"It is no accident that the grotesque style in literature tends to be prevalent in eras marked by radical change and stress. Such was the Victorian period, within which a whirl of social, economic, and religious change took place . . ." (Chang par. 2). This distorted writing can be unquestionably seen in the works of Lewis Carroll, namely his world famous pieces, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There (commonly known as "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass"). In several instances throughout the Alice books, Carroll mocks Victorian lifestyle. These parodies can be seen in Victorian growth and self-discovery, inventions, education, nutrition and drugs, social classes, and morals.

The Victorian times were that of self-discovery and seeking order in the universe, so naturally it makes sense when Alice is not really sure of who she is. The caterpillar cannot accept Alice's lack of self-awareness when she states that she is unsure of whom she is.

"Who are you?" said the Caterpillar. This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, "I -- I hardly know, Sir, just at present -- at le

Brownell, Eliza. "Ground Rules of Fantasy."

Alice concurs with several different characters in her two trips to wonderland. "As Alice learns a great deal about herself with each new encounter in Wonderland, she begins to realize that these experiences weaken and even distort her previously stable self-image. Accepted norms now seem foreign to Alice, and in many ways she becomes an outcast" (Polisner par. 3). Carroll is mocking the Victorians because with every new thing that Alice learns, they seem to cancel out her past lessons.

Available: http://www.landlow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/carroll/aiwl3.html

The Victorian Web (1995): three paragraphs. On-line. Internet. 18 April 2000.

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Available: http://www.landlow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/carroll/aiwl1.html

The Victorian Web (1993): three paragraphs. On-line. Internet. 18 April 2000.

(Alice in Wonderland). " . . . she still held the pieces of mushroom in her hands, and she set to work very carefully, nibbling first at one and then at the other, and growing sometimes taller, sometimes shorter, until she had succeeded in bringing herself down to her usual height" (Alice in Wonderland ch. 5).

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1343
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)