The Messed Up Origins of Alice in Wonderland (Pt. 3) | Disney Explained - Jon Solo

Summary

In this episode of *Messed Up Origins*, Jon Solo dives deep into Lewis Carroll's *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland*, breaking down the chaotic tea party scene and introducing iconic characters like the Mad Hatter, March Hare, and Cheshire Cat. He explores the origins behind their madness, including the historical roots of the 'mad as a hatter' phrase. The narrative continues with Alice's bizarre encounters with Wonderland's royal family, including the Queen of Hearts, and features strange characters like the Mock Turtle and Griffin. With humorous insights and quirky facts, Jon offers a fresh perspective on this beloved children's story.

Takeaways

• 😀 The episode focuses on Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' analyzing its themes, characters, and the author's motivations behind certain scenes.
• 😀 The March Hare and Mad Hatter's tea party scene wasn't originally in 'Alice's Adventures Underground,' showing the value of second drafts in storytelling.
• 😀 Alice experiences surreal conversations during the tea party, such as a riddle with no answer and absurd debates, which reflect the nonsensical tone of the story.
• 😀 The famous riddle 'Why is a raven like a writing desk?' has no official answer from Carroll, but he later suggested an 'acceptable' one: both can produce flat notes and are never put in front the wrong end.
• 😀 The historical roots of the expressions 'mad as a March hare' and 'mad as a hatter' are explored, including the mercury poisoning suffered by hatters in the 1800s, which caused erratic behavior.
• 😀 Alice's interactions with the Queen of Hearts highlight the theme of blind, irrational authority, with the Queen calling for executions at the slightest offense.
• 😀 The Queen's character serves as a commentary on unchecked passion and the violent expectations of children's literature during Carroll's time.
• 😀 The episode touches on the absurdity of the croquet game in Wonderland, where flamingo mallets and hedgehog balls are used, and the Queen's frequent orders to execute participants.
• 😀 The Duchess's character offers a satirical take on the moralism of children's stories, with her constant attempts to find a moral in every nonsensical situation.
• 😀 Alice’s encounter with the Mock Turtle and the Griffin emphasizes the absurdity of Wonderland, with the Mock Turtle recounting an odd and exaggerated version of his schooling, including lessons like 'uglification' and 'derision.'

Q & A

Why was the March Hare and Mad Hatter's tea party described as chaotic?

The tea party was chaotic because of the nonsensical interactions, constant interruptions, and the overall lack of civility. Alice was offered an empty glass of wine, and she was constantly interrupted while trying to speak, creating a chaotic and confusing atmosphere.

What is the significance of the riddle 'Why is a raven like a writing desk' in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'?

The riddle 'Why is a raven like a writing desk?' is famous because it was intentionally left unanswered by Lewis Carroll. He later humorously suggested that both can produce notes, but neither are musical. Fans of the book have also proposed alternative answers, such as both being linked to Edgar Allan Poe, since he wrote about ravens and writing desks.

What was the historical background behind the characters of the March Hare and the Mad Hatter?

The characters were inspired by historical sayings. The phrase 'mad as a March Hare' referred to the aggressive breeding behavior of hares during March, though it was later found to be inaccurate. 'Mad as a hatter' comes from the mercury poisoning that hatters experienced during the 18th and 19th centuries, causing tremors, hallucinations, and madness.

Why did Alice feel frustrated during her encounter with the March Hare and Mad Hatter?

Alice felt frustrated because she was repeatedly interrupted, disrespected, and caught in a series of nonsensical conversations. Her patience wore thin as she was ridiculed and offered empty gestures, such as an empty wine glass.

How does the book differ from the Disney film in terms of the tea party scene?

In the book, the tea party is a chaotic interaction between Alice, the March Hare, and the Mad Hatter, with the characters engaging in absurd conversations and rude behavior. While the general spirit of the scene is retained in the Disney film, some of the more detailed exchanges and character dynamics are altered for cinematic purposes.

What was the Duchess’s fate in the novel and why was she removed from the Disney film?

In the novel, the Duchess is sentenced to execution for offending the Queen, but she reappears briefly in the croquet field. In the Disney film, much of her storyline and role are omitted, likely to simplify the plot and remove unnecessary characters.

How does the Queen of Hearts embody Lewis Carroll's commentary on children's literature?

The Queen of Hearts represents ungovernable passion and blind authority. Carroll used her character to challenge the prevailing belief that children's literature should be free from violence. Her callous attitude and quickness to order executions reflect the absurdity of such expectations.

What is the meaning behind the strange moral lessons presented by the Duchess in the novel?

The Duchess’s attempt to find morals in everything, such as equating 'flamingos and mustards both bite' to the phrase 'birds of a feather flock together,' reflects Lewis Carroll's satire of the overly moralistic children's literature of his time. Carroll deliberately included such nonsense to counter the idea that all stories for children must carry clear, moral lessons.

Why does Alice not enjoy her conversation with the Duchess?

Alice doesn't enjoy her conversation with the Duchess because the Duchess is physically uncomfortable to be around (her sharp chin rests on Alice’s shoulder) and engages in meaningless moralizing, which frustrates Alice.

What is the symbolism of the Mock Turtle and his backstory in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'?

The Mock Turtle is a play on 'mock turtle soup,' a dish made from veal intended to mimic green turtle soup. Carroll uses the Mock Turtle’s backstory of learning bizarre subjects like 'ambition' and 'distraction' to further the absurd, nonsensical nature of Wonderland and satirize the education system.