Reading Notes: Alice in Wonderland Part A
This week's readings were something that I have definitely heard before - Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is a staple of most children's early lives. The whimsical story that is laid out by Carroll is rich in detail and the right bit of silliness to appeal to so many throughout the world. But what makes it so special to everyone? There have been stories in the past that are similar. Maybe it was because this book almost pioneered this type of fantasy writing. Not taking everything so seriously, making sure that the story is actually fun to those who read it, and the fact that it's characters/situations are so unique.
My favorite sections of this week's readings was "Advice from a Caterpillar" (although when she fell down the rabbit-hole was a close second). The reasoning behind my liking it was the conversation that the two of them had between each other. From going round in circles about asking who each person was, to the grumpy/mean disposition that he had - it was set up perfectly with an amazing amount of whimsy. My favorite bit of dialogue between the two was, "Keep your temper" after Alice had gotten (rightfully so) angry at the Caterpillar for being such a jerk to her.
I like the ideas of having a character who simply shows up, offers almost no help, with little care as to what happens to the main character. Not being evil, per say, but being someone who does nothing in the face of an adventure. It would be a very good character to add within a story. The readings from this week have helped highlight some of the better aspects of fantasy writing - from making sure the characters are silly/grounded somewhat in reality (but with un-real conversations), to making the situations extremely odd, and to make it seem as if everything is normal.
My favorite sections of this week's readings was "Advice from a Caterpillar" (although when she fell down the rabbit-hole was a close second). The reasoning behind my liking it was the conversation that the two of them had between each other. From going round in circles about asking who each person was, to the grumpy/mean disposition that he had - it was set up perfectly with an amazing amount of whimsy. My favorite bit of dialogue between the two was, "Keep your temper" after Alice had gotten (rightfully so) angry at the Caterpillar for being such a jerk to her.
I like the ideas of having a character who simply shows up, offers almost no help, with little care as to what happens to the main character. Not being evil, per say, but being someone who does nothing in the face of an adventure. It would be a very good character to add within a story. The readings from this week have helped highlight some of the better aspects of fantasy writing - from making sure the characters are silly/grounded somewhat in reality (but with un-real conversations), to making the situations extremely odd, and to make it seem as if everything is normal.
"Advice from a Caterpillar"
Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
"Alice in Wonderland" written by Lewis Carroll (1865).
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