A dream, a life
Though I have heard about great work since young, I truly got the free time to savor the masterpiece the other day. And naturally, it leaves me a profound impression.
The author, Lewis Carroll, who was originally called Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was born in Cheshire County, England and serves as a math lecturer in Christian College of University of Oxford. However, he was a timid man that was not good at international communication, even with fluency disorders. In spite of these, his wide interests make him attain accomplishments in novel, poem, logic, and other aspects. Simultaneously, he is an outstanding photographer.
The book was originally written for the writer’s three daughters, especially his second daughter, who was also named Alice. As is universally recognized, the active and lovely girl was the prototype of the leading character. She was fond of the interesting story and wanted his father, the author to write it down. At first, the book was titled “Alice’s Adventures underground”. But under the support of his friends, the author revised, expanded and polished it and the book was finally published as “Alice Adventures in Wonderland”.
When the book first appeared, it made a hit that not only children liked it, but also many adults did so. Shortly after, Lewis decided to write a similar book named “Through the Looking Glass”, which became “sister article” with the latter one, prevailing over the world.
Actually, the book describes a dream with numerous fantastic things of a little girl but shows a happy time of childhood, successfully resonating with people. The cause of the story is a rabbit with a pendant watch, who made Alice follow and fall into an extremely deep treehole, coming to a bizarre world, where everything was thought crazy in the little girl’s mind. After experiencing countless incredible things, Alice was lucky to escape from the chase of the brutal queen and waked up from the absurd dream.
Maybe in the sight of some readers, it is just like a fairy story. But to some extent, it is a satire, lampooning the reality of the United Kingdom. As can be seen from the book, the fast-running rabbit with a pendant watch represents the timid and careful public, the Queen who shouts “Off with her head! Off—” is representative of the dictator, the gardeners who printed to white roses to be red are the embodiment of chattering civil servants with my eyes closed, and the Duchess who always talks off the mark symbolizing the madcap and innocent people.
If the readers only see the characters but not think about why they behave so, they are not qualified to say they have read the book. The sarcasm is so pungent maybe not many people can get it. It is the very society that created such a great work, which still prevails after 100 years.
Now we look into the content, there are quite many places worth appreciating. The rabbit always shouts “I am late”, but actually it is not his problem. There is something wrong with his pendant watch. Such a timid and careful mind makes him a slaver, who had got to serve for the Queen. And the caterpillar, acting as a supreme animal, only asks “Who are you” but never thinks about who himself is. And mostly, he is irritable, showing his bad temper to Alice. I think it is a great hit to a little girl who left her family and adventured alone. People may feel mercy for her. When at the mad tea-party, her hope nearly crumbled to nothing. Imagining yourself alone in somewhere crazy people gather,it is likely to be mad, too. This is why a society can influence the individuals. And the most splendid part is the last chapter, “The Queen’s Croquet-Ground”,pulling the story to a climax. In this country, the King seems to be nothing and the Queen controls everything. The sentence can be always heard is “Off with her head! Off—”. Even the life of everybody is grasped in the Queen’s hand. And all soldiers are only salvers, being forced to please the Queen.And the Cheshire cat, who always brings out many interesting but recondite questions, is very naughty. He can hide himself and play a practical joke on others, even the Queen. Nothing is normal, but nothing is impossible. As is said by the mouse, “That is important”. Everyone has his own sense of worth. It is quite surprising that the author had such excellent style of writing to rein all roles.
In fact, I went to watch the cartoon of the book. Though there are many differences between the film and the original work, the spirit of absurdism is shown in both.
In conclusion, what I obtain from the book is not only the imagination, but also the wise eyes to outguess the society where we live.
Undoubtedly, this is a perfect book to share with young children. I think it would be an excellent choice to read to kids right before bed. If someone asks me for recommendation, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is a preference. I sincerely hope that the masterpiece can shine in the sky of literature for ever.
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