Abstract:
“Through the Looking Glass and what Alice found there” was published in 1871 as the
sequel to Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and has seldom received as
much attention as its predecessor. Both novels share recurring characters and thematically
similar events although “Through the Looking Glass” chronologically takes place six months
after “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865). This essay explores the symbolic variations
used in “Through the Looking Glass” (1865) and how they present (arguably) adult themes in
a novel intended for younger audiences. It will also comment on the use of poetry and it’s
effectiveness in story-telling, with reference to illustrious verses found in the novel such as
"Jabberwocky" and "The Walrus and the Carpenter." Using literary theory to deconstruct the
themes in “Through the Looking Glass,” this essay seeks to compare and contrast both the
aforementioned novels while highlighting why the sequel is a masterpiece in terms of the 17th
century children’s fiction.
