My Wonderland

I know that if I were in Alice’s situation I would have handled things much differently.

First of all, I would have never taken a drink from the “drink me bottle”  because, even though it does not say poison I would no be so naive to believe that just because something does not say poison that does mean that it is not poison. The fact that she does drink the bottle tells me that Alice lives in an Ideal, protected society unlike the one the one we live in today. So, I was saying I would have be logical (as Alice tried to be) but, in a different way.

However, I think my journey through Wonderland would be very brief and unexciting because, I don’t think I would make it past the first hallway. Actually, I don’t think I would find myslef in that wonderland in the first place because I try not to think about the type of things that Alice would have to be thinking about when she is in wonderland. My wonderland would more than likely be underwater and my rabbit would be a talking fish. I think this seems logical because I love water, I think Alice’s wonderland had to do with the fact that she liked little animals and, she liked to play games, resulting in the talking cards. Sadly, we will never know if this is true but, it is fun to think about. However, there is more to the story than just reaction and setting, there is also the lessens we learn while we are there.

I live in a world that is much different than Alice’s and, I am older than Alice so, I believe that the lessens learned would be different as well. I also think that it would be a lot scarier than Alice’s Wonderland because I am older and do not get scared very eassaly and fear is a big part in this story. Back to lessens, I am not sure what lessons I would learn but I think that they would be about love, live, and happyness. As much as I would like to believe that my jerney through wonedr land would be different than Alice’s, I can not say if this is true or not. Wonderland is a very mysterious, deep place that can be seen from many different points of view and, I think your point of view would really determine how your jerney would pan out.

I am now achious to lose myself in Wonderland so, I am off to go on a jerney of my own.

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Mad as a Hatter

A personal favorite character of mine is the Mad Hatter.

As in my entry about the caterpillar, I do not want to express opinion about the Mad Hatter, I only wish to explain some of the ways he could be viewed.

The most common interpritation of him is that he is used to teach Alice about the strange, crazy things we have to deal with in life. This was my first opinion and I believe that it is valid. When Alice meets him, she is forced to deal with him and is not given any other choices, therefore teaching her that sometines you have to do things you don’t want to. This idea is based on the idea that Wonderland is a stand in for the real world but,  if you don’t think that, there are several other ways you could see the Mad Hatter. One good example would be, the Mad  Hatter represents society and its many elements.

I see two ways to support this argument. The first, when he tells Alice that every one is mad. This could be seen as an omnicient phrase, saying that he is all-knowing of all people. The second is his famous riddle, “Why is a Raven Like a Writing Desk.” This could be linked to how we try to impress people in conversation, but in reality we have no idea what we are saying. The Mad Hatter is a wonderfully deep character, and his lessons are terribly important to the story.

Who are You?

The caterpillar is one of the strangest characters in Wonderland and one of the most attracted characters as well. I do not wish to express my opinion through this , I only wish to show two of the many ways that you can look at this character. Most people’s first opinion of the caterpillar is that he is a drug reference. This  is a logical opinion because the author makes several indications that this is true. He also does smoke a hookah,(which is what really tips most people off) and he does act like he is on drugs. Another thing that could be linked to drugs is the fact that he lives on a mushroom, however, most people don’t see that one. I’m sure thought that this is not the only thing that the author wants us to see in the character.

He could also be seen as a figure to teach children to be careful with strange people and strange objects. How can this be so? Well, if you look at the time period, the hookah would have been new to England so, people would have been unsure of how to think of it. You must also remember that stories were meant to teach lessons. Carroll would have known the feelings of the people and used them to create an uncomfortable feeling around the caterpillar, and what a great way to do it. Once more, I am sure that this is not the only thing the author wants us to see in the character. There are many ways to look at the catipillar and those are just two of them. So, your turn, what do you think of the caterpillar?

I Am Alice

Alice is on of the least complex characters in the story, and that is most defiantly an interesting move on the part of the author.

Perhaps, he wanted us to see Alice for only who she is or, maybe he wanted to make her harder to decode than the other characters from Wonderland. Alice is a young girl that is taught how to act in every situation that she would ever be in so it is very clear that she would not have the same behaviors as the other people in Wonderland.

However, we must also look at the fact that Alice’s brain came up with all of these people so, what does that mean about who she is.

I think this dream of Wonderland came from the dark reaches of Alice’s brain therefore says nothing about who she is. This would seem to be so because, some of the knowledge that she is given seems far beyond what a little girl would know and think about. But there is more to Alice that what is written, for example, one meaning of Alice that I came to was, she is an example of corrupt government taking advantage of innocent people.

The first time Alice drinks out of the bottle she simply reads the label and when it does not say poison she drinks it without question, this is the exact strategy that you would use to take advantage of someone. First you have to get them to buy into it with out question so that they will do what ever you say, and if properly executed you will have that, for awhile at least. Once that runs out you can either loose your follower, trick them again or, get angry and violent and that is where the queen comes in. She would represent the head of the corrupt government which is all ways power thirsty and violent.

