Reading Notes: Alice in Wonderland, Part B

Bibliography: all notes from stories in the Alice in Wonderland unit. Story source: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865).

Another round of notes for this week! I want to look at setting.

In Chapter 7, "A Mad Tea-Party," Carroll sets the scene well: "There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it and talking over its head." In fiction writing, being able to get your readers to see the picture in your mind is crucial if you want to communicate the story in your head. Carroll is specific in laying out this scene, which helps his audience visualize the scenario in this creative world. He uses details like "resting their elbows on it" to set up his chapter in a solid way.

Carroll also provides a great beginning to the eight chapter, "The Queen's Croquet-Ground." He writes that "A large rose-tree stood near the entrance of the garden: the roses growing on it were white, but there were three gardeners at it, busily painting them red." Notice how he uses descriptors such as "large," "white," "three," and "red." These simple details help make everything feel more vivid as a reader. He also tells us the type of tree and includes an adverb to describe the manner in which the gardeners are painting. Especially when writing about a strange event or any scene that may be unfamiliar to your readers, these easy-to-grasp details can be extremely helpful in framing a scene.

Chapter 11 features a strong introduction as well: "The King and Queen of Hearts were seated on their throne when they arrived with a great crowd assembled about them — all sorts of little birds and beasts, as well as the whole pack of cards: the Knave was standing before them, in chains, with a soldier on each side to guard him, and near the King was the White Rabbit, with a trumpet in one hand and a scroll of parchment in the other." Carroll again employs specific details to construct the scene for readers. His use of adjectives in subtle but helpful ways is something I want to emulate in my own storytelling.

I enjoyed the readings from this unit!

Another of John Tenniel's original engravings from 

Alice in Wonderland, 1865. Source: Wikimedia