2010-03-19, 03:01 AM
I have read the book, and it was like being on hallucinogens the whole read (even though the writer was not) And I would be glad to give you my interpretation on it (considering its my most favorite book EVAR) it would be my pleasure!! So let me dive right in here...
I do believe that presuming people innocent until proven guilty is indeed an extension of our human rights..and I also believe that anyone/everyone deserves a fair trial (yes, everyone) But I don't think there is any historical backing here, I believe the story is about Alice learning to grow up and face adulthood, and the growing/shrinking symbolizes the physical changes that comes along with that. Although that isn't really symbolism but more of a literal interpretation
I don't think there's any real significance to the characters being animals other then the fact that the story was originally told to a girl (named Alice Liddell) in installments and eventually put on paper per her request (as she got older) So, I think it was more just to make the concepts easier to grasp to a 10yr old. BUT I do believe the entire story is rooted in her identity doubts/instabilities along with the more obvious theme of her growing up. Essentially, she resolves it by accepting it and leaving the child-like views/behavior behind her. And since the story revolves/evolves around her, the other characters really just play their role and represent the inane rules (which adults follow blindly), bad habits and so forth. Leaving whether they are recurrent or not moot since she accepts it and moves on. (wakes up)
The former, methinks, but not so much intellect because I find her to be quite rational/sane. I think it's more her accepting and coping with the madness that is adulthood/the adult world.
No, ultimately its the same result so it would be pointless imo. But then again, overlook a detail and it could change everything...
I don't really think it matters so much as to it that they're all just antagonists baffling and confusion and creating conflict after conflict building up until the trial. They all just play their part and it's all relative to the world as seen through the eyes of a child.
Well, the Cheshire Cat does say Alice is mad simply by being in Wonderland 'we're all mad here' so because she is there she is mad? It goes along with what you said, but my belief is this: You cannot explain something that is irrational, rationally. To try and do so is (within itself) crazy. But then again, I DO breathe when I sleep, and sleep when I breathe...and I eat what I see and see what I eat...but not ALL I see I eat...Oh great, now I'm going quite mad..
I can't say specifically about what school means, but will say this (in conclusion to this epic long reply): Sticking with my theme of growing up and changing, it's apparent that what she sees is from a child's POV and slowly she begins to understand/accept all the incomprehensible and arbitrary behavior of those she encounters. In order to do so she has to overcome the fantastic/innocent views of childhood. Her ceaseless curiosity lead her to cope/manage up until the end when she declares it all nonsense ~ she is then too mature to stay in Wonderland ( the world of children) and wakes up in the "real" world (the world of adults.) Now a little wiser and acceptant to her path of growing up and living in the Victorian era. (Ewww, etiquette!)
PHEW!
Please bear in mind this is all only my opinion. This book has been interpreted over and over for a hundred years and still causes critics and kids alike to wonder upon wonder what is written "between the lines." So there are so many opinions out there, it seems mostly to just lean towards what one can relate to the most. Either way, I enjoyed it and I hope it gave you some insight into...my...insight? :f6:
The rest of you (Kurt
) should seriously read the book! AND Through the Looking Glass (which is ever-so more dark and scary)
[COLOR="Green"]`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.[/COLOR]
Good stuff, two thumbs up! <3
Quote:Do you feel that presumption of innocence is a political privilege or an extension of our natural human rights? Does everyone deserve the right to have a trial including corrupt politicians like Rod Blagojevich or even leaders such as Saddam Hussein? Are there historical connotations to this event? After all, Alice didn't bother to refute the Queen with the argument of due process until she grows back to her normal height and no longer is afraid of her threats.
