Friday 1 April 2011

A is for...Alice

Alice is a rather curious child with a penchant for white rabbits. The main curiosity for me is how she keeps her blue and white frock spotless as she tumbles down rabbit holes, while my tights get snagged on a gentle walk to the train station. Alice acts as our sensible guide through a world of chaos, although it was definitely a gentler age. If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee.

The notion of ‘Wonderland’ made me realise how freaky it would be if proper dreams came true. The unpredictable nature of subconscious night-time slumbering is perfectly played out in Alice’s adventures – just when she thinks she has a handle on the situation it all changes - which is actually quite frightening.

As a child I bonded with Alice over the love of her cat, Dinah. What an elegant name for a cat! I also think many adult women can relate to Alice, in the way that her size keeps shrinking and expanding. The same thing happens to me with chocolate, although I’ve yet to discover which side of the bar will make me grow smaller. I keep finding the side that makes me grow bigger. In honour of Alice I’ll keep looking.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Published: 1865
Author: Lewis Carroll
Illustrations: Sir John Tenniel

Curious fact one: I can recite the Jabberwocky.
Curious fact two: I’m rather fond of momeraths.
Curious fact three: I get sleepy during the song ‘All in the Golden Months of June’ in the Disney cartoon of Alice.
Curious fact four: I don’t like the Mock Turtle.
Curious fact five: Me and my good friend R have been parodying ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter’ poem in birthday cards since we were teenagers.

Three A-Z Highlights!
Roza M at A day into the writer posts about Ambition
Wendy Tyler Ryan posts about A Love Rekindled
Jacqueline at Chez Mukweto posts about Amigurumi, Apples, and Answer

70 comments:

Ellie Garratt said...

Do you know I've never read Alice in Wonderland? I must read it.

Ooo...I understand the shrinking and expanding bit well.

Ellie Garratt

Eliza said...

I must read Alice in Wonderland, it just didnt appeal as a child, I have it on my kindle, it'll be the next to read. I can never stay clean either, probably another reason I didn't want anything to do with Alice :-)

Anonymous said...

LOL! Fun entry. I don't think I've actually read the book either. I see it as less whimsical and more as her bad dream like the black and white film version :O)

Jennifer Shirk said...

That's so funny because I never read Alice in Wonderland either. I just know the Disney movie extremely well. :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm afraid I got rather put off this book as a child, by seeing the bit of the cartoon version where she invites herself to the Mad Hatter's tea party. I'm afraid I thought she was a very ill-bred little girl. :S

Also, if someone says there's no room at their party, when there's obviously TONS of room... can the child not take a hint?? :D

However, I may be prepared to give Alice a second chance, since you vouch for her. :)

And I do like "Jabberwocky". I can recite a fair bit of it, too! I just never read the rest of the book. :D

wannabe a writer said...

This post amused me so much especially the drink pee assumption.

As for expanding and shirinking, well I seem to be doing more of the former and not that much of the latter! Must try harder.

Linda

Ruth Fanshaw said...

Whoops, didn't mean to post that anonymously! :D

Jan Morrison said...

I agree! And I had a cat called Dinah - she was a pip! For my step-dot's birthday last year, I embroidered a jacket with the mad hatter...she loved it.
come on over and see how I handled A at Jan Morrison

Sarah said...

A great reminder of a book from my childhood. Great start to the blogfest!

Liz P said...

I've never actually read Alice in Wonderland. I remember seeing a TV special back in the 90's with the Jabberwocky and man, was that thing scary! I'll have to read the original story at some point.

Manzanita said...

Timeless Alice. I thought every child had read Alice but I guess not.Bet they'll read it now.
Manzanita
Wanna buy a duck

Sophia said...

Your line about only finding the side of the chocolate bar that makes you grow made me smile. I love that you can recite the 'Jabberwocky'-- that poem and Dr. Seuss books are fantastic reminders to have fun with words. And you and your friend R sound like pretty cool people, I wish I had such a fun tradition!
- Sophia.

mooderino said...

I memorised Jabberwocky as a child too, not sure why either. Great post.
regards
mood
Moody Writing Blog

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the highlight! did not even know about that. Great entry!!!

Misha Gerrick said...

I've actually never read Alice.

This has to change!

Nice to meet you. :-)

Natalie Decker said...

I love Alice in wonderland. I just read the book a few months ago again. I watch the Newest movie a lot. Great Post!

L.A. Colvin said...

