Through the Looking Glass (Chapters 7-12)
by Brittany
Characters InvolvedAlice
The White King
Haigha
Hatta
Lion
Unicorn
the Red Knight
the White Knight
the White Queen
the Red Queen
Dinah
Snowdrop
Places VisitedThe Wood
The Brook
The Dinner Party
Alice's home
Memorable Quotes"Well, now that we have seen each other," said the Unicorn, "if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you. Is that a bargain?" (The Unicorn to Alice, Chapter 7)
"I don't want to be anybody's prisoner. I want to be Queen."..."So you will, when you've crossed the brook,' said the White Knight. 'I'll see you safe to the end of the wood--and then I must go back, you know. That's the end of my move." (The White Knight to Alice, Chapter 8)
"What do you mean by 'If you really are a Queen'? What right have you to call yourself so? You can't be Queen, you know, till you've passed the proper examination. And the sooner we begin it the better." (The Red Queen to Alice, Chapter 9).
"The Red Queen made no resistance whatever: only her face grew very small, and her eyes got large and green: and still, as Alice went on shaking her, she kept on growing shorter--and fatter--and softer--and rounder--and---" (Chapter 10)
"--and it really was a kitten, after all" (Chapter 11).
"You see, Kitty, it must have been either me or the Red King. He was part of my dream, of course--but then I was part of his dream, too! Was the Red King, Kitty? You were his wife, my dear, you ought to know--Oh, Kitty, do help to settle it!'...Which do you think it was?" (Alice to her Kitten, Chapter 12)
SummaryAn army of soldiers race through the wood forcing Alice to take shelter behind a tree. She observes that the soldiers trip over themselves, and the horses that come after them do the same. Alice meets up with the White King who is writing in his memorandum. He tells her why he sent out the soldiers and horses while they wait for his two messengers to arrive. Haigha, one of the White King's messengers, arrives alerting that the Lion and the Unicorn are fighting for the crown again, and they race to see the fight. There, they meet up with Hatta, the other of the two messengers. The Lion and the Unicorn tire of fighting, and rest for refreshment. The Unicorn walks past them, inquiring what Alice is, and is amazed that she can speak. They both agree to believe in each other. Alice passes around a plum cake, but before they can enjoy it the drums sound, prompting the Lion and the Unicorn to leave town.
As the noise dies down, Alice wonders if the Lion and the Unicorn were a dream, but the dish lying at her feet confirms their presence. Suddenly the Red Knight gallops toward her yelling that he's taking her prisoner, before falling off of his horse. Before the Red Knight could get his bearings, the White Knight comes to rescue her. The Red and White Knights battle for Alice, but shake hands in the end, the White Knight winning the battle. The White Knight alerts Alice that she will become a queen once she crosses the brook. He will help her through the wood, but that is as far as he can move. During their journey, they discuss his many inventions and his ability, or lack thereof, to ride horses. The Knight asks Alice to see him off before she leaves, and she waits until he vanishes before moving across the brook. She races to the edge of the brook, throws herself into the soft moss and realizes that there is a golden crown on her head.
Alice is amazed at how quickly she becomes queen, and she reminds herself that queens are always dignified. She finds herself sandwiched between the Red and White Queen. Alice timidly asks if the game is over yet, only to be instructed by the Red Queen that she should only speak when spoken to. Both the Red and White Queen banter with Alice about addition, subtraction, and the manners of a Queen. The White Queen also reveals that there will be a party thrown for Alice, and invites the Red Queen. Alice believes that because it is her party, she should be the one to invite others. After both queens have talked their fill, they both fall asleep on Alice's shoulder, and then vanish. Suddenly Alice is standing before an arched doorway with "Queen Alice" etched into the top of it. She knocks trying to get in, but she is met with a frog who tells her that she shouldn't do that. He kicks the door once, and it finally opens. Voices sing of the feast celebrating Alice and her guests. Alice is met with guests of all types, both animal and human, and is relieved that they all knew to come with out being asked. The Red and White Queen are already seated. The Red Queen tells her that she has missed the soup, and introduces her to a leg of mutton; however now that they have been introduced, it is not proper etiquette to partake of him. Alice is also introduced to the pudding, much to her disdain; however, she calls for the pudding to be brought back and takes a slice. Afterward, the Red Queen suggests that Alice give a speech. As soon as she begins the speech, The White Queen screams that something is about to happen. With those words everything is thrown into confusion; the candles grew to the ceiling, silverware fluttered in every direction. The White Queen disappeared into the soup, and the Red queen shrank to the size of a small doll. Alice catches her, threatening to shake her into a kitten.
As Alice shook the Red queen, her body began to morph, growing softer, fatter, and rounder, and...Suddenly Alice awakens, holding Dinah, her kitten. She's now home. Alice implores the kittens to reveal to her if they actually were the Red and White Queens. No matter how much she asks, Dinah, the kitten continues to lick her paws.
Questions for consideration:
Was this whole ordeal a dream?
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