I do believe that presuming people innocent until proven guilty is indeed an extension of our human rights..and I also believe that anyone/everyone deserves a fair trial (yes, everyone) But I don't think there is any historical backing here, I believe the story is about Alice learning to grow up and face adulthood, and the growing/shrinking symbolizes the physical changes that comes along with that. Although that isn't really symbolism but more of a literal interpretation
Quote:Is there a reason why animals are used rather than humans? Throughout the course of the book does Alice mature in her interaction with these animals? Are the animals mature themselves in how they conduct their business? Does Alice go through any identity issues? Are these issue adequately resolved by the end of the story? Do the animals at the end of the story remember Alice? Does it really matter at the end of the story which characters are recurrent characters?
I don't think there's any real significance to the characters being animals other then the fact that the story was originally told to a girl (named Alice Liddell) in installments and eventually put on paper per her request (as she got older) So, I think it was more just to make the concepts easier to grasp to a 10yr old. BUT I do believe the entire story is rooted in her identity doubts/instabilities along with the more obvious theme of her growing up. Essentially, she resolves it by accepting it and leaving the child-like views/behavior behind her. And since the story revolves/evolves around her, the other characters really just play their role and represent the inane rules (which adults follow blindly), bad habits and so forth. Leaving whether they are recurrent or not moot since she accepts it and moves on. (wakes up)
Quote:Does Alice's rationalization of the events around her reflect her level of intellect? Or does her level of intellect reflect the rationalization of the events around her?
The former, methinks, but not so much intellect because I find her to be quite rational/sane. I think it's more her accepting and coping with the madness that is adulthood/the adult world.
Quote:If there are two options that are close enough in nature and have the same result, does it really matter to differentiate between the two options? Do the consequences bear an impact on how much attention is given to the details?
No, ultimately its the same result so it would be pointless imo. But then again, overlook a detail and it could change everything...
Quote:Do you feel that the Duchess in the following sentence got her point across to the cook? Or did Lewis Carroll create the cook to have a generally disrespectful personality? Is the cook following the demands of the Duchess or is the cook disrespectful to begin with? Does it really matter?
I don't really think it matters so much as to it that they're all just antagonists baffling and confusion and creating conflict after conflict building up until the trial. They all just play their part and it's all relative to the world as seen through the eyes of a child.
Quote:Do you concur with the cat's logical pattern of what it means to be mad? Well then, if a when b, and c when d. I'm mad, if a when d and c when b. How would you logically consider madness? How about the following statements?
Well, the Cheshire Cat does say Alice is mad simply by being in Wonderland 'we're all mad here' so because she is there she is mad? It goes along with what you said, but my belief is this: You cannot explain something that is irrational, rationally. To try and do so is (within itself) crazy. But then again, I DO breathe when I sleep, and sleep when I breathe...and I eat what I see and see what I eat...but not ALL I see I eat...Oh great, now I'm going quite mad..
Quote:The Gryphon and the Mock Turtle discuss school yet can't agree with Alice on what school means. What do you think is the message within this dialogue?
I can't say specifically about what school means, but will say this (in conclusion to this epic long reply): Sticking with my theme of growing up and changing, it's apparent that what she sees is from a child's POV and slowly she begins to understand/accept all the incomprehensible and arbitrary behavior of those she encounters. In order to do so she has to overcome the fantastic/innocent views of childhood. Her ceaseless curiosity lead her to cope/manage up until the end when she declares it all nonsense ~ she is then too mature to stay in Wonderland ( the world of children) and wakes up in the "real" world (the world of adults.) Now a little wiser and acceptant to her path of growing up and living in the Victorian era. (Ewww, etiquette!)
PHEW!
Please bear in mind this is all only my opinion. This book has been interpreted over and over for a hundred years and still causes critics and kids alike to wonder upon wonder what is written "between the lines." So there are so many opinions out there, it seems mostly to just lean towards what one can relate to the most. Either way, I enjoyed it and I hope it gave you some insight into...my...insight? :f6:
The rest of you (Kurt
) should seriously read the book! AND Through the Looking Glass (which is ever-so more dark and scary) [COLOR="Green"]`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.[/COLOR]
Good stuff, two thumbs up! <3