Loved your curious facts!! Great post. see ya round

Trevor Peck said...

"If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee." Still laughing over that one. Great post - just stopped by from the A2Z.

Grace & Peace

baygirl32 said...

Alice in Wonderland is kiddo's favorite book.

can't wait to see more of the alphabet with you

http://baygirl32.blogspot.com

Bev Hankins said...

Great entry! I love Alice in Wonderland in all its various forms.

Stopping by on A-Z Challenge
Bev@My Reader's Block (#288 on the list)

Unknown said...

everyone has a fasination about 'alice.. and I have done a few very fun boutique birthday parties for adults and kids... with this theme. Maybe I will post some... for W

Out on the prairie said...

A lovely choice of books. I have read it numerous times, and watched the cartoon as well. Have you seen the new version? I have been intrigued with holes in the trees since I watched the Johnny Dep version.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

You know Roza? Well then, she's one of my best buds. Great lady and so funny. I love your pick to celebrate the letter A. Nice to meet you!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

If dreams were real life would be really confusing!

Old Kitty said...

Awwwww you're amazing!! You can recite the Jobberwocky!?!?!? Brilliant!!

p.s. "If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee"

HAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHA! :-)

Take care
x

Laura S. said...

You know, I've also always been amazed (and a bit envious) how Alice keeps her blue and white dress so spotless. I can't wear white ever because it always attracts food. I think white has magnetic properties (but only for food and drink).

Oh, and about the chocolate thing, I'm pretty sure chocolate doesn't allow weight gain. I'm almost positive it's part of the cacao's magical properties.

Maggie May said...

My oldest granddaughter played the part of a playing card in *Alice In Wonderland* last night! In her Musical Theatre local production!
It was one of my favourites as a child.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

As much as I love the color picture, it is the first one in black and white that I remember from my childhood. Nice way to start the challenge.

Thanks for the mention!

Larri said...

My daughter has just reached an age where I think she'll appreciate Alice. Think I'll pull it off the shelf and begin reading it to her this weekend. Thanks!

Visiting from the A to Z Challenge. I look forward to reading your posts. Happy Friday! :o)

Unknown said...

Good point- A remake of ALice in WOnderland as a horror...Hmmm...

SueH said...

Great minds - I have an up-coming post about Alice later in this A-Z series!

Like your notion of 'which side of the chocolate bar....' - that's where I'm going wrong then, 'cos I just eat the whole thing! ;-p

(Haven't worked out how to do a 'proper' signature yet -
http://bit.ly/esvFfJ)

Anonymous said...

"Alice" did live in a more gentle age. I did, too.

This post is beautiful. I'm looking forward to the other 25!

Brianna said...

You had me at "If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee."
Still smiling over that one!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Loved this! I received the new TIm Burton version of Alice for Christmas. Being too much of a purist, I had refused to see it in the theatre when it came out. What a dope I was! I'm crazy for this version and watch it at least once a week. And, funnily enough, I am learning the Jabberwocky by heart!!

Cannot wait for "B"!

Corinne O said...

Excellent post! I must read Alice in Wonderland again. There have been so many movie versions I have not revisited the text in an age.

Beth said...

I love Alice in Wonderland! And isn't The Walrus and the Carpenter great?

Southpaw said...

I love this book and Through the looking Glass too.

A-Z Fellow Challenger
Holly Ruggiero’sPOV

Lola Sharp said...

Excellent use of A. I love love LOVE Alice. :)

Happy weekend,
Lola

Ann said...

When you find that bar of chocolate let me know!!!

Myne said...

Alice seems to be a favorite, this is the third for the challenge I'm seeing. Nice post. I'm following now and look forward to the others..

RosieC said...

If you find out which side of the chocolate makes you smaller, you MUST share. :)

Rosie
East for Green Eyes

Tamara McRill said...

I've always thought of Alice as a brat. Still want to see the newest movie though.

Slimming chocolate-would love that miracle in a bar!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jayne, first time visitor here. A great way to start the Challenge with a true literary classic that will forever be redone.

Plain Jane said...

I never understood Alice when I read it the first time. Perhaps it is time to revisit her now that I am all grown up. This post was beautiful.

Cathy said...

Loved your post ... love Alice, too.

Anonymous said...

