Avdekking av maktspill: Identitetsforhandlinger og maktbalanse i Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

Abstract

Lewis Carroll's Alice books have long been subject to diverse interpretations, with one prominent view presenting Alice's adventures as a psychedelic journey. This perspective, popularized since the 1960s, suggests that the nonsensical nature of the narrative mirrors the effects of narcotics. However, this thesis challenges such readings and proposes a deeper exploration of Carroll's narrative style. Drawing on insights from Beatrice Turners' analysis in the article "’Which is to be master?’: Language as Power in Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass," this thesis reframes the interpretation of Alice's adventures. Instead of viewing them solely through the lens of drug culture, the narrative is examined as a nuanced exploration of power dynamics between adults and children during the "Golden Age" of children's literature. Through a detailed examination of language use and Alice's interactions with certain characters within the narrative, this thesis argues that Carroll's storytelling serves as a mechanism to thematize and interrogate the authority and identity dynamics prevalent in Victorian society. By imagining Alice's interactions as adult-child dialogues, the thesis unveils the complexities of power relations embedded within the text, hidden behind a whimsical facade. Ultimately, the thesis contends that Carroll's portrayal of "adult society" from a child's perspective reveals not only the vulnerability of children but also the manipulative tendencies of some adults. By shedding light on these dynamics, Carroll prompts readers to reconsider conventional notions of authority and childhood, offering a profound commentary on societal norms and power structures.

Lewis Carroll's Alice books have long been subject to diverse interpretations, with one prominent view presenting Alice's adventures as a psychedelic journey. This perspective, popularized since the 1960s, suggests that the nonsensical nature of the narrative mirrors the effects of narcotics. However, this thesis challenges such readings and proposes a deeper exploration of Carroll's narrative style. Drawing on insights from Beatrice Turners' analysis in the article "’Which is to be master?’: Language as Power in Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass," this thesis reframes the interpretation of Alice's adventures. Instead of viewing them solely through the lens of drug culture, the narrative is examined as a nuanced exploration of power dynamics between adults and children during the "Golden Age" of children's literature. Through a detailed examination of language use and Alice's interactions with certain characters within the narrative, this thesis argues that Carroll's storytelling serves as a mechanism to thematize and interrogate the authority and identity dynamics prevalent in Victorian society. By imagining Alice's interactions as adult-child dialogues, the thesis unveils the complexities of power relations embedded within the text, hidden behind a whimsical facade. Ultimately, the thesis contends that Carroll's portrayal of "adult society" from a child's perspective reveals not only the vulnerability of children but also the manipulative tendencies of some adults. By shedding light on these dynamics, Carroll prompts readers to reconsider conventional notions of authority and childhood, offering a profound commentary on societal norms and power structures.