# The Lion and the Unicorn explained — Through the Looking-Glass

> Chapter companion for Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll.

## What happens

Alice observes the Lion and the Unicorn fighting for the crown, meets the Unicorn and the Lion, and experiences the absurdities of Looking-glass logic, including a self-dividing cake and a drumming that drives her across a brook.

## Themes in this chapter

### Logic and Nonsense

The cake that joins again after being cut and the instruction to 'hand it round first, and cut it afterwards' exemplify Looking-glass logic.

### Power and Authority

The Lion and Unicorn fight for the crown, while the King nervously notes it is his crown all along, highlighting the absurdity of power struggles.

### Identity and Self

Alice is called 'the Monster' and questions her own identity when the Unicorn and Lion ask what she is.

## Character check-ins

### Alice

Alice interacts with the Lion, Unicorn, and King, is called 'the Monster,' and flees across a brook when the drums begin.

### Lion

The Lion fights the Unicorn for the crown, rests for refreshments, and questions Alice's nature.

### Unicorn

The Unicorn fights the Lion, bargains with Alice to believe in each other, and comments on the cake.

### White King

The King nervously mediates between the Lion and Unicorn, makes a memorandum about the White Queen, and sends messengers.

### Haigha

Haigha introduces Alice to the Unicorn, fetches the cake, and interacts with Hatta.

### Hatta

Hatta is just out of prison, eats bread-and-butter, and reports on the fight's progress.

## Key lines

> Well, now that we have seen each other, if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you. Is that a bargain?

Since we've met, if you trust that I'm real, I'll trust that you're real. Agreed?

_The Unicorn proposes a mutual belief pact with Alice, reflecting the theme of identity and perception._

> You don't know how to manage Looking-glass cakes. Hand it round first, and cut it afterwards.

You're not familiar with how cakes work here. Pass it around, then slice it.

_The Unicorn explains the backward logic of the Looking-glass world, where the order of actions is reversed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/vii-the-lion-and-the-unicorn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters