The Role of The Monarchy in Lewis Carroll’s "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There"

Seminar Paper , 2003 , 8 Pages , Grade: 2,0

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

In Lewis Carroll’s classics, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, kings and queens appear embodied in animated playing cards and chessmen. But are they really only “a pack of cards” (Carroll 72) and ordinary chess figures in the eyes of Alice, the heroine of the two books, or does she take them seriously? And if she takes the kings and queens seriously, why doesn’t she always treat them as adult-authorities as one might have expected from a Victorian girl? The idea suggests itself that it was Carroll’s intention to draw a satirical picture of the Victorian monarchy because Queen Victoria’s popularity was no longer at it’s height when he wrote the Alice books. But according to the author himself, his chief motive was to “please a child (he) loved” (Carroll, AotS). Here Lewis Carroll is referring to a girl named Alice Liddell to whom he told Alice’s adventures before he later wrote them for publication. Indeed, Lewis Carroll had an exceptional knowledge of the child’s mind and could thus create a unique fairytale, as the author himself calls his narrative, which is still considered a children’s classic today. How do the kings and queens in the two Alice books then contribute to the success of Carroll’s works of Alice and Wonderland and Through The Looking-Glass?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Analysis
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to explore the role of the monarchy in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through The Looking-Glass, focusing on the portrayal of kings and queens as animated playing cards and chessmen. The research will be based on the original text and quotes from the author himself.

• The portrayal of the monarchy in the two Alice books
• Alice's perception of the kings and queens
• The satirical nature of the portrayal of the monarchy
• The relationship between the monarchs and Alice
• The significance of the monarchy in the context of Victorian England

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: The paper introduces the topic of the monarchy in the Alice books, raising questions about the characters' perception of royalty and the potential satirical intent of the author. It highlights the importance of understanding Carroll's perspective and the context of Victorian England.
• Analysis: This chapter explores Alice's encounter with the King and Queen of Hearts in Wonderland, highlighting their harsh and unjust treatment of others. The author connects their behavior to historical events and explores the parallel between the Queen of Hearts and Queen Margaret. The chapter also examines the Queen's power and Alice's reaction to it, emphasizing Alice's critical thinking and questioning of authority.
• Analysis (continued): This section continues the analysis of the monarchy in Wonderland, focusing on the King of Hearts' character. He is portrayed as a timid and submissive figure, overshadowed by the Queen's dominance. The chapter explores the King's attempts to intervene and his rebellion against the Queen's tyranny. It also examines the importance of logic and sense in Alice's world, showcasing her critical attitude towards the characters' illogical behavior.
• Through the Looking-Glass: This chapter examines the portrayal of the monarchy in the sequel to Alice in Wonderland. Alice enters Looking-glass World through a mirror, finding herself in a chessboard world where she becomes a white pawn. The chapter focuses on the encounter with the Red and White Queen and the change in Alice's perception of them as she grows accustomed to their presence.
• The Red Queen: The final chapter focuses on the Red Queen's character, highlighting her strict but not unkindly nature. Alice accepts her as an authority, respecting her guidance and seeking her help. This chapter examines the governess-like approach of the Red Queen and how she contrasts with the Queen of Hearts.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this paper include: Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, monarchy, Victorian England, satire, childhood, authority, logic, and critical thinking.

• College: Saarland University
• Grade: 2,0
• Author: Marlissa Gerken (Author)
• Publication Year: 2003
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V91806
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638056281
• Language: English
• Tags: Role, Monarchy, Lewis, Carroll’s, Alice’s, Adventures, Wonderland, Through, Looking-Glass, What, Alice, Found, There, Carroll