Alices Adventures in Wonderland - Book Report/Review Example

"Throughout her adventures, Alice is confronted with the problem of her shifting identity, a problem aggravated and in large part caused by the inconsistencies of Wonderland. The theme of maturation is also in evidence here" (Kelly, 20) Therefore, the underlying themes of the novel can be significantly realized as dealing with the world of the children. However, there is an unchallengeable appeal of these themes to the adults which earned the novel many adult admirers throughout the world. In an understanding of the elements in the piece which contribute to its great appeal to the people of every age, it becomes lucid that the themes of growing up and finding one's identity are a reflection and product of the Victorian age.

One of the most essential themes of the novel by Lewis Carroll is the growth of maturation and the finding of one's identity. In the novel, Alice undertakes adventures which are equivalent to life's journey from childhood to adulthood. Throughout the novel, the character meets several strange situations and adaptability is the absolute requirement for success in both the adventures. The novel expresses obvious progress in the personality of Alice, and in the course of the work, one finds that the character is developing in her mental composure and adult feeling.

At the beginning of the adventure, Alice could hardly preserve enough serenity and meet the demands of the situations. She is not sure about her real identity in the beginning and struggles to realize her true personality. "'Who in the world am I' Ah, that's the great puzzle!" (Carroll, 60) However, as the novel reaches its close, she has considerable progress in maturation and is successful in holding herself against the most inexplicable Wonderland logic. She overcomes the threat to her identity by the end of the novel to be completely aware of her selfhood, and she asserts, "You're nothing but a pack of cards!

" (Carroll, 154) Thus, there is a gradual development in her personality and the realization of the identity. As she develops through the time, she achieves her maturation and feeling of her identity. As the themes of growing up and finding one's identity are apparently the most significant concern of the novel, it is important to relate here that these themes are a reflection and creation of the Victorian age which is marked by its illusionary world. Every individual in a particular period was living in a wonderland which is apparently the most pleasing feeling to the people.

However, as one grows mature in reality and begins to realize the ground root realism, the land becomes a difficult place to live in. thus, the Victorian people, as time passed on, realized the specific reality of the time which first was a thrilling experience. They began to realize the period not in terms of the false impressions, but in a mature understanding of realities. This is the specific situation that appears in the Victorian world, and it is evidently reflected and reproduced in the novel by Carroll.

As the novel progresses, Alice achieves maturation in her being and finds the exact identity of her being. Thus, the things which once seemed in an appealing way turn up to arouse no interest, and she, as the Victorian people achieves the understanding of reality, realizes the secret of Wonderland. "It quickly becomes apparent that Wonderland is not a promised land.