“Alice Through the Looking-Glass”, written by Lewis Carroll and published in 1871, is the sequel to the famous children’s novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. In this story, Alice once again finds herself in a strange and magical world—this time by stepping through a mirror into a place called the Looking-Glass World.
A Backwards Wonderland
Unlike Wonderland, the Looking-Glass World is a mirror image of reality. Everything is reversed: logic, time, and even behavior. Clocks run backward, people speak in riddles, and nothing is ever quite what it seems. This strange world reflects Carroll’s love of wordplay, puzzles, and satire.
A Chessboard Adventure
The entire story is set up like a giant chess game. Alice becomes a pawn in this game, and as she travels across the chessboard-like land, she aims to become a queen. Along the way, she meets a number of unusual characters, such as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, the White Queen, and the Red King. Each of them adds to the story’s absurd charm and deeper meaning.
Themes and Symbolism
The book explores many deep ideas beneath its whimsical surface. One key theme is the concept of identity and change. Alice constantly questions who she is and struggles with the strange rules of the Looking-Glass World. Time and logic are treated in bizarre ways, which encourages readers to think more deeply about how the world works.
Legacy and Influence
“Alice Through the Looking-Glass” is more than just a children’s tale. Its clever wordplay, philosophical themes, and imaginative world have made it a timeless classic. It has inspired countless films, plays, artworks, and modern interpretations.
Conclusion
With its dreamlike setting and rich symbolism, Alice Through the Looking-Glass continues to captivate readers of all ages. It invites us to step into a world where the impossible becomes possible and to see reality from a different perspective—just by looking through the glass.
