Themes in "Through the Looking-Glass"
Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass" is a rich tapestry of imaginative themes that continue to captivate readers long after its publication. Let's dive into the key themes that make this work a timeless classic.
1. The Nature of Reality and Logic
One of the most prominent themes in "Through the Looking-Glass" is the exploration of reality and logic, or rather, the subversion of it.
NoteCarroll constantly challenges our perception of what's real and what's logical, creating a world where the rules we're accustomed to simply don't apply.
This is evident in numerous instances throughout the book:
- The chess game structure of the story
- Backwards-running time in the Looking-Glass world
- Characters who remember future events
"Living backwards!" Alice repeated in great astonishment. "I never heard of such a thing!" "—but there's one great advantage in it, that one's memory works both ways."
This quote perfectly encapsulates how Carroll turns our understanding of time and memory on its head, forcing us to question our own perceptions of reality.
2. Identity and Growing Up
Alice's journey through the Looking-Glass world is also a metaphor for growing up and discovering one's identity. As she moves through the chess squares, she's not just progressing in the game, but also in her journey towards adulthood.
ExampleWhen Alice finally becomes a queen, it symbolizes her reaching maturity. However, she finds that being a queen (or an adult) isn't quite what she expected, mirroring the often disappointing realities of growing up.
"I'm sure I'll take you with pleasure!" the Queen said. "Two pence a week, and jam every other day." Alice couldn't help laughing, as she said, "I don't want you to hire me – and I don't care for jam." "It's very good jam," said the Queen. "Well, I don't want any to-day, at any rate." "You couldn't have it if you did want it," the Queen said. "The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday – but never jam to-day."
