A study of symbolism in Lewis Carroll’s “through the looking glass”

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.