The Critique of Victorian Society in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass: Exploring the Social and Political Commentary Hidden Within the Stories
The Critique of Victorian Society in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass: Exploring the Social and Political Commentary Hidden Within the Stories
While Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are often seen as playful children’s stories, they also contain sharp critiques of Victorian society. Lewis Carroll subtly uses the absurdity and chaos of Wonderland and the Looking-Glass world to comment on the rigid social structures and expectations of the time.
In Wonderland, Alice’s interactions with authority figures like the Queen of Hearts and the Duchess highlight the arbitrary nature of power and the futility of blind obedience. Similarly, in Through the Looking-Glass, the theme of social order is subverted as Alice encounters a world where the norms are flipped, critiquing the status quo and questioning societal values like class, gender roles, and authority.
Through these fantastical worlds, Carroll critiques Victorian society’s rigid adherence to rules, class structures, and social hierarchies, challenging readers to reflect on the constraints of their own social norms. The whimsical nature of the stories allows for a deeper, more thoughtful critique of societal expectations, making these works both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
