Lewis Carrolls Criticism of Society - 1009 Words

Lewis Carrolls Criticism of Society Lewis Caroll published Alices Adventures in Wonderland, in 1865, mocking the childrens literature of that time, which suffered from a lack of imagination, only containing morals to educate children. Education plays a large role in the Alice`s life. Alice refers to her lessons and her education very proud of the learning that she has acquired. The information that she remembers from her lessons is usually useless or wrong. For example, although she can remember how many miles down until the center of the earth, she believes that everything will be upside down when she passes through to the other side: â€Å"Down, down, down. Would the fall never come to an end? I wonder how many miles Ive†¦show more content†¦The Mock Turtle and Gryphons mad romp can hardly be described as having becoming politeness. Carroll points out the stupidity of social protocol. The Lobster Quadrille that Alice encounters is a parody of the quadrille, a dance that was used to open nearly every fashionable ball at the time that Alices Adventures was written and published. Victorian children were expected to behave at all times. In practice this meant that instant obedience to every order, respectful manners and punctuality were expected as a matter of course from every member of the family. One of the rules which governed a proper Victorian ladys behavior was the admonition against cutting â€Å" .Argument and â€Å"answering back† were never permitted, and they were seldom attempted. According to etiquette guide, A Lady should never cut someone, unless it is absolutely necessary . When Alice is at the trial of the Knave of Hearts, Chapter 12† Alice`s Evidence† Carroll parodies this sort of rule and the expected behavior by having Alice talk back to the King. â€Å"At this moment the King, who had been for some time busily writing in his note-book, called out Silence! and read out from his book, Rule Forty-two. All persons more than a mile high to leave the court. Everybody looked at Alice. Im not a mile high, said Alice. You are, said the King. Nearly two miles high, added the Queen. Well, I shant go, at anyShow MoreRelatedEssay on Lewis Carrolls Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland1268 Words   |  6 PagesLewis Carrolls Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Philosophy – a subject that had driven people insane for as long as humans know their history. All the time people try to find a meaning, and later controvert it. 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For the majority of the population, fairy tales left deep