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1. Read the extract from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) by Lewis Carroll and then
respond to the assignment brief following it in an essay format.
Essay 1
Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) remains one of the most celebrated works
of children's literature because of its imaginative storytelling, memorable characters, and playful use
of language. In this extract, Alice falls down the rabbit hole while reflecting on her surroundings, her
knowledge, and her beloved cat, Dinah. Although very little physical action occurs, Carroll
maintains the reader’s interest through effective narrative techniques and stylistic choices. This essay
argues that the narrative techniques of setting, characterisation, and point of view, together with the
stylistic elements of humour, repetition, and diction, work together to create a sense of wonder while
revealing Alice’s curious and imaginative personality. These techniques encourage readers to
experience the strange world alongside Alice and prepare them for the extraordinary events that
follow.
One of the most significant narrative techniques in the extract is the setting. The rabbit hole is
presented as an unusual and mysterious place that immediately removes Alice from the ordinary
world. Rather than describing the environment in great detail, Carroll focuses on the endless descent
through phrases such as “Down, down, down.” The repeated description of the fall creates the
impression that Alice has entered a space where normal rules of time and distance no longer apply.
The setting is important because it marks the transition between reality and fantasy. As Alice falls,
she imagines reaching “the centre of the earth” and wonders whether she will emerge in “New
Zealand or Australia.” These geographical references create a contrast between familiar knowledge
and an unfamiliar environment, highlighting the dreamlike quality of the journey. The setting
therefore establishes the atmosphere of curiosity and uncertainty that defines the novel (Carroll,
1865).
Characterisation is another important narrative technique used throughout the extract. Carroll
presents Alice as intelligent, curious, and imaginative, while also reminding readers that she is still a
child. Alice attempts to apply what she has learned in school by calculating how far she has fallen
and mentioning “Latitude” and “Longitude.” However, the narrator reveals that she “had no idea
what Latitude was, or Longitude either,” exposing the gap between memorising information and
truly understanding it. This humorous contradiction makes Alice appear realistic and relatable. Her
concern for her cat, Dinah, further develops her caring nature. Even while falling through the air, she
wonders whether Dinah will receive her milk and imagines bringing her companion along on the
journey. These details reveal Alice as compassionate and thoughtful despite the unusual situation.
Carroll’s careful characterisation encourages readers to sympathise with Alice and share her
excitement as she enters an unfamiliar world (Nikolajeva, 2014).
The third narrative technique is the use of third-person narration with a limited point of view.
Although the story is narrated by an external narrator, readers experience events almost entirely
through Alice’s thoughts and observations. The narrator frequently comments on Alice’s thinking,
explaining, for example, that “it was good practice to say it over” even though nobody was listening.
This close perspective allows readers to understand Alice’s confusion, curiosity, and imagination
while maintaining the playful narrative voice that characterises the novel. The narrator also addresses
the audience directly with questions such as, “Do you think you could manage it?” This creates a
conversational relationship between the narrator and the reader, making the story more engaging and
encouraging readers to imagine themselves in Alice’s position.
1. Read the extract from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) by Lewis Carroll and then
respond to the assignment brief following it in an essay format.
Essay 1
Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) remains one of the most celebrated works
of children's literature because of its imaginative storytelling, memorable characters, and playful use
of language. In this extract, Alice falls down the rabbit hole while reflecting on her surroundings, her
knowledge, and her beloved cat, Dinah. Although very little physical action occurs, Carroll
maintains the reader’s interest through effective narrative techniques and stylistic choices. This essay
argues that the narrative techniques of setting, characterisation, and point of view, together with the
stylistic elements of humour, repetition, and diction, work together to create a sense of wonder while
revealing Alice’s curious and imaginative personality. These techniques encourage readers to
experience the strange world alongside Alice and prepare them for the extraordinary events that
follow.
One of the most significant narrative techniques in the extract is the setting. The rabbit hole is
presented as an unusual and mysterious place that immediately removes Alice from the ordinary
world. Rather than describing the environment in great detail, Carroll focuses on the endless descent
through phrases such as “Down, down, down.” The repeated description of the fall creates the
impression that Alice has entered a space where normal rules of time and distance no longer apply.
The setting is important because it marks the transition between reality and fantasy. As Alice falls,
she imagines reaching “the centre of the earth” and wonders whether she will emerge in “New
Zealand or Australia.” These geographical references create a contrast between familiar knowledge
and an unfamiliar environment, highlighting the dreamlike quality of the journey. The setting
therefore establishes the atmosphere of curiosity and uncertainty that defines the novel (Carroll,
1865).
Characterisation is another important narrative technique used throughout the extract. Carroll
presents Alice as intelligent, curious, and imaginative, while also reminding readers that she is still a
child. Alice attempts to apply what she has learned in school by calculating how far she has fallen
and mentioning “Latitude” and “Longitude.” However, the narrator reveals that she “had no idea
what Latitude was, or Longitude either,” exposing the gap between memorising information and
truly understanding it. This humorous contradiction makes Alice appear realistic and relatable. Her
concern for her cat, Dinah, further develops her caring nature. Even while falling through the air, she
wonders whether Dinah will receive her milk and imagines bringing her companion along on the
journey. These details reveal Alice as compassionate and thoughtful despite the unusual situation.
Carroll’s careful characterisation encourages readers to sympathise with Alice and share her
excitement as she enters an unfamiliar world (Nikolajeva, 2014).
The third narrative technique is the use of third-person narration with a limited point of view.
Although the story is narrated by an external narrator, readers experience events almost entirely
through Alice’s thoughts and observations. The narrator frequently comments on Alice’s thinking,
explaining, for example, that “it was good practice to say it over” even though nobody was listening.
This close perspective allows readers to understand Alice’s confusion, curiosity, and imagination
while maintaining the playful narrative voice that characterises the novel. The narrator also addresses
the audience directly with questions such as, “Do you think you could manage it?” This creates a
conversational relationship between the narrator and the reader, making the story more engaging and
encouraging readers to imagine themselves in Alice’s position.