Each of the characters could represent a different position in the government that is trying to take Alice over. That is just one of the many underlying meanings I though of when I looked at Alice.  Alice is the main character and the way we see her is very important. However, there are many ways to protray her so, there are many ways to potray the story of  Aice as well.

More than a Little White Rabbit (version 2)

After reading Alice I wanted to compare my original thoughts of the white rabbit to what I thought about him after the story was over. From the very beginning I saw that there was more than one way to interpret the white rabbit, however, I did not see just how many there were.

As far as importance I didn’t see him as anything but a shinny object that Alice chased to get the story started but as I read on I soon discovered that he played a much bigger role than I thought. My guess is that most people had the same thoughts about him because, on the surface that is all he really is. As we read on however, we discover that he is a much bigger part of the story than we know. The court and the tea party are two good examples of situations that changed my opinion.

When I was done reading my opinions on every aspect of the rabbit had changed. He is more than a shallow shinny object, he is in an essence the story or its creator at least. The Rabbit is who moves Alice form place to place and keeps the story going. I also discovered that he is indeed very important to Alice and her journey. He is the most father like figure that Alice has in this story and is the reason that she stays alive. Think what you may of the little white rabbit but I must say that i think he is just about the most important character in the story.

Chase that rabbit as you will.

Alice’s Playlist

The following is a potential soundtrack for a film/stage production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland:

1. Sitting in the Park –  Billy Stewart
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/billy_stewart/sitting_in_the_park.html

This song describes the beginning of Alice very well. It is very light, very day dreamy and it’s just about sitting in the park waiting for something to happen, just like Alice.

2. New Soul – Yael Naim
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/y/yael_naim/new_soul.html

This is a very good way to tell about how Alice feels when she first arives in wonderland. “I’m a new soal, I came to this strange world…” This talkes about being new in Wonderland and how strange it must seem to Alice. “but since I came here, felt the joy and the fear finding myself making every possible mistake”, talking about how she can’t seem to do anything right in Wonderland. “I’m a young soal in this very strange world…”, she does not know any better she is just a little girl trying to find her way in this strange new place.  “why all this hate? trying to communicate…”, she does not understand why everyone she meets is so harsh and critises her so much.

3. Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/o/ozzy+osbourne/crazy+train_20103982.html

This song really explains Alice’s entire journey through Wonderland. It talkes about the different people she meets and really explains how the entire place is just one big “crazy train” that she is riding.

4. Off With their Heads- The Paper chase

This song while being blatantly ovious really explains the volital temper of the queen. This is a very loud edgy song so it gives it that added tension and anger that the queen has.

5. Chicken With the Train – Cowboy Troy

http://www.lyricstop.com/i/iplaychickenwiththetrain-cowboytroyfbigrich.html

This song reall is a good way to describe the croquet match that Alice has with the queen. She really is playing chicken whith a large train (her head getting cut off). This song talkes about dodging the train and not getting hit, and that is exactly what Alice is trying to do.

6. Home – Daughtry

http://www.metrolyrics.com/home-lyrics-daughtry.html

This song describes Alice’s feelings just before she wakes up. She wants to go home where she belongs and that is what this song is about.

7. Somebody to Love – Queen

http://www.lyrics007.com/Queen%20Lyrics/Somebody%20To%20Love%20Lyrics.html

While cheesy this song could be used to represent how Alice feels when she wakes up and tries to tell her sister what happened. The song talks about people having no faith and calling you crazy and that is exactly what Alice’s sister is doing to her.

Alice’s Directors Notes (pt. 1)

Imagine:

A high school has decided to take on Alice in Wonderland as their spring show. These are a few notes that the director might give to the actress playing Alice.

Scene: On the bank/ Down the Rabbit hole

“Emotion notes”:

At the start she is very board and a bit drowsy but, when she sees the rabbit she becomes very focused. It is very important to note this change in mood and make it obvious. When she finally stumbles down the rabbit hole it is important to remember that she is very scared and does not know where she is at this point. Her thoughts have been very jumbled and distorted by her fall and you must really exaggerate the confusion, the fear and all of the other emotions that she is feeling from flowing a talking rabbit down a magic rabbit hole.

You really must tap into your inner child here and show the audience your inner Alice (we all have one). You must also bring a lot of emotion to this character, she has a lot going on and you must react as she would. You must also think about the fact that Alice all ways has something to say and is not afraid to let you know it. As a result, you must have strong stage presence at all times, and don’t be shy.

All in all, Alice is a very bold character and you must let that show.

