changing physically and her changing figuratively. Alice says it is confusing to be so many different heights in one day; just as Wonderland is confusing altogether. Her dream, which we presume she is having, is possibly linked to her subconscious transition to maturity. Chapter 5 is incredibly helpful with establishing Alice's situation and showing the symbolism of her constantly changing heights. This repetition is summarizes when Alice, confronted with a pigeon, says: "I'm a little girl". The text goes on to say that she said this "doubtfully, as she remembered the number of changes she had gone through that day." Analogies are present as well as Alice compares what she is feeling to a caterpillar that has just emerged from its cocoon.
Alice shows signs of never being happy with the size she is; she always is desperately wishing for something to make her either taller or shorter. This is similar to the cliche that "the grass is always greener on the other side."
The animals Alice encounters in chapters 5 and 6 make her question her identity and her reasons for being in Wonderland. The Cat and Caterpillar have short, symbolic, rather philosophical conversations with her. I think the significance of this will become more apparent as the story continues.
Hi Lindsey (: I muuust say, your analysis seems very thorough. I agree with the whole transition-into-maturity concept you picked out. All of the symbolism with the size-changes and conversations with the caterpillar and Cheshire cat highlight aspects of growing older, like problems with self-identity like you said. :D
ReplyDeleteNew revised version for English homework:
ReplyDelete"...I'm grown up now” (chapter 4). With this statement, Alice could be referring to her transition into maturity; or maybe she is discussing her changes in size (a symbolic aspect of her growing up). So far in the book, the author has drawn a parallelism between Alice’s physical and literal changes and her changing figuratively.
I believe that in Alice in Wonderland, there is a reappearing theme of identity and maturity. This book could possibly end up becoming a rite of passage for Alice. Caroll juxtaposes childhood and adulthood by showing the changes Alice undergoes when she enters Wonderland. This theme is made obvious through symbolism in chapters 5 and 6.
So far, Alice’s identity has come into question numerous times. This questioning has been further challenged by Alice's repetitive habits of growing and shrinking, which could be symbolic of her growing up. In chapter 5, Alice is confronted with the Catapillar, who forces her to face her inner self and question who she is. She replies with: "...I hardly know...at least I know who I WAS…I think I must have changed several times since then." Alice finds it difficult to explain herself. Alice says it is confusing to be so many different heights in one day. Carrol writes: “…I can’t understand it myself to begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.” The theme Caroll is trying to convey to the readers is made more apparent through Alice’s run-in with the Catapillar. Throughout the course of the conversation they share, readers see the how confused Alice has become and how unsure she is of her own identity. The Catapillar has Alice attempt to recite a poem that juxtaposes age and youth. This poem could symbolize the transition Alice is experiencing herself.
In Chapter 6, Alice says: "I'm a little girl". The text goes on to say that she said this "doubtfully, as she remembered the number of changes she had gone through that day." Her dream, which we presume she is having, is possibly linked to her subconscious transition to maturity.
Chapters 5 and 6 illustrate an atmosphere in which Alice is transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Carrol uses symbolism in order to create a reappearing theme of identity and maturity/growing up.