Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
Down the rabbit-hole
What makes Alice follow the White Rabbit, and what does that say about her?
Keep the conversation going
- How did the fall down the rabbit-hole set the tone for the rest of the book?
- Does Alice ever wish she hadn't followed him?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What makes Alice follow the White Rabbit, and what does that say about her?
Keep the conversation going
- How did the fall down the rabbit-hole set the tone for the rest of the book?
- Does Alice ever wish she hadn't followed him?
What do Alice's constant changes of size suggest about being a child?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does she so often say she doesn't know who she is any more?
- How does she learn to control her size by the end?
Is Wonderland nonsense, or does it have rules of its own?
Keep the conversation going
- Which of its conversations, like the Caterpillar's or the Cheshire Cat's, puzzled or delighted you most?
- How does Alice try to make sense of a world that won't make sense?
What did you make of the Mad Tea-Party, where it is always six o'clock?
Keep the conversation going
- Why do the Hatter's riddles have no answers?
- How does Alice handle rudeness in Wonderland?
What do the Duchess, the Queen and the other adult figures say about the grown-up world?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does the Queen shout 'Off with their heads!' when no one is actually executed?
- Which character seemed to you the most like a real adult?
Why do the poems Alice recites always come out wrong?
Keep the conversation going
- What do you make of the Mock Turtle's lessons, like Reeling and Writhing?
- What is Carroll poking fun at in Victorian schooling?
What does the trial of the Knave of Hearts say about justice, in Wonderland and beyond?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does Alice finally stand up to the court?
- What does 'Sentence first, verdict afterwards' make you think of?
How did the ending, with Alice waking on the riverbank, change the story for you?
Keep the conversation going
- What does her sister imagine as she thinks over the dream?
- Does growing up mean leaving Wonderland behind?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.