# II: The Pool of Tears explained — Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

> Chapter companion for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

## What happens

Alice, having grown to over nine feet tall, cries in frustration, creating a large pool of tears. She then shrinks after picking up the White Rabbit's fan, accidentally dropping the key and slipping into the pool. There, she meets a Mouse and attempts conversation, offending it by mentioning her cat Dinah. They are joined by other wet creatures, and the group swims to shore.

## Themes in this chapter

### Growth and Identity

Alice's drastic size changes lead to a crisis of identity, questioning who she is and comparing herself to other girls like Mabel.

### Language and Communication

Alice's attempts to communicate with the Mouse—using formal English, French, and unfortunate topics—highlight the absurdity and difficulty of cross-species dialogue.

## Character check-ins

### Alice

Struggles with her changing size and identity, cries a pool of tears, shrinks, and meets the Mouse in the pool.

### The White Rabbit

Appears briefly, splendidly dressed and in a hurry, drops his fan and gloves when startled by Alice.

### The Mouse

Falls into the pool of tears, is offended by Alice's talk of cats and dogs, and agrees to tell his history on shore.

### The Dodo

Mentioned as one of the creatures that has fallen into the pool, swimming to shore with the party.

### The Lory

Mentioned as one of the creatures that has fallen into the pool, swimming to shore with the party.

## Key lines

> "Curiouser and curiouser!" cried Alice

Alice exclaims in surprise at her rapid growth, forgetting proper English.

_Highlights her astonishment and the breakdown of normal language._

> "Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle!"

Alice questions her own identity after her physical transformations.

_Central moment of identity crisis triggered by bodily change._

> "I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears!"

Alice realizes she is swimming in the pool of tears she cried when she was giant.

_Illustrates the literal and ironic consequences of her earlier emotions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/alices_adventures_in_wonderland_se/chapters/ii-the-pool-of-tears
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/alices_adventures_in_wonderland_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/alices_adventures_in_wonderland_se/chapters