Alice In Wonderland: Enduring, Endearing Nonsense

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

first book on the advice of friends
who had read and loved the little handwritten manuscript he had given to Alice
Liddell. He expanded the story considerably and engaged the services of John
Tenniel, one of the best known artists in England, to provide illustrations.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through The Looking Glass were
enthusiastically received in their own time, and have since become landmarks in
childrens' literature.

What makes these nonsense tales so durable? Aside from the immediate appeal of
the characters, their colourful language, and the sometimes hilarious verse
("Twas brillig, and the slithy toves/did gyre and gimble in the wabe:") the
narrative works on many levels. There is logical structure, in the
relationship of Alice's journey to a game of chess. There are problems of
relativity, as in her exchange with the Cheshire Cat:

"Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a
good deal on where you want to get ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

CITE THIS PAGE: