Talking animals—that's ridiculous! | Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Banned Books Week 2021

TL;DR

Alice encounters a talking rabbit in Wonderland leading to a puzzling self-identity crisis and a sudden bout of shrinking.

Transcript

hi i'm jocelyn from the legler benbow teen idea lab and for banned books week i'm going to be reading alice's adventures in wonderland by lewis carroll this book was banned in china and other parts of the world because of its personification of animals the animals in this book speak with human language which critics described as disastrous chapter ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" faced censorship in various parts of the world, sparking debate over the portrayal of animals.
• 😫 The excerpt showcases Alice's initial encounter with the talking white rabbit, setting the stage for her surreal adventures.
• 🤳 Alice's struggle with self-identity and her reflections on familiarity and change add depth to her character.
• ❓ The whimsical nature of Wonderland is highlighted through Alice's encounters with strange occurrences and characters.
• 🥺 Curiosity drives Alice's actions, leading to unexpected consequences and transformations in her journey.
• 💱 The passage's theme of growth and change is evident through Alice's shrinking, symbolizing her desire for understanding and adaptability.
• 💭 The dialogue in the excerpt offers insight into Alice's inner thoughts and confusion, enhancing her character development.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why was "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" banned in China?

The ban was due to the animals speaking human language, deemed disastrous by critics for personifying animals in the book.

Q: What is the significance of Alice's encounter with the white rabbit in the excerpt?

The white rabbit symbolizes curiosity and leads Alice into an extraordinary adventure, setting the tone for her whimsical journey in Wonderland.

Q: How does Alice's self-identity crisis manifest in the passage?

Alice questions her identity by trying to remember familiar things and realizing she cannot recite poems correctly, leading to confusion and a contemplation of who she truly is.

Q: What role does shrinking play in Alice's Wonderland experience?

Shrinking symbolizes Alice's sense of feeling lost or out of place in this strange world, highlighting her vulnerability and the surreal nature of Wonderland.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jocelyn reads an excerpt from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" banned in China for animals speaking human language.

• Alice encounters a white rabbit in a peculiar scenario, pondering her identity and experiencing sudden shrinking.

• The passage showcases whimsical dialogue, Alice's confusion about her identity, and a fantastical shrinking episode in Wonderland.