Previous
Mood
Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
Chapter 1 - Down the Rabbit-Hole
Explanation and Analysis—Time:
Carroll's treatment of time in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland reminds readers of the absurdity of his fictional universe. This motif appears again and again to illustrate that common conceptions of time do not apply to the creatures of Wonderland. In Chapter 1, for instance, the White Rabbit declares:
“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!” (when she thought it over afterwards it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it[...]
Related Themes:
Chapter 2 - The Pool of Tears
Explanation and Analysis—Curiosity:
Alice's most famous line ("curiouser and curiouser") appears in the second chapter when she eats the little cake:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Words & Language:
Throughout the story, Carroll emphasizes unconventional language. The constant stream of puns, songs, poems, and made-up words reminds readers of Wonderland's strange qualities. For example, in Chapter 2, Alice briefly forgets proper English:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Curiouser and curiouser!" said Alice. (She was very surprised, and for a minute she forgot how to speak good English.)
Related Themes:
Chapter 7 - A Mad Tea-Party
Explanation and Analysis—Time:
Carroll's treatment of time in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland reminds readers of the absurdity of his fictional universe. This motif appears again and again to illustrate that common conceptions of time do not apply to the creatures of Wonderland. In Chapter 1, for instance, the White Rabbit declares:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!” (when she thought it over afterwards it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it[...]
Related Themes:
Chapter 8 - The Queen's Croquet-Ground
Explanation and Analysis—Curiosity:
Alice's most famous line ("curiouser and curiouser") appears in the second chapter when she eats the little cake:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).
Related Themes:
Chapter 12 - Alice's Evidence
Explanation and Analysis—Curiosity:
Alice's most famous line ("curiouser and curiouser") appears in the second chapter when she eats the little cake:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Dreams:
In the final chapter, readers find out that Alice's adventures were all part of a crazy dream. She awakens on the riverbank next to her sister:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Wake up, Alice dear!” said her sister; “Why, what a long sleep you’ve had!”
“Oh, I’ve had such a curious dream!” said Alice, and she told her sister, as well as she could remember them, all these strange Adventures of hers that you have just been reading about; and when she had finished, her sister kissed her, and said “It was a curious dream, dear, certainly: but now run in to your tea: it’s getting late.”
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Words & Language:
Throughout the story, Carroll emphasizes unconventional language. The constant stream of puns, songs, poems, and made-up words reminds readers of Wonderland's strange qualities. For example, in Chapter 2, Alice briefly forgets proper English:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Curiouser and curiouser!" said Alice. (She was very surprised, and for a minute she forgot how to speak good English.)
Related Themes:
