Slide 1

Alices Adventures in WonderlandBy Lewis CarrollToday we will be taking an introductory glimpse at:

Lewis Carroll

A Historical Overview of Victorian Life and Literature

Meeting the Main Characters

Themes, Motifs, and Symbolism

Ms.Peskett's Middle School English Class1It will be during this time that I give an overview of Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland1

Lewis CarrollFacts about the Author:

Charles Lutwigde Dodgson was better know under the pseudonym or pen name of Lewis Carroll .

He grew up in Cheshire village of Daresbury, England.

He was an Author, Mathematician, Logician, and Anglican Deacon.

Attended Rugby and Oxfords schools

Ms.Peskett's Middle School English Class2January 27, 1832 14 January 1898 2Ms.Peskett's Middle School English Class3The Victorian Era:A Historical overviewThe Victorian Era was the time period that marked the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). This was a great time of change, but is overall remembered as a time which reflected on human refinement/sensibility, peace, ingenuity, and prosperity for England. Many important factors in this time were:The Reform of 1832 which made major changes to the electoral system . The abolishment of slavery in 1833The industrial and technological advancements taking placeLets take a look at a full time line of this exciting time:http://www.victorianweb.org/history/historytl.html

Ms.Peskett's Middle School English Class4

Victorian Lit3 Main Characteristics:Victorian Literature underwent drastic changes through the 1800s. Especially toward the end where of the century where many authors began to revolt against the Victorian ideals, and began to focus less on art for arts sake and more on realism and the aesthetics of the written word. As the literature moved farther away from its Neoclassic sibling, it began to find its own distinct attributes. Realism- Strong focus on the common experience, and began to reflect human progress (technology, science, etc.)

Moral Value- Allegories or stories that asserts moral purpose through use of both direct and indirect inferences to good and evil.

Idealism- the school of thought that contemplates men/women in relation to the universe and evolutionary studies. There is also a great emphasis placed on the topics of truth, justice, love, self exploration, and the meaning of life.

I would here discuss the 3 main characteristics, and how they reflected the history and the times. 4Ms.Peskett's Middle School English Class5

Main Characters

AliceThe White RabbitCheshire Cat

The Mad Hatter

Queen of HeartsCharacters and Allusions:

What is an Allusion?It is the creation of a character or text reference meant to emulate

Alice: Possibly modeled after Alice Liddle, the daughter of a fellow deacon

Mad as a hatter- expression came from the profession of making hats. Men were poisoned with mercury, the chemical used to stiffen the felt to make the hats with

Queen of hearts allusion to either Queen Victoria, or Queen Margret of Lancaster in the war of the roses. Red was the lancaster color

Cheshire cat: a possible allusion to Walcots Pair of Lyric Epistles . It may also be referencing the cat that was printed on dairy cheese of Cheshire. There was also a grinning cat face on the building across from where Carroll was born .

Alice: Possibly modeled after Alice Liddle, the daughter of a fellow deacon

Mad as a hatter- expression came from the profession of making hats. Men were pisened with mercury, the chemical used to stiffen the felt to make the hats with

Queen of hearts allusion to either Queen Victoria, or Queen Margret of Lancaster in the war of the roses. Red was the lancaster color

Chesire cat: a possible allusion to Walcots Pair of Lyric Epistles . It may also be referening the cat that was printed on dairy cheese of Chesire. There was also a grinning cat face on the building across from where Carroll was born .

5Ms.Peskett's Middle School English Class6

Themes, Motifs, and SymbolsBefore we begin reading, we should:

Know to pay close attention to details.

Take notice of the themes, motifs, and symbols that are found through out the story.

Take down any quotes you would like to discuss or share.

Themes: Coming of age & Loss of Innocence.

Motifs: Duality or Reflection, Dreams, Curiosity, Language (riddles, rhymes, assumptions)Symbols: Gardens, Mirrors