Feminism
Haley Corning
There are many different views that Lewis Carroll portrays through his short novel, Alice in Wonderland. One of the main views and criticisms from the novel is feminism.
“Feminist criticism examines the ways in which literature (and other cultural productions) reinforces or undermines the economic, political, social and psychological oppression of women.” Feminism is a view portraying to the reader of the reality of how gender roles are played in regular day to day life. Alice in Wonderland is such a magnificent “case” of feminism because that the novel was written by a man during the Victorian Era.
Some critics have come to agree that Alice may be a “rebel” by attempting to break out of the everyday stereotypes of women. Alice’s confidence and curiosity seems to break the shell of a Victorian woman. One critic in particular, Megan S. Lloyd, believes that Alice’s traits are a vital characteristic of a revolutionary woman, and also crucially important to “an ideal role model for our society.” Lloyd also states that women in today’s society seem to rely on Alice and think, “What would Alice do?”
Other critics tend to disagree with Lloyds beliefs. Such as Carina Garland who believes Alice is being portrayed as the “slave” to the men of the novel. She refers to the scene of the mushroom, with Alice and the caterpillar where Alice does not hesitate to go by the caterpillar’s instruction. "One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter." Although, Garland makes a valid point about the passage, “Alice doesn't know what the food will do to her, but is told she must eat it…The result…is that the [instruction] completely denies her knowledge and therefore any control over what she consumes and the changes her body undertakes as a result of this eating” (31). From Garland’s point of view, Alice exemplifies the “passive” feminism and is completely controlled by the dominance over the male control surrounding her.
Typical Questions about Feminism:
1. How is the relationship between men and woman portrayed?
Lewis Carroll demonstrates in the novel that when women are easily controlled, such as Alice, by the men around her.
2. How are male and female roles defined?
The other female roles in the novel, such as the Queen of Hearts, have too much power and are out of control. Their power is “frightening and violent.” Lewis Carroll believes that the power should be in control by men because they handle themselves with control and are calm in all their encounters with distress.
3. What role does the work play in terms of women's literary history and literary tradition?
The work demonstrates that men should have the power in a nation. That when women have control things become chaotic and violent. This shows that, just like in history, Men have always had the dominance of their country.
“Feminist criticism examines the ways in which literature (and other cultural productions) reinforces or undermines the economic, political, social and psychological oppression of women.” Feminism is a view portraying to the reader of the reality of how gender roles are played in regular day to day life. Alice in Wonderland is such a magnificent “case” of feminism because that the novel was written by a man during the Victorian Era.
Some critics have come to agree that Alice may be a “rebel” by attempting to break out of the everyday stereotypes of women. Alice’s confidence and curiosity seems to break the shell of a Victorian woman. One critic in particular, Megan S. Lloyd, believes that Alice’s traits are a vital characteristic of a revolutionary woman, and also crucially important to “an ideal role model for our society.” Lloyd also states that women in today’s society seem to rely on Alice and think, “What would Alice do?”
Other critics tend to disagree with Lloyds beliefs. Such as Carina Garland who believes Alice is being portrayed as the “slave” to the men of the novel. She refers to the scene of the mushroom, with Alice and the caterpillar where Alice does not hesitate to go by the caterpillar’s instruction. "One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter." Although, Garland makes a valid point about the passage, “Alice doesn't know what the food will do to her, but is told she must eat it…The result…is that the [instruction] completely denies her knowledge and therefore any control over what she consumes and the changes her body undertakes as a result of this eating” (31). From Garland’s point of view, Alice exemplifies the “passive” feminism and is completely controlled by the dominance over the male control surrounding her.
Typical Questions about Feminism:
1. How is the relationship between men and woman portrayed?
Lewis Carroll demonstrates in the novel that when women are easily controlled, such as Alice, by the men around her.
2. How are male and female roles defined?
The other female roles in the novel, such as the Queen of Hearts, have too much power and are out of control. Their power is “frightening and violent.” Lewis Carroll believes that the power should be in control by men because they handle themselves with control and are calm in all their encounters with distress.
3. What role does the work play in terms of women's literary history and literary tradition?
The work demonstrates that men should have the power in a nation. That when women have control things become chaotic and violent. This shows that, just like in history, Men have always had the dominance of their country.
Marxist Criticism
Sarah Pumphrey
Along with feminism, Carroll portrays another theme within "The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland": the Marxist Theory. Karl Marx worked with theories involving the social classes, and how they act, are educated, and how that has an effect on a people. In Carroll's short novel, a high class is showcased, and parodied. Royals are portrayed as this "mad" and dazed, doing whatever they please. These "heads of society" have followers and servants, who seem to understand their madness, but do not possess it. Literature often uses strong stereotypes, depending on the author's social class. Karl Marx believed that "...stable societies develop sites of resistance: contradictions build into the social system that ultimately lead to social revolution and the development of a new society upon the old" (1088). This statement holds the idea that these contradictions and stereotypes are what our society builds on. Stereotypes in the Victorian Age of England, particularly the upper class, fueled the ideas of Lewis Carroll.
