Complete Alice in Wonderland - L. Carroll [129]
A Question of Privacy: When Alice is comparing herself to other girls, the names used are Gertrude and Florence. Since these were the names of two of Alice’s actual companions, the names were politely changed to Ada and Mabel for publication.
Chapter II
“Speak English!”: This admonition to the Dodo (Lewis Carroll) is given by his friend, the Duck (Robinson Duckworth). In the published version, the speaker was changed to the Eaglet, perhaps to put forth Edith Liddell’s personality in a subtle manner that would be completely unnoticed by the contemporary (Victorian) reader.
The House on the River: The Dodo recommends that Alice and the party should get dry in a house. This relates to a real-life incident, in which Lewis Carroll had taken the Liddell children out onto the River Isis, and they had gotten drenched and then taken shelter. Since this incident would be amusing only to someone who had “been there,” the published version was changed (quite dramatically) to feature the caucus-race instead. Carroll’s diary reports on the matter (June 17, 1862) as follows: “About a mile above Nuneham heavy rain came on, and after bearing it a short time I settled that we had better leave the boat and walk: 3 miles of this drenched us all pretty well. I went on first with the children, as they could walk much faster than Elizabeth, and took them to the only house I knew in Sanford. ... I left them ... to get their clothes dried ...”
A Long and Sad Tale: The Mouse’s tale here is completely different from the published version. The version here is exceedingly violent, resulting in the Mouse’s family being crushed to death by the paws of the dog. Carroll must have decided this was far too morbid for other children, and so the tale was changed to imply death, but by no means to feature it.
The Judgmental Canary: In the published version, when Alice begins talking about Dinah the cat, the Canary mother ushers her children away, encouraging them to go to bed. In the original, however, the Canary disdainfully passes judgment on Alice, saying to her children, “She’s no fit company for you!”
The Singing Duck: Robinson Duckworth was quite a talented singer, and used to regale Lewis Carroll and the Liddell sisters with many a song on the River Isis. Alice mentions here that the Duck was singing as he came ashore. Since this was a winking inside reference a stranger would not understand, this reference was removed for publication.
Mention of the Marchioness: In the original manuscript, the noblewoman of Wonderland’s forest is known as the Marchioness. (A Marchioness is less powerful than a Duchess, but more powerful than a Countess.) Carroll may have decided that the title was too obscure for a general audience, and so the term “Duchess” was used instead.
The Fear and the Fist: Carroll’s illustration of the White Rabbit shows him shaking a fist-paw angrily at Alice, as he mistakes her for Mary Ann and more forcibly demands that she fetch his belongings for him. This stronger version of the scene makes Alice’s fear quite clear, as she runs off to fulfill her errand. But the incident may have been seen as being too stern for a children’s book, and Sir John Tenniel chose not to replicate this illustration for the published version.
Rabbit and Esquire: The brass name-plate on White Rabbit’s home reads “W. Rabbit, Esq.,” instead of simply “W. Rabbit.” This tells us not only that the Rabbit regards himself as holding some importance, but also that he may aspire to nobility, without being noble himself! This interesting detail tells us much about the White Rabbit’s personality. The reason for its removal is unknown.
Servants to the Rabbit: Carroll’s illustration shows the Rabbit and the Guinea Pigs administering “healing” to poor Bill. The Rabbit’s other servants are shown as well; we can see (white) mice, a squirrel, and small birds of various kinds. The mysterious Pat is likely shown here, but his species remains unknown. (Some say that Pat is