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Marilyn O. Valdivia
English 114B
Professor Lewis
1
st
of April 2014
A Feminist Approach to Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the
Looking-Glass
Louis Althusser, a French Marxist philosopher, noted that existence is not defined by ones
self, but by society. Society has defined the role of women as a natural caregiver whose job is to
nurture her children by staying at home cooking and cleaning waiting till the dominant male
comes along to provide for her. For years, many women have interpellated, or internalized, this
ideology and are now hesitant to break free from societys rules because they fear of being
questioned of their decisions. The fact is that women need to be liberated of the social norm they
are placed in and need to begin their independency and start thinking what they want for
themselves. Of course, young girls do not realize the position women are put in because they do
not realize the stereotypes of women are degrading and disrespectful. In fact, young girls are
constantly viewing and learning the perception of womens roles through their favorite fairytale
films. Fairytales are a primary and classic example of how women are depicted to child
audiences by portraying princesses as dependent and weak. Majority of all fairytale films show
the princess in danger and end up being saved by their prince charming and living happily ever
after. Cinderella and Snow White, written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, are two most
famous stories told to young girls and clearly show how constantly the princess wait till prince
charming comes along to save her. However, Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through
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the Looking-Glass, written by Lewis Carroll, are of few that has presented a young girl who is
curious about life and probably the only tale where women are the dominant figures in the story.
The main character, Alice, is seen as a witty seven-year-old child whom encounters many
different characters, and although all question her, Alice does not resist the fact that her fate is to
be the queen of Wonderland. Alices curiosity and confidence makes her a strong role model
young girls can follow and to relate to, showing that it is okay to be a fierce, independent girl
rather than interpellating the stereotypes of women in fairytales.
Alices curiosity is a tool that allows her to break free from the stereotypical role women
have upon them. Her curiosity allows her imagination to drive wild and most importantly it
allows her to explore the beyond by asking questions and investigating further. Alice first shows
her curiosity of the world in Alices Adventures in Wonderland when she decides to follow a
strange rabbit down a rabbit hole. Alice is so drawn and curious about the rabbit that she does
not notices the strange reality of a rabbit wearing a coat and having a pocket watch.Landing, she
feels no fear, but rather engages in her surroundings and wonders how far she has fallen. At
such a fall as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling downstairs! This self - assurance and
unquestioning spirit, this Pandora mentality or, as some would say reckless, wild, impetuous
streak, is also the kind of indomitable spirit todays young women appreciate (Alice in
Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser). Alices bravery and curiosity shows,
metaphorically, that women have the ability to show curiosity and therefore, should ask
questions. This will allow women be liberated and be listened to.
As Alice wakes up from a dream of Wonderland, she has a difficult time relating the real
world and Wonderland. In Through the Looking-Glass, Alice pretends her cat, Dinah, could
speak. As she conversates with Dinah, she sees a looking glass; curiously she gets closer and
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closer and analyzes the objects in it. She then goes through it and travels to a complete opposite
world, literally. Alices curiosity in Through the Looking-Glass now serves her as a tactic to
become queen of Wonderland. She constantly questions the characters around her to understand
her purpose for being there. As mentioned before, her curiosity drives her to a point where she
now, not only questions Wonderland, but also the people in Wonderland. The curiosity and
confidence that Carroll instills in Alice connect her with other unruly women, such as Marie
Antoinette, Marilyn Monroe, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and Camille Paglia. Alices direct,
candid approach to life is refreshing and something the young women can relate to (Alice in
Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser). Alice can be compared to such
powerful dominant women like these because she has the bravery to question society and be such
an inspiration to young girls.
In order to have curiosity, one must also have courage, which Alice clearly shows in both
books. As Alice travels to Wonderland she shows how courageous she is by showing shows no
fear when she falls down the rabbit hole and lands in this room with several doors. In fact, Alice
shows the exact opposite of fear; she wants to go through each door and see what awaits her.
Even before she travels to Wonderland, Alice begun to reject the female reality her sister has
chosen, a passive compliance, fulfilling a traditional female role. Her sister presents one vision
of women, those well educated with little to do. Reading a book without pictures or
conversations is of no use to Alice, and she seeks other means to occupy herself (Alice in
Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser). As well in Through the Looing-Glass,
Alice encounters the Red Queen, the Red King, the White Queen and the White King, all the
superior roles of Wonderland. She shows no fear, or hesitation when she picks up the Red King
and dusts him off, making the King feel underestimated. Alice also shows great courage when
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speaking to the Red Queen she clearly does not show any fear when she corrects the queen.
Curiosity and courage serves Alices identity and is a great example why Alices Adventures in
Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass recount in almost epic fashion journeys of the
heroic Alice, a triumphant, powerful modern day Girl-Ulysses (Schmidt-Rosemann). Alices
internal values shows why she is a modern day woman hero to many young girls and a great role
model to follow.
In Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, Alice encounters all
types, tests herself, tastes life around her, and once she learns the right combination to fi t in and
be comfortable with herself, shes welcomed into a beautiful world where she possesses wisdom,
power, and prestige (Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser). She
strives and prospers even in the most difficult obstacles that come before her in order to become
queen of Wonderland. Her perseverance is a remarkable representation of womens ability to
succeed in a dominant society. Carrolls books truly represent the feminist side of Alice by
representing womens constant struggles through Alices ability to persevere during a difficult
time period. It is no wonder feminist relate to Alice to being a reflection of their own aspirations
(Schmidt-Rosemann). Because Carroll embedded an ideology for women to stand up for
themselves, Alice is an excellent candidate for allowing women and young girls to be inspired by
such a phenomenal model created in a time where women could not even imagine or dare to
question the male figure.
In Wonderland, Alice stumbles across curious characters like the Cheshire Cat, the
Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts, all who questions Alices identity.
Although all the characters believe Alice is rude and does not belong in Wonderland, she does
not let them ruin her and her self-esteem. In Through the Looking-Glass, Alice shows even more
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how determined she is to become queen of Wonderland. Alice, now more aware, begins to
realize that she is destined to become queen of Wonderland. She sees what can be done to
improve Wonderland to fit herself and her ways. However, again in this book, all characters
question her purpose and identity, making Alice believe she is weak and fits the stereotypical
role of a woman. Alices bravery and perseverance through out both books show inspiration to
never give up your destiny. Her perseverance is astonishing and something where young girls
could follow in order to surpass the negativity.
In both novels, Alice conquers the obstacles that come before her. She works up from a
pawn, delivers effort, and goes through trials, where she is asked by higher superiors from
Wonderland if she knew anything about the tarts, and Alice, respectfully, denies to the questions
and realizes the trial is useless and does not make any sense. Alice rejects and frees herself from
stereotypical female traits; she is not trapped by the confines of roles or requirements. First, she
rejects the world her sister occupies, the typical daughter role and in that matter the typical child
position, seen but not heard; then in her journey through Wonderland she questions the nurturing
role of a mother, whom should guide her to the right path and protect her from evil; and finally
she stands up to seemingly powerful females and males alike, including the Queen of Hearts, the
Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat. Alices confident attitude leads her safely
through Wonderland and she begins to think that very few things indeed were really
impossible, a message young women of today need to keep in mind (Alice in Wonderland and
Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser). Alices hard work through out both books helps her
become queen of Wonderland, thus becoming a strong female advocate that young girls can
follow, and unlike other fairytale heroines, Alice does not require a fairy godmother, huntsman,
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or fairy; simply just her own wits and ingenuity to navigate through Wonderland successfully,
keeping her head intact.
As Alice breaks free from all the general roles of women, the male characters in the novels
hold a low status position compared to all the female characters. Not only is Alice the main lead
in the books, but the superior statuses of women in both books are higher than those of men.
Alices independent spirit takes her to the all male world of the Mad Hatters tea party. No
room, they all cry when they see her coming. But this doesnt sway her a bit. Theres plenty of
room! she declares indignantly. The Mad Hatters tea party presents an assertive female in a
male world (Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser). It is apparent that
the male roles in Alices Adventures in Wonderland and in Through the Looking-Glass show a
representation of how males in society are considered of a high status role and are more
dominant compare to women.
Lewis Carroll embodied Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass
to fit womens role status in society and also to allow women be able to reject the stereotypes by
representing Alice as a curious, empowered seven year old girl eager to explore a new world she
chooses to enter. This curiosity, bravery and perseverance of such a young girl appeals to other
girls and makes Alice an important female advocate. Alices Adventures in Wonderland and
Through the Looking-Glass serves as a classic example of how a young middle-class girl can be
liberated from stereotypical judgments of womens role in society. Furthermore, women have to
think outside the box in order not to be trapped in these judgments made by society. Women
have to question, observe, and be curious of their surroundings in order to be heard and respected
by others. Alice allowed women not to internalize these stereotypes and be free from the
critiques from society.
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Works Cited
Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley &
Sons. Web. 2010.
Carroll, Lewis. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, New York:MacMillan. Print. 1865.
Carroll, Lewis. Through the Looking Glass. S.l.: Anderson. Print. 1992.
Schmidt-Rosemann, Birgit M. Through the Looking Glass: Mirroring the Evolution of Feminist
Theory in the Criticism on Lewis Carroll's "Alice" Books. n.p.: ProQuest, UMI
Dissertations Publishing. Web. 2001.