OH I LOVE your comment about the chocolate bars! (I think I'll use that logic next time anyone asks me why I eat so much chocolate.
Dinah's a wonderful name for a cat. My "lady" cat is called Chanel, but before we arrived at that name, she tried on Annaliya, Cleopatra, Diana, Avonlea, Emily, Misty, Belle, and Aubrianna.

Jayne said...

Oh wow - look at all you lovely visitors! Quick - let me lay out some glasses of champagne and the special 'Alice in Wonderland' chocolate. ;)

I've been enjoying your comments so much - thank you for stopping by!

Joanne said...

I still have my Alice in Wonderland book from when I was a little girl. Could never part with it. Great post. Blessings, Joanne

Jo Schaffer said...

Great post!
I always thought Alice was a total drug trip that Lewis Caroll had. It's kinda creepy.



http://www.writerscubed.com/

Michelle Wallace said...

Hey Jayne ~~ a delightful post about a classic story ! I love your brand of humour !! Very appealing ... :)

~MICHELLE~
http://writer-in-transit.co.za/category/other/rambles-rants-and-raves/

Ella said...

Nice to meet you; Love the idea of chocolate shrinking us ;-D
I love the name Dinah!

C R Ward said...

One of my most treasured possessions is an early edition of Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There.

Tea said...

Wow! I don't know Alice at all. Your thoughts about Alice aren't ones I've thought of at all especially the fact that I wouldn't drink anything in a bottle with a label "drink me." I really, really liked your essay. So, I'm a new follower. Do you write like that all the time? Great.

Laura M. Campbell said...

I love Alice. I wrote a story for an American Literature class in college that wove in the romantic poets. A piece I'm very proud of and received an "A" on.

One curious fact: Supposedly, there is a bar in Philadelphia that requires you to recite the entire Jabberwocky poem to gain access. Haven't found it yet.

Michelle Mach said...

I love "A is for Alice." I don't think I've re-read that as an adult--I probably should. It's funny how some books you read as a child are still good as an adult, but some don't hold up.

I see from your profile that you're an editor/writer, too. I can understand the "tired superhero" feeling, though mostly I just have the "tired" part. :)

nutschell said...

I love Frank Beddor's version of Alice in his Looking glass wars series. April 1st! It's going to be a crazy month. Good luck on A-Zeing!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Tyrean Martinson said...

Do you like the new Alice movie? The six impossible things for breakfast line is probably my favorite takeaway from that movie. I never made it through the book - partly because of the whole creepy dreams as reality part . . . daydreams maybe, nightmares - no.

Sarah Allan said...

I remember reading Alice in Wonderland when I was much younger, but I agree...it would be very strange if actual dreams came true.

An interesting "A" entry! I'm now following, and looking forward to seeing more of your A-Z entries!

~Sarah
http://sarahallanauthor.blogspot.com/

The Words Crafter said...

Like some of the others, I haven't ever read Alice, either. Shame!

Very cleverly written post, and what an interesting angle to take-the character!

Can't wait to see what you do for 'B'!!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading your post! I actually have never read the book, but my sister has recently given me a copy. I'll have to read it as soon as possible! My mouth is now watering for chocolate! Looking forward to reading your next entry!

jkraus8464 said...

Hmm. My sister and I have been writing parodies since we were kids. Love them. I think it accounts for part of my humor in my writing. I will be following you to see what is going on throughout the A-Z Challenge.

Unknown said...

I've actually never read Alice, but seen so many adaptations of it. I must get around to reading it. What a good post.

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

A great story that many have never read. Wonderful st post.


~~Sheila
Reviewer & Writer
Book reviews and Author Interviews at my blog at http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I loved the stories of Alice when I was growing up. They were always so enchanting.

Lyn
W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey

Anonymous said...

My favourite would have to be the white rabbit. I have my own :o)

Anonymous said...

I read Alice three times. I'm sure I'll read it again.

Noemi said...

I have never liked Alice in wonderland, it is one of those stories that freaks me out, but honestly I have enjoyed your post.

By the way, I am also in a quest looking for that part of chocolate that makes you shrink. If I do find it, I will let you know.

Jack Edwards Poetry said...

I've never read 'Alice in Wonderland'. It's definitely going on my ever increasing list of books I need to read.

Steven Chapman said...

I've always had Alice in... on my 'must read' list but never got aroundtuit. It's going back to the top of my list now.

Cherie Reich said...

I enjoyed reading Alice in Wonderland. I was even in a musical called "Follow That Rabbit" where I played the Mock Turtle. It was a load of fun being in that world.