In chapter 7 I find the conversations between Alice, the March Hare, and the Hatter very thought provoking. Most of their comments were be intended as puns, cleverly reversing the context of several phrases. For instance,saying what we mean is not the same thing as meaning what we say. When we contemplate the ideas in our head, they always morph into a different idea by the time it comes out of our mouth. This implies we do not truly understand what we are saying most of the time. Seeing how the nature of words themselves are tricky to grasp, one needs to possess the ability to wield them correctly.
I found it to be quite curious that the characters are able to speak to time. If Alice could convince time to stop, would she be eternally young? We view children as the image of youth due to their curiosity and innocence. So can someone truly lose their youth even if they stayed ‘young at heart’, regardless of their appearance?
Carroll’s play on words also provided much entertainment. Quotes such as “they were in the well” “Of course they were, well in” had me suppressing a laugh. These ridiculous inserts got me thinking Carroll-like. Thus the phrase “much of a muchness” referring to things that are similar, caught my attention. We all know things are similar if they posses something alike to each other. Then would things that have nothing in common be similar as well? After all, they all have nothing in common.
I would imagine, if reading about Alice’s experiences makes the wheels in my head spin this much, Alice herself must be befuddled by now. This has increased my respect for Alice’s ability to adapt to her surroundings, and led me to realize the unique power of a child’s mind.
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The Alice Project #12 
I completely agree with the last paragraph. I was very confused as well, and I didn’t understand how Alice take everything so well. Yes, she questioned some things, but she mainly seemed to take everything in stride. Perhaps this is just because she is a child, and does not understand the real dangers involved. Please see my post on Our Own Wonderland (Team 6), “Risks: When Should They Be Taken?”, as I talk more in-depth about the risks.
If it is childhood innocence, we could expect that the story could be very dangerous. Alice could get hurt due to her childhood ignorance. The story definitely will prove interesting either way.
Great post.
Gabriella, your point on a woman trapped in the body of a ten year-old lead me to wonder about even more. Great, pick up on the many ways to go forth with one idea. Jenna, thanks for replying back, the fact that you took the time to work out the idea I meant to present makes the writer feel heard. :]
That is a good point Gabriella. I think this is one of those things that just depends on how you look at it. This story seems to bring up a lot of issues like that. Perhaps it’s just part of the wonder in Wonderland.
And Vivian, I don’t think you could have stated that third period any more clearly. In fact I think you successfully described a very complex idea. It’s just one of those paragraphs you have to read slowly. Well for me atleast.
Your comment on the eternally young interested me. Let’s say that perhaps one could stay young forever. I feel that if we define youth as innocence and curiosity, then no matter how young you seem to look, you would have gained the life experience of an older individual. As such I feel that while you may have the face of a child you would be an adult on the inside. I find that a rather disturbing concept personally. To be a woman trapped in the body of a ten year-old. It brings precocious to a whole new level of meaning. I think it is one of those ideas that at first we are enamored with only to find out the unappealing side effects later. I think for an adult it would be nice to be young for a day but after a while you would tire of being trapped in a child’s body.
I loved your perspective on youth, there are in fact many ways to look at this and you’ve just distinguished it clearly for me. As to the talking to time part, I was refering to the Hatter saying if you kept on good terms with him, time would do almost anything you liked. In that case, maybe Alice wouldve been able to convince time to stop as well if she’d gotten on his good side. I do know the third paragraph is a bit confusing, I will strive to make my sentences more distinct and clear next time. Thanks!
Let me just say I had to read the last couple sentences of your third paragraph a couple times before I got what you meant.
Now, to your first question, “can someone truly lose their youth even if they stayed ‘young at heart’?” Well, it depends on how you define youth. If you define youth by the characteristic of one who is young, with freshness, vigor, and spirit then I don’t think you could lose your youth. As long as you maintained freshness, vigor, and spirit. Now, if you defined youth as the time of life from puberty to the attainment of full growth, then you can lose your youth. Unless you were somehow able to stay in your adolescent days (by talking to time?). Now, since the dictionary defines youth both ways, there is no correct answer.