Placement/acting notes:

When sitting on the bank keep the body still but have a twitch of some sort like a leg shake. Really make the boredom know like a little kid would to their parent (“mommy I’m board i don’t wanna do this anymore.”). When the rabbit crosses look up immediately and exaggerate the sudden change in mood, really get interested.

Make the fall down the rabbit hole very dramatic and exaggerated.

Once down the rabbit hole remember there is a whole slew of emotion, don’t be afraid to get some tears going, fear is the main emotion we should see here. However, even though she is scared she is all so curious so, don’t let fear take over for to long. When dealing with the bottle do so with discretion at first but once she decides to drink it do not be as cautious.

Use deliberate movement. This is a curious little girl, she is aware or everything.

Alice’s Directors Notes (pt.2)

Scene: Waking Up/ Going Home

“Emotion Notes”:

For this scene you must really tap in to the “there is no place like home” feeling. Think about when you were little and came home from your first time at sleep away camp and think how happy you were to be home. When she first wakes up she is still trying to make sense of every thing so go back to that confused, frightened feel but, a little bit less strong.

Really think about the changes that she would have gone through and don’t let her be the same person she was before.

The first thing Alice wants to do when she wakes up is tell her sister all about it, just like when we go see a movie the first thing we want to do is go and tell our friends about how cool the movie was. When Alice does tell her sister, her sister responds by basically telling Alice that she is crazy which upsets Alice greatly. Think about why Alice is upset, What did she want from to hear from her sister.

Acting/Placement Notes:

When she wakes up make it very deliberate and sudden (perhaps she even startles her sister a bit). Take a moment of confusion to regain thought remember this is sudden. Once you have got yourself in order switch in to an excited state of mind so that you can prepare to tell your story.

When the time is right get up and walk over towards her sister but, remember that these are no longer the precise deliberate movements that she used at the beginning of the story. When you go over to her sister it needs to be like an excited child who wants to get their mother’s attention.When you do get her attention really get into  it and start the story form the very beginning. When her sister cuts you off really think about how that would hurt her again another moment where it’s okay to get a little emotional.

After Alice

After finishing the story, there are many things about this story that really caught my attention.

There are the morals of the story, the way the story is written/told, and the characters in the story. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland can be a controversial story if decoded correctly. I think this was the author’s intention, he just happened to be able to tell a children  story at the same time. Every generation that reads this story may find different meanings depending on the current state of where they live.

However, you can also find hidden meanings based on the time period that it was written in, but that is not the only factor that you have to take in to account. You must remember that this story was written for a child so, you could think that there is no hidden meaning at all.

This element of mystery is one of my favorite components of this story. The author is really trying to trick us, at first he does not want us to make anything of the characters and the setting but, we quickly discover that this is not the case.
Alice in Wonderland is full of hidden meanings and they are very intentional. Each character has many ways that it can be decoded and then once you have them all decoded and figured out you can do it again and connect them to each other in different ways. This story is also written so that people in different generations can find different meanings in the characters and story and find different ways to connect them. That is the reason that this story has stood the test of time and has earned the honer of being a classic. Hidden meanings are not the only strong suite of this long loved tail though.

Another great thing about it is simply the way it is written. Carroll does have a way with words (he would have to do all that hiding) and the way he tells the story is one of my favorite parts about it.  I thoroughly enjoyed Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and look forward to the day when I can share it with my children.

No Bounds

At first we see Wonderland as a magical dream land were every thing is perfect, when in reality it is a chaotic mad house. I think it is interesting that we as readers can not see the bad in something like Wonderland because, we like Alice are so fascinated by strange things that we see around us. If we take a closer look at Wonderland as a whole we can see that this is one messed up place that has no morals, and no bounds. Rabbits with watches, the craziest guy you will ever meet, smoking caterpillars, and beheading queens (just to name a few), sounds to me like this place could use some cleaning up.

What is the reason that all of these strange and some what terrible things don’t bother us at first?

The answer is, because we don’t look for hidden meaning, we don’t look under the surface. If we were to do that some of the things we might find could be frightening, the meaning of wonderland its self could be frightening. Why are we not scared then? Why do we continue to share this story with our children? We do because this is the story that we all want to hear the creation of a utopia of sorts, where anything is possible. That is what Alice is doing is it not? She is board, she wants something to do so, why not create a place where anything can happen. However she soon let her fantasy go out of control and what started as an innocent child’s play land became a place where there are no morals, and no bounds,and no sense of wright or wrong or, another way to put it would be, a place where they are all mad.

But, what does all of that say about Alice?

If see created this place in her mind does that mean Alice is mad, or immoral. We are never really given the answer to this question, it must be answered on your own. The way I see it is, even though Alice created a place with no morals or bounds does not mean that she does not have them, she innocent, childish thoughts are simply corrupted by the outside world. Now, I also do not think that Alice lives in a world with no morals or bounds but, that could simply be how Alice sees things or, how she is taught.