This essay dives into the philosophy behind Lewis Caroll's Alice in WOnderland. It breaks down the story into three major philosophical ideas.

Essay by HearnoevilHigh School, 12th gradeA+, December 2003

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

("but that's what it's called, you know!")

The best way to describe Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, would be a fictitious fantasy about the real world. Although "Wonderland" is a reality deprived dreamland, the ideas of realism and life seem to be more obvious there than on the planet earth. Wonderland is found somewhere between logic and the imagination. Lewis Carroll successfully takes the reader on a journey down the rabbit hole and into a world of philosophy, realism, and logic.

Perhaps the biggest impact of Carroll's stories of Alice, is in the world of philosophy. Is it possible to see Nobody? What would life be like without names for people and objects? Is it possible to believe the impossible? Questions like these fall from the early characters, page after page. Carroll's book seems a lighthearted circus, like children's story on the surface, but it has proven to be one of the best gifts to philosophers that British literature can offer.

Perhaps the most well know example is Alice's discussion with the White Knight. The White Knight has become a symbol for deep thinkers. (Heath, 45-47) After the White Knight tells Alice that the name of his song is called, "Haddock's Eyes", this conversation takes place:

"Oh, that's the name of the song, is it?" Alice asked trying to feel interested.

"No, you don't understand," the Knight said, looking a little vexed.

"That's what the name is called. The name really is "The Aged Aged Man'."

"Then I ought to have said 'That's what the song is called?'" Alice corrected herself.

"No, you oughtn't; that's quite another thing! The song is called 'Ways and Means': but that's only what it's called, you know!"

"Well, what is the song then?" said Alice, who...