Although Alice is not a royal, she is portrayed as a young woman of a high class in her time. Her nose is turned up, and she has obviously lived a privileged lifestyle. She gloats her manners, and is proud of all that she has learned in school, and with education being a big part of Marx's societal theory, Alice plays into stereotypes. Alice is proud of herself, being a "great girl" (ch. 2) , and treating herself to luxuries (such as new boots every Christmas) because she believes she deserves them (ch. 2). This may be Carroll making an opinion about the higher classes in society at the time of the novella.
Marx hypothesizes that the tone of literature reflects the authors' own social class. In mind of this theory, one might infer that Carroll is a lower class citizen, as he speaks of the higher classes with sarcasm and exaggerations. However, Carroll was of a family who was high in the church, and Lewis himself received high education at Oxford University. With this in mind, Carroll could be contradicting his fellow high class citizens, as Marx mentions, and becoming aware of the stereotypes that surround him. Carroll portrays his own social class as a snobbish and somewhat slothful body of people.
Marxist Questions:
1. Which class does the work claim to represent?
"The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" represents the Royal of Victorian England, as well as the aristocrats of that time. Alice representation of the young aristocratic class whom where educated and had many privileges. These two classes are very exaggerated and stereotypes in the story.
2. What social classes do the characters represent?
The animals that Alice first meets seem to be the lower class. They are telling stories for entertainment, and do not seem to be as educated as the characters that Alice later meets, however they seem to appreciate their intelligence more, and use it to their best ability. Later, Alice meets characters such as the Queen, who are educated, but have others do everything for them. They seem bossy and engulfed by the material world that is as much theirs as they want it to be. These characters have authority over whomever they please.
3. How do characters from different classes interact or conflict?
Characters in different social classes do not interact well with one another in "Alice in Wonderland" During the croquet game this is perfectly illustrated, as the Queen is rude to, and will kill anyone who is lower in class than she. Animals that Alice meets in the beginning, who are not clothed, do not seem to interact with the clothed and more fortunate creatures.
Citations:
Brize, Tompkins, Allen, J. Case. "Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)." Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2010): n. page. Web. 11 Jan. 2013. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/11/>.
Brize, Tompkins, Allen, J. Case. "Marxist Criticism (1930s-present)." Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2010): n. page. Web. 11 Jan. 2013. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/05/>.
Although Alice is not a royal, she is portrayed as a young woman of a high class in her time. Her nose is turned up, and she has obviously lived a privileged lifestyle. She gloats her manners, and is proud of all that she has learned in school, and with education being a big part of Marx's societal theory, Alice plays into stereotypes. Alice is proud of herself, being a "great girl" (ch. 2) , and treating herself to luxuries (such as new boots every Christmas) because she believes she deserves them (ch. 2). This may be Carroll making an opinion about the higher classes in society at the time of the novella.
Marx hypothesizes that the tone of literature reflects the authors' own social class. In mind of this theory, one might infer that Carroll is a lower class citizen, as he speaks of the higher classes with sarcasm and exaggerations. However, Carroll was of a family who was high in the church, and Lewis himself received high education at Oxford University. With this in mind, Carroll could be contradicting his fellow high class citizens, as Marx mentions, and becoming aware of the stereotypes that surround him. Carroll portrays his own social class as a snobbish and somewhat slothful body of people.
Marxist Questions:
1. Which class does the work claim to represent?
"The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" represents the Royal of Victorian England, as well as the aristocrats of that time. Alice representation of the young aristocratic class whom where educated and had many privileges. These two classes are very exaggerated and stereotypes in the story.
2. What social classes do the characters represent?
The animals that Alice first meets seem to be the lower class. They are telling stories for entertainment, and do not seem to be as educated as the characters that Alice later meets, however they seem to appreciate their intelligence more, and use it to their best ability. Later, Alice meets characters such as the Queen, who are educated, but have others do everything for them. They seem bossy and engulfed by the material world that is as much theirs as they want it to be. These characters have authority over whomever they please.
3. How do characters from different classes interact or conflict?
Characters in different social classes do not interact well with one another in "Alice in Wonderland" During the croquet game this is perfectly illustrated, as the Queen is rude to, and will kill anyone who is lower in class than she. Animals that Alice meets in the beginning, who are not clothed, do not seem to interact with the clothed and more fortunate creatures.
Citations:
Brize, Tompkins, Allen, J. Case. "Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)." Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2010): n. page. Web. 11 Jan. 2013. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/11/>.
Brize, Tompkins, Allen, J. Case. "Marxist Criticism (1930s-present)." Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2010): n. page. Web. 11 Jan. 2013. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/05/>.