Complete Alice in Wonderland - L. Carroll [107]
Chapter XII
Which Do You Think It Was?: It’s a grave question, with no certain answer. If Alice was dreaming, then Looking-Glass Land was her own creation, and she was simply struggling with different aspects of herself until she resolved to begin growing up. If the Red King was dreaming, then Looking-Glass Land was a trial of life and death, since Alice would have “gone out like a candle” if she had not woken up in time.
The Closing Poem
Still She Haunts Me: This is Carroll’s farewell to the Alice of youth. As Alice grows up and begins to lose interest in imagination and grows enamored with the reality of life, there is no real place for Carroll to be with her any longer. But he remembers her with an eternal affection, and for that reason alone these stories were written down.
The Name in Farewell: The first letters of each line spell out ALICE PLEASANCE LIDDELL.
The Wasp in a Wig
The Nature of the Wasp: The Wasp character is a continuation and extension of the concept introduced by the Gnat: namely, the idea of the downtrodden lower class with their own hopes, insights and sorrows. Whereas the Gnat was morbidly aware of his life’s futility and nearness to death, the Wasp is similarly very old and resigned in his belief that nothing will ever change. His insights come not through mere depression, but through defeating experience. The fact that a young girl as well-to-do as Alice is willing to speak with him, however, gives him a glimmer of hope.
Worrity: This simply means “worry,” but the usage tells us that the Wasp has probably always belonged to the struggling lower class.
The Latest News: This aside is a parody of those African and Indian adventures that were often in the Victorian papers, as technology rushed through the world and colonialism marched boldly on.
“I Think I Must Be Going Now”: Alice has shown a considerable degree of patience with the crotchety Wasp, and much goodwill. Carroll probably intended this episode to show that Alice did not simply desire to be a Queen, but she was also worthy of it. The fact that Alice gently departs from the crotchety Wasp—but still departs, all the same—tells us much not only about the dream-child, but also about the young lady Alice Pleasance Liddell.
Speculative Chronology of Looking-Glass Land
By Kent David Kelly
THE FOLLOWING dates, as before, can be derived from the hints and allusions hidden throughout the text.
June 3, 1758 (Saturday): The White Queen is born. (We can calculate this day by the White Queen’s precise reckoning of her age during her conversation with Alice.)
November, 1765: The White Queen, practicing hard, teaches herself the art of believing as many as six impossible things before breakfast. (The White Queen says to Alice, “When I was your age ...” which indicates seven-and-one-half years of age.)
October?, 1859: The Hatter is released from prison in Wonderland.
November 1, 1859 (Tuesday): A massive thunderstorm passes through Looking-Glass Land.
November 3, 1859 (Thursday): This is the day before the chess match begins in Looking-Glass Land. The Red Queen marshals her forces. The White Queen, meanwhile, loses her comb. (The White Queen also tells us that she has a hippopotamus in her home on Thursdays!)
November 4, 1859 (Friday): Alice has her adventures in Looking-Glass Land. (She is exactly seven and one-half years old, and her birthday was on May 4, 1852.)
November 4, 1859 (Early Afternoon): Lewis Carroll and Alice play chess in the Deanery drawing-room. Dinah, meanwhile, grooms the black kitten.
November 4, 1859 (Early Afternoon): The chess match between red and white begins in Looking-Glass Land. (Most likely, at the same time that Alice begins playing chess in the Deanery.)
November 4, 1859 (Throughout the Afternoon): In Looking-Glass Land, many of the chess pieces are captured, and red begins to win the match.
November 4, 1859 (Mid-Afternoon): Alice plays with Kitty