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.
6. The Role of Animals and Anthropomorphism in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass: Analyzing the Significance of Talking Animals and Their Social Roles
Talking animals play an essential role in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, each imbued with human traits and social roles. Lewis Carroll’s use of anthropomorphism in these works is not only a source of whimsy but also a tool for exploring social behaviors and human nature.
In Wonderland, characters like the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, and the Caterpillar reflect various human archetypes, such as the guide, the bureaucrat, and the philosopher. These animals often play important roles in Alice’s journey, offering advice, riddles, or challenges that force her to question the world around her. In Through the Looking-Glass, the characters are similarly anthropomorphized, with animals like Tweedledum and Tweedledee representing the absurdity of conflict and duality.
By giving animals human characteristics, Carroll invites readers to reflect on the roles they play in society and the human tendency to project societal norms and structures onto the natural world. The talking animals serve as both comical figures and profound social commentators, illustrating the absurdity and contradictions inherent in human society.
