Reading Diary B: The Looking Glass (continued)

My Own Invention

When Alice mentioned Punch and Judy I got so excited. I just learned about the Mr. Punch puppet show a week ago while watching a Buzzfeed video. The video discussed the origins of different sayings and I learned that the saying “pleased as punch” is in reference to the Mr. Punch puppet show. It was such a great coincidence that I watched that video because it allowed me to understand the reference Alice was making comparing the knights and the puppet. Other than my excitement over the Mr. Punch reference, this story was not my favorite. I tried and tried but I could not get into this story. The first half of the story was great but this half did not capture much of my attention. The knights just were not as interesting as Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

(illustration by John Tenniel)

Reading Diary A: Through the Looking-Glass

Through the Looking-Glass

I was so excited to start reading this story! I read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when I was in elementary school but I never got around to reading the second novel, Through the Looking-Glass. It seems like this school year has been full of Alice in Wonderland for me. I wrote my final capstone paper on the character of Alice and her self-concept and stages of her self-identity. I had to watch both the animated version and the live action remake with Johnny Depp. I also had to reread some of the first novel and do a lot of research on Carrol’s process when writing the character of Alice. I also remember seeing the remake for the first time. It was my first 3D IMAX movie and I saw it with one of my best friends.

Tweedledum and Tweedledee

Tweedledum and Tweedledee are two of my favorite characters besides the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat. I remember reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and being slightly confused whenever the two boys would speak but also laughing once I finally figured out what they were talking about. I love the way they always contradict each other like many siblings do. The poem that they recited in the story was quite entertaining. I could actually picture the boys reciting this poem to Alice. Poor Alice, constantly being told that you are not real must be quite frustrating! 

(Illustration by John Tenniel)