Alice's Adventures In Wonderland

“There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural) […].”

When Alice enters Wonderland, she wonders if she woke up different that morning. The Cheshire Cat presents a similar idea when he tells her that she would not have come to Wonderland if she weren’t “mad.” Perhaps something Alice experienced that morning or the day before predisposed her to have a strange dream. Carroll does not provide any details about Alice’s life previous to her dreaming about Wonderland, but the dream symbolizes that she is experiencing a moment of change.

“‘Curiouser and curiouser!’ cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for a moment she quite forgot how to speak good English) […].”

This line has become famous because it encapsulates the feeling of entering a fantasy world, and it was become a common expression for conveying that something is becoming increasingly confounding. The incorrect grammar is the first instance of Carroll’s play with language.

“‘It was much pleasanter at home,’ thought poor Alice, ‘when one wasn’t always growing larger and smaller, and being ordered about by mice and rabbits. I almost wish I hadn’t gone down that rabbit-hole—and yet—and yet—it’s rather curious, you know, this sort of life!’”

Despite Alice’s discomfort at the changes she undergoes, her curiosity compels her to continue exploring. This shows that Alice is willing to face uncertainty rather than lead a safe but boring life.