The Coming of Age Theme in Alice’s Adventures in...

Many have compared life to a journey over the course of which, one experiences many tumultuous changes and transitions. On this journey, the human body continually undergoes a developmental pattern of physical, mental, and social modifications. Even in the realm of literature, fictional characters inevitably follow this fate. In literature, the stage between childhood innocence and adulthood transforms characters, this is frequently referred to as coming of age. Because all humans experience this transition, it establishes coming of age as a timeless universal literary theme. Among such coming of age novels is Lewis Carroll’s tale about a seven-year-old Victorian girl named Alice. In the novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,†¦show more content†¦Issues concerning her size, identity, and her social exchanges with both Wonderland and its creatures spur and characterize Alice’s development towards becoming a young woman. In particular, Alice’s fluctuating size and â€Å"opening out like† (Carroll 11) a telescope parallel with a child’s seemingly spontaneous growth spurts, which occur frequently and most noticeably during pre-adolescent and adolescent years. In fact, Alice Liddell, the inspiration for the original tale, was ten when Lewis Carroll (the pen name of Charles Dodgson) first told the tale (Vallone 245). In addition, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland began as tale about the adventures of seven year-old Alice Liddell (Vallone 245). In reality, most children like Alice Liddell grow, but in Wonderland, Alice changed drastically and symbolically. Physically Alice’s growth correlates in many instances with her behavior. For instance, prior to drinking the mysterious liquid, Alice ponders on the substance’s toxicity, however, she fails to consider possible outcomes while forgetting the golden key. Consequently, Alice grew smaller as her behavior was incongr uous to a practical and experienced adult. In contrast prior to consuming the cookie, Alice muses â€Å"‘if it makes me grow larger, I can reach the key; and if it makes me grow smaller, I can creep under the door so either way I’ll get into the garden’† (Carroll 9). Hence, Alice exemplifies problemShow MoreRelatedLewis Carroll s Alice s Adventures1292 Words   |  6 Pagesdeeper meaning concealed beneath the surface of the text. Lewis Carroll, however, is an exception to this rule. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is widely known as an amusing and lighthearted children’s story, yet beneath its surface lies many hidden truths. Unlike most authors, Carroll incorporates a great deal of nonsense into his work. Putting readers through many loops in order to decode his skewed logic, is what allows Carroll to stand apart from other authors. Hamidreza Hossein MikhchiRead MoreThe Novel Alice s Adventures, Alice Falls Asleep A nd Into The Curious World Of Wonderland2634 Words   |  11 Pagesand adulthood, characters transform in what is referred to as coming of age, otherwise known as adolescence. Because all humans experience this transition, it establishes coming of age as a timeless universal literary theme. Among coming of age novels include Lewis Carroll’s tale about a seven-year-old Victorian girl named Alice. In the novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice falls asleep and into the curious world of Wonderland. Alice assuages and manages inter-conflicts, such as her identityRead MoreAlice In Wonderland Identity Crisis Essay1204 Words   |  5 PagesLewis Carroll Alice Adventures in Wonderland is a story that every child wanted to read in the Victorian Era. The education system of the Victorian Era limited the thoughts, speech and actions of individuals. 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His grandfather, another Charles Dodgson, had been an army captain and ended up being killed in battle, leaving two children behind. The elder son, Charles, went to Westminster and then Oxford. This Charles married his cousin in 1827 and became a country parson. Out of this marriageRead MoreSummary Of The Book Alice s Adventures 1779 Words   |  8 PagesSamuel English Mr. Poetzinger Freshman Honors English 25th, January 2015 Alice’s not so Wonderful Adventure in Wonderland In the novel, â€Å"Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland† written by Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), a young teenager in the midst of the transition between childhood and becoming an adult stumbles around in a very confusing world. Alice goes through a variety of absurd physical changes. The