Auxillium Article #2

Every time I have to write something, even examples for my 5th grade writing class, I think of Ron Horton and how much he helped me and was patient with me as his student.  He competes for best teacher I ever had  (there are four greats).   Tonight I drink to Dr. Ron Horton, along with Queen Alice’s health.

In researching the literary significance of Alice in Wonderland, I fell down some critic’s hole and found myself in a land of wonder.  I wondered at the Freudian abilities to interpret Carroll’s story into some sexually repressed and frustrated expression.  I wandered into a discussion about the nonsense of Carroll–ad ridiculum.  I meandered by the idea that Carroll didactically inserted non-morals ironically, in order to teach children moral lessons.  My stroll soon led to a criticism that Lewis Carroll was archly opposed to the didacticism that plagued children’s literature of his day.   I scuttled past the feminist determined that Alice was the perfect heroine.  I began getting entangled in the labyrinth the critics had created; but unlike Alice, I could not just scream at them, “You’re not real!”  However, I decided to take a deep breath and make my own assessment.  

Lewis Carroll was a mathematician and logician who attempted to push his photography hobby into the realm of artwork.  He has contributed both serious and silly poetry to the canon of English literature.  Most of his serious work has been rejected, but both Alice novels have proven popular additions to the canon; outside of Scripture and Shakespeare, they are the most often quoted texts in the English language. 

Alice is an endearing protagonist, but far from perfect.  She makes great effort to follow the rules of etiquette and display her intelligence; but the ever-changing world around her brings out her insensitivity and rudeness.  Instead of trying to idealize Alice, we should join her for the journey through Wonderland. 

We are able plunge into a world where anything can happen.  And even though we may not think of Alice as the traditional fairy tale—in which we become a princess with supernatural tactile abilities in her back, or a prince who fights a fire breathing dragon—it is a great exercise for our imaginations.  The fast pace of this novel allows children to be delighted at all the odd creatures, and Carroll’s signature ability to push adages or common sayings to their comical logical limits amuses the adult reader. 

I could go on and on ad nausium about the brilliance and classical foundation of Carroll’s humorous quips, or the importance of exposing children to fantasy in order to develop a strong imagination; but I will let your imagination soar as you read the book for yourself.

I invite you to come to Brainerd Duffield’s adaptation of Alice and forget about the jumble of critiques or interpretations you may have heard throughout your life, and simply enjoy this delightfully enchanting story.

Come one, come all.

Thank you, Lauren, so much for your phenomenal work!  This production would be quite dull without it!  You have been a priceless help to me! 

So, here goes my first independent venture directing!  I’ve been having so much fun.  I hope you all get to come see what the students have learned in the last several weeks!