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

Reading Notes: Alice in Wonderland, Part A

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

Here are this week's reading notes, part A!

I want to focus on beautiful/strong/interesting sentences for this week, one of my favorite ways to take notes for this class. 

In the first chapter of the book, "Down the Rabbit-Hole" (which is familiar to most of us), Carroll describes Alice after following the rabbit into the rabbit-hole: "In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again." I love the concept of going somewhere on an impulse without considering how you might return home. This sentence highlights the reckless spirit of adventure that can be so fun to be captured by. 

Later on in the story, after Alice has made it down the rabbit-hole, Carroll pens another great sentence: "For, you see, so many out-of-the-way things had happened lately that Alice had begun to think that very few things indeed were really impossible." This imaginative world has been building and building, increasing in creativity and extraordinary features as the story progresses. This is an acknowledgement of the wildness of this creative world, which seems to be without limits. I enjoyed this sentence, as it indicates what Alice (or any of us!) would be thinking after those experiences.

In chapter five, called "Advice from a Caterpillar," Carroll writes, "The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice." This sentence sets a vivid scene instantly. Carroll helps us imagine this otherworldly scene and uses powerful adjectives to describe the tone of the caterpillar's voice. This type of sentence can help immerse readers in the world of a highly imaginative tale.

Buried in a fast-paced scene in the "Pig and Pepper" chapter, Carroll uses the voice of the duchess character to make an interesting observation: "'If everybody minded their own business,' the Duchess said in a hoarse growl, 'the world would go round a deal faster than it does.'" It's always a clever trick as a writer to use unlikely, non-central characters to make universal commentary. This instance is effective and stands out as a well-placed and sharp sentence.

This week's reading has been so far! Carroll is a fantastic writer.

John Tenniel's original engraving of the rabbit from 

Alice in Wonderland, 1865. Source: Wikimedia