Through the Looking-Glass · Chapter
List of Illustrations explained
This chapter presents a series of illustrations that visually depict key moments from Alice's journey through the Looking-Glass world, including her encounters with the Red Queen, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, and the White Knig
What happens
This chapter presents a series of illustrations that visually depict key moments from Alice's journey through the Looking-Glass world, including her encounters with the Red Queen, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, and the White Knight, as well as scenes of the Jabberwock, the talking flowers, and the final feast where Alice becomes Queen.
Themes in this chapter
Reality and Dreams
The illustrations blur the line between Alice's waking world and the fantastical dreamscape of the Looking-Glass, culminating in her waking to find it was all a dream.
Language and Meaning
The inclusion of 'Jabberwocky' and Alice's confusion over its language highlights the theme of nonsensical language and the search for meaning.
Characters to notice
- Alice
Depicted in multiple illustrations: as a pawn, passing through the glass, meeting the Red Queen, riding the railway, helping the White Queen, and crowned as Queen Alice.
- Red Queen
Shown running with Alice and later asleep at the feast.
- Tweedledum
Illustrated as one of the two fat little men, stamping about and tearing his hair.
- Tweedledee
Shown with a bolster arranged around his neck by Alice.
- Humpty Dumpty
Depicted sitting cross-legged like a Turk on top of a high wall.
- White Knight
Illustrated sliding down a poker.
Key passages
“White Pawn (Alice) to play, and win in eleven moves.”
Alice is the White Pawn and must win the chess game in eleven moves.
Sets up the chess metaphor for the entire story.
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!”
A warning is given to be cautious of the fearsome Jabberwock.
Reference to the poem 'Jabberwocky' and its theme of danger.
“It’s all in some language I don’t know,” she said to herself.”
Alice realizes the poem is written in an unfamiliar language.
Highlights Alice's struggle with the nonsensical language of the Looking-Glass world.