- How do you like the book so far?
- What do you think of Alice so far? Do you think she is impulsive? Self-reliant? Crazy?
- At one point Alice says, “But if I’m not the same, the next question is ‘Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that’s the great puzzle!” (24). What do you think Lewis Carroll was trying to say with that?
- Do you think there is a significance in all of the “Drink Me” and “Eat Me” and the growing and shrinking that Alice experiences?
- What do you think will happen next?
-So far I’m really liking Alice in Wonderland. It’s been on my TBR list for a while.
-I like Alice so far, I think she’s curious and imaginative and I like that she’s so interested in going off on an adventure.
-I really, really liked this quote, maybe because I’ve been going through a lot of “who am I? what am I doing with my life?” questioning. But, I think that everyone at some point in their life goes through that moment of “who am I really?” and I think Carroll used Alice’s fear that maybe she was turning into Mabel as a way to sort of explore that idea.
-What I think will happen next: I’m imagining the Disney-movie conversation between Alice and the Caterpillar so I’m excited. 😀
I’m really enjoying it. I’ve been finding recently that when I read classic books that are supposedly for kids as an adult, I end up enjoying them. I sometimes wonder how I would have seen the book differently if I had read it when I was younger.
I like that she’s very curious about everything. She also seems to be intelligent, though sometimes too trusting (as she eats and drinks things without knowing what they are) and also sometimes oblivious (when she mentions cats and dogs around the other animals). Overall, I really like her; she just seems both nice and also is trying to figure things out, which I admire in a person.
I think it’s interesting that when Alice is changing, she thinks she must be turning into someone else rather than just thinking she’s turning into a different version of herself. Of course, part of life is figuring out the answer (if there is one) to the question, “Who am I?” so maybe Carroll was trying to make a point about that and how Alice is growing up. I think it could also be a reference to how, as we grow up, we compare ourselves to others on the road to figuring out who we are. We emulate some people and try to not end up like others.
This is a part I found really confusing, to be honest. Perhaps it’s a reference to how we do what others tell us to do and find ourselves changing in the process. It might also be a reference to having a chance of perspective on the world.
I wonder if Alice will ever actually go out into the garden. When she first saw it, I thought that that would be the place where lots of events in the story (some of which I’ve seen references to in television shows, other books, etc) would happen.
I’m really curious to know what happens next, because even though I’ve seen and read references to the Alice books, I’ve never actually watched a whole movie based on the book, so I really don’t have a detailed knowledge of the story yet. It’s really fun to read it and have the events be a surprise.
Hello again, everyone! I’ve been regrettably absent from Three Nerds since before the holidays. My fiance & I traveled to his parents’ house for Christmas and he ended up getting really sick and needed surgery. We were in the hospital for 3 days and then our stay with his parents got extended while he recovered.
It was crazy and stressful and didn’t feel much like a vacation at all. We got back home on 1/6 and since then I feel like I’ve been playing catch-up and trying to get back into my normal routine.
So FINALLY I put the Jan. books on hold and just started Alice last night. Here are my thoughts so far:
1. I am enjoying reading the book so far, although it’s definitely been a challenge getting used to a book that’s written for children. It’s been years since I read a “children’s” book and it feels a little strange to be reading one now! I feel like I’m going through it pretty quickly, in part because the writing is simpler than adult novels and there are also illustrations in my edition. It feels kind of like a nice break, though – I don’t have to think too hard about the story, it’s pretty simple and straightforward.
2. I think Alice is a very interesting character so far. I’m not gonna lie, though, for some reason I find her a little bit annoying! Maybe it’s my profession as a teacher, but I can’t help imagining what it would be like if I had her in class. She’s so talkative and dreamy – she’d probably get on my nerves! I also agree with Ani that she’s a bit oblivious, and I’d also add naive and too trusting. Perhaps it’s an indicator of how much times have changed, but I’d like to think that a child today who found herself in Alice’s shoes wouldn’t be going around eating and drinking strange substances, or being so open with a bunch of strangers (even though they are animals!) I especially rolled my eyes at Alice when she was in the Rabbit’s house and drank the bottle, just because she was “sure it would make something interesting happen.” Haven’t enough “interesting” things happened already? It seemed kind of dangerous and foolish to me.
3. I love Isis’ and Ani’s responses to this question, and have lots of the same thoughts. I especially like Ani’s remark about how we compare ourselves to others as we grow and change. I think Carroll was probably referencing this, at least in part. It’s like Alice was thinking, “Okay, I’m a little bit different now, who did I turn into? I must be like someone else.” It’s so easy to compare yourself to others, because it really is hard to just be yourself regardless of what others are/think. It kind of makes me feel bad for Alice. I think the major point of this quote is that it’s okay to be yourself, even though you are constantly changing. You’re just changing into different versions of yourself.
4. I’m not sure if there is any significance in the “Drink Me” and “Eat Me” items. As I said earlier, I do think it’s a little weird that Alice is so willing to just drink and eat these strange objects. Maybe it’s a lesson of sorts – don’t eat/drink strange things, something bad might happen to you? lol I’m not sure. Ani – I like your take on this question, especially your idea that obeying others changes us. 🙂
5. Not too sure what will happen next! I’m in the same boat as Ani – I haven’t seen a whole movie based on this book, just scenes/references in other media. These events are all pretty new to me, so I’m looking forward to what comes next. I know it will involve the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Caterpillar, and the Mad Hatter, but that’s about it! I don’t even know what roles those characters play in the story, so I’m excited to find out. 🙂
Hey Amanda!
I’m sorry your vacation wasn’t a…vacation. But I’m glad you’re back and your fiance is okay!
Hi Amanda! So sorry to hear about your vacation, but glad to have you back and I hope your fiance is fully recovered.
I really like your take on the third question, that it’s okay to be yourself. I really like the idea of changing into different versions of yourself.