Traditionally, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are both considered stories for children. If you were asked to support the contention that these are actually stories for adults, how would you defend this?Although a child in the story, Alice often exhibits mature characteristics; and the adult characters often exhibit childish behavior. Do you consider these books to be an adult's view of childhood, or a child's view of adulthood?
Throughout her adventures, Alice grapples with her idenity. While this is a common feature of most children's books, Alice's questioning often inadvertently invokes the ideas of western philosophers from Plato to Bishop Berkeley. What philosophical issues about identity does Alice raise?
What is the significance of the mushroom that Alice eats during her adventures?
Since their publication, many readers have found material in Carroll's book unsuitable for children. Which parts of the Alice books, if any, do you think are unfit, or even harmful, to children today?
And last but not least how did you like the book(s) and how do you compare it to all the movie versions out there?
If I were to defend that these books were written for adults and not children I would start by saying they are actually a little scary. That's my defense and the poems are sometimes a bit strange and could be hard for children to understand.
ReplyDeleteI would say it's a child's version of adulthood. Just because I think children always want to grow up. They think that being an adult is all about doing what you want without people telling you what to do etc... and I feel Alice is always looking to be bigger. Which she becomes literally!
Not sure why I put this question in here..
I do not think a book that makes you use your imgaination is harmful to children in anyway.
I really enjoyed both books and I really liked how it is exactly as dreams are. Jumping from one thing to another...people and scenery changing without sense. Haven't seen the new Tim Burton version but I hear it just uses the characters and background of Wonderland and isn't actually Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Comparing it to the Disney one I say it's not far off really. The Disney version is just a mix of scenes from both books.
I think it's an adults view of what a child's view should be. I know that is not that clear but it's all I got on that fact.
ReplyDeleteI have no opinion on the philosophy of this book. As far as the mushrooms go, I suppose it depends on how you want to look at this. I mean if you went the route that this should not be a children's book then the mushrooms would probably be psychedelic. The caterpillar would probably be a stoner and not just someone who enjoys hookah. Again, if this is how you view it.
I do agree with Lisa that children do always want to grow up and I suppose this is new to the way I view this.
I think there is nothing wrong with this book for children, if parents hold back on things like this book then, well then I judge them.
I saw the new movie and I have to say it was quite amazing, different from the movie, a little darker, without being dark. It was fun to watch with amazing costumes.