he widespread use of opium during the Victorian period may have influenced or been reflected in Alice's Adventures In Wonderland. Mind altering experiences resulting from narcotics relate nicely to some of the detailed descriptions in the Alice books, such as the growing and shrinking and the image of the caterpillar smoking the hookah.
The complex dream atmosphere which Alice lives through can easily be compared to a mind-altering drug experience. The idea of eating a mushroom or drinking from a bottle that causes one to feel altered in some way parallels drug experience as well. In Carroll's time five out of six families used opium habitually (Wohl 34-35) Infant mortality was an extremely common result of use of the narcotic. It was said that infants "shrank up into little old men" when they became sick (Wohl 34-35). This image is strangely similiar to that of the duch*ess's baby turning into a pig.
The baby grunted again, and Alice looked very anxiously into it's face to see what was the matter with it. There could be no doubt that it had a very turn-up nose, much more like a snout than a real nose; also its eyes were getting extremely small for a baby. altogether Alice did not like the look of the thing at all. 'But perhaps it was only sobbing,' she thought, and looked into its eyes again, to see if there were any tears.
No, there were no tears. 'If you're going to turn into a pig, my dear,' said Alice, seriously, 'I'll have nothing more to do with you. Mind now!' The poor little thing sobbed again (or grunted it was impossible to say which), and they went on for some while in silence.
Regardless of whether or not the books are written as a result of opium use, it seems very likely that they refer to various aspects of its use. Perhaps Carroll, who loved children, argued its harmfulness to children. Or maybe it was included simply as a sign of the times — a reflection of the age.
Last modified December 1993
FAQs
No drugs are represented. The cake Alice eats has bodily effects that are parts of her dream. They “represent” nothing in life outside of that dream or outside the world of the story.
What was Lewis Carroll's inspiration for Alice in Wonderland? ›
Alice Pleasance Liddell (1852 – 1934) was the little girl who inspired Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Under her married name of Alice Hargreaves, she came to live in Lyndhurst and was a society hostess.
Who was the female inspiration for the book Alice? ›
Not everything in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' was conjured from Lewis Carroll's imagination. Stubborn, precocious and curious, the character of Alice was based on a real little girl named Alice Liddell, with a brunette bob and short fringe.
What is Alice's primary motivation in this story? ›
Alice feels lonely, which motivates her to seek out company that she can sympathize and identify with. She creates a structured imaginary world that she can control, and creates Looking-Glass World in order to connect with other individuals and seek out company that she feels comfortable with.
What do the drugs symbolize in Alice in Wonderland? ›
The “Mad Hatter” character represents Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), the “Dormouse” represents sleeping pills, and the “King of Hearts” represents heroin. Ultimately, Alice concluded that drug abuse is senseless.”
What was Alice's mental illness in Alice in Wonderland? ›
The early reports typically described the syndrome symptoms as “hallucinations,” but today they are more accurately described as “distortions of visual perception and body representations” arising from a “perceptual disorder.” Another defining characteristic of this disorder is a distorted perception of time, which ...
What does Cheshire Cat symbolize? ›
One of the most prominent symbols is that of the Cheshire Cat, which serves as a representation of wisdom and guidance. It is through conversations with this enigmatic creature that Alice begins to make sense of her situation and gains insight into who she really is.
What is the message in Alice in Wonderland? ›
One of the most significant themes in Alice in Wonderland is the importance of embracing your true self. Alice struggles with the expectations and constraints placed on her by society. As she navigates the strange and unpredictable world of Wonderland, she learns to embrace her unique qualities and strengths.
Who inspired the Mad Hatter? ›
It has often been claimed that the Hatter's character may have been inspired by Theophilus Carter, an eccentric furniture dealer. Carter was supposedly at one time a servitor at Christ Church, one of the University of Oxford's colleges.
What is Alice's last name? ›
The fictional Alice had the same birthday as the real one, May 4th and, in the poem in Through the Looking Glass that starts 'A boat beneath a sunny sky,' the first letter of each line spells out the real Alice's full name – Alice Pleasance Liddell.
In the original books her last name is never mentioned. The girl she was named after, whom the first book was written for, was named Alice Liddell. As an adult her married name was Hargreaves. The Tim Burton movies call her Alice Kingsleigh, but that name only applies to that version of the character.
What kind of girl was Alice? ›
Characterized by Carroll as "loving and gentle", "courteous to all", "trustful", and "wildly curious", Alice has been variously seen as clever, well-mannered, and sceptical of authority, although some commentators find more negative aspects of her personality.
What does the mad hatter represent? ›
While this might be explained away by his supposed 'madness', some critics and readers believe Carroll made the Hatter this way in order to highlight some of the most irritating and unpleasant traits in our human nature, which, although not life-threatening, can still make life quite unbearable.
Who does the Caterpillar likely represent from Alice's real life? ›
Alice is like a caterpillar because she is young but will soon enter puberty and enter her final form. Who does the Caterpillar likely represent from Alice's real life? The Caterpillar likely represents her teacher, for he asks questions, gives advice, and contradicts Alice to force her to think critically.
What do Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum represent? ›
Their names may have originally come from an epigram written by poet John Byrom. The nursery rhyme has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19800. The names have since become synonymous in western popular culture slang for any two people whose appearances and actions are identical.
Is Alice in Wonderland based on drugs? ›
It turns out that Alice in Wonderland's relationship to drugs is a misconception; it's never been proven that Lewis Carroll ever took mind-altering drugs. This is one of many truths presented at a new exhibition, Alice: 150 Years of Wonderland, currently showing at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City.
What drugs does Alice use in Go Ask Alice? ›
Beth leaves for summer camp and Alice goes to live with her grandparents. She is bored, but reunites with an old friend, Jill, who invites Alice to a party. At the party, Alice unwittingly drops LSD and experiences a fantastic drug trip. Though curious, she vows not to do drugs again.
What are some of the possible causes of Alice's delirium? ›
Reported causes include infection (especially with Epstein Barr virus), migraine, epilepsy, depression, and toxic and febrile delirium.
What does the hookah represent in Alice in Wonderland? ›
The Caterpillar's use of the hookah has often been interpreted and expanded as proof of the theory that most of the text of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland represents the experience of being under the influence of halucinogenic drugs.
