Alices' I Origin story

I. March (Word Wednesday)

Theme: Alice in Wonderland; March Madness

Intro:"I've seen hatters before; the March Hare will be much the most interesting, and perhaps as this is May it won't be raving mad--at least not so mad as it was in March”. Says Alice.

Literature

Genre: Children’s Fantasy Fiction (historical fiction and nonfiction, poetry; Informational expositions, argumentation and procedural events.

Text Structure and Purpose: Irrational literary nonsense.

Authors Craft: In "Alice in Wonderland," Lewis Carroll employs a range of writing techniques including absurd logic, playful language, anthropomorphism, nonsensical dialogue, wordplay, dreamlike imagery, and a blend of the real and fantastical to create a surreal and whimsical world that challenges the reader's perception of reality, while often appearing as a children's story on the surface.

Historical: Victorian England 1865-1890 (approximate for Alice)

Alice in Wonderland (Alice in Underworld). “Who are YOU?” said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, “I–I hardly know, sir, just at present– at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”

“What do you mean by that?” said the Caterpillar sternly. “Explain yourself!”

“I can’t explain MYSELF, I’m afraid, sir” said Alice, “because I’m not myself, you see.”

“I don’t see,” said the Caterpillar.

White Rabbit- “I’m Late.” Many meanings over time.

Mad Hatter- “Mad” Question. What makes one mad?

Cheshire Cat- Faintly comes and goes. Trusted?

Blue Caterpillar- Transformation.

*Red Queen of Hearts- All interpretations are consistently hostile. (see any image).

“Eat Me” “Drink Me” confections- Changes size of Alice.

Little known but fun chapters include: The Mock Turtle, Gryphon, The Duchess, The King of Hearts,

Poetry: How doth the little crocodile (Carroll) and other Poems.

How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in,
With gently smiling jaws!

Lyrical: Mock Turtle Soup (my favorite in the book) He’s sad because he used to be a “real turtle.”

As Alice left, the mock turtle was still crying and singing a song about turtle soup:

Beautiful Soup, so rich and green,
Waiting in a hot tureen!
Who for such dainties would not stoop?
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!… Sooooooooooop.

*Important to note that the two main books are very different. Disney’s 1951 version is closer to the books than the 2016 and 2020 Tim Burton/ Disneys interpretations, which blends the two stories.

*Also important-all versions essentially leave out the close bond between Alice and her sister who is with her by the tree in the end and beginning of her journey. Older sister is reading a book without pictures (more grown up book), Alice falls asleep. Adventur-ers, and wakes up in the lap of her sister’s hand gently brushing away some leaves, which in Alices’ dream- were playing cards in her face. Her sister reminisces by the tree recalling her own dream adventure and transformation.

Although credited for Alice and her adventures in Wonderland (Underworld), Lewis Carroll’s inspiration may have come from older stories. Lewis Carroll deciphered his pen name from Charles Lutwidge Dodgson in ancient Latin, for example.

Similar themes appear in books such as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz 1902, which tells the story of Dorthy, another little girl in a blue dress who descends into travels confronting a wicked witch, a good witch, munchkins, a scarecrow, a woodsman, and a lion. She exposes Oz and returns to the farm believing it was all a dream. Like Alice.

Alice and Dorthy’s adventures seem to follow an older theme, yet. Inanna, who descends into the underworld, meets her sister and is transformed after passing through 7 guarded gates; and three days later, appears different: At the first gate, The Descent of Inanna. 4000 BCE.

Inanna knocks gently.
A gatekeeper asks, “who are you and why have you come?”
She approaches the sixth gate feeling increasingly vulnerable. She knocks hesitantly. “My name is Inanna. And… I hardly remember what I came here for…”

Inanna is an ancient Mesopotamian myth story. The Epic of Gilgamesh meshes with Inanna.

I know the Epic of Gilgamesh, more. It is in most World History text books. Inanna is not mentioned. Her myth story however, seems to be re-written, re-Interpreted, repeatedly over time. In Gilgamesh, (and AI)

Inanna is described as “obsessive, petulant, passionate, and dangerous”

Gilgamesh rejects Inanna's advances because she is known to have killed and tortured many of her previous lovers
Inanna is associated with the planet Venus

As for Alice in Wonderland, interpretations are essential for understanding. The story, the how (and the why, and the when) and its interpretation, says more about social, political and intellectual ideology of the time it’s re-written. It is also important because once the story is rewritten and interpreted with the intention of (think public schools and publishing companies), it then becomes property.

Public Domain: The original books "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass" are in the public domain, meaning anyone can create works based on them.

Disney's Ownership:
Disney acquired the film rights to Lewis Carroll's story in 1938 and created the iconic animated film "Alice in Wonderland" (1951).
Copyrighted Work:
The Disney film, along with its characters, music, and artwork, are protected by copyright.
Trademarks:
Disney also holds trademarks for names like "Alice in Wonderland".
Public Domain Reminder:
It's important to note that while Disney can't prevent others from using the story itself, they can prevent others from making a film or other work that is substantially similar to their copyrighted work or uses their registered trademarks.

Which story do you know better? Books or Movie? What is the opportunity cost? Who owns the story of Alice?

Who ARE You? Who are your influencers? To what degree do stories have on you? What if that changed?

Whooooooo ARE, You?