THEMES

Major Themes

AliceÂ’s Adventures in Wonderland revolves around the experiences of a child in a world of imagination (dream). Carroll starts out by hurling the child into a deep abyss of realization. It is an abyss where the child learns to grapple with the problems that she has to face. She tries to come up with logical explanations for her state of affairs and thus is presented with a knowledge of herself. In her mind, Alice indulges in an abstract notion of adventure where she encounters various beings with a way of living quite different from that of her own.

In her encounter with the March Hare and the Mad Hatter she emerges to be the supreme being, but it is during her encounter with the caterpillar and the Mock Turtle that she has to juggle the reality of her existence and that of their existence. It is this juggling that leaves her quite dizzy and confused. The difference lies in the interpretation of ‘language’ and this is what leads to startling perspectives.

MOOD

The mood of the entire novel is that of adventure. Throughout the narrative one can sense the bubbling activity that is on. Carroll presents certain very somber moments (when Alice is worried and bursts into tears on not being able to grow tall). However, they are easily and well balanced with the bright moments as seen in the beautiful garden, the mad moments at the Mad Tea party and the scholarly mood as expressed with the Mock Turtle.

Carroll does not stay with a particular idea for a long time. He breaks off once he has given sufficient information. Though the story is supposedly to meant for children, the language is such that it catches the attention of the adult. It carries more significance to the adult, since it is meant for the child in every adult. The novel carries within it the complexities of the day of a child, her experiences and her need to have these experiences.

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