Summer Work: Essay

Eddie Heinrich
Mrs. Bosch
AP English Lit
9 August 2008

Carroll and Wonderland

Charles Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was born on January 27, 1832 to parents Charles (an Anglican clergyman) and Frances in Cheshire. He was the fourth born, but the first boy of eleven Dodgson children – four boys and seven girls (Lewis Carroll). The family moved to Yorkshire when Dodgson was eleven years old, yet young Charles went away to a private school in Richmond when he was twelve. Only a couple years later, though, he was moved to Rugby school where he was less happy. Throughout his scholastic career, however, Dodgson excelled with ease (Lewis Carroll).
As a child, young Charles loved to read. It wasn’t long before he advanced to books of much greater difficulty than expected of his age group. The boy also loved to entertain, frequently acting and reciting for his family and friends. Charles, however, developed an irritable stammer when he was young which plagued him throughout his whole life (in some circles, it is believed that “he stammered only in adult company and was free and fluent with children, but there is no evidence to support this idea”) (Lewis Carroll, Leach 91).
The young Dodgson grew up to be an adult “about six feet tall, slender and handsome, with curling brown hair and blue or grey eyes” however “carrying himself rather stiffly and awkwardly” (Lewis Carroll). At the age of seventeen, he attended Christ Church college at Oxford and his mother died only two days after his transfer. Although possessing lousy study habits, the young genius worked through college almost effortlessly. After graduation, Dodgson was offered a job at Christ Church as a mathematics lecturer; the pay was substantial, however the work was a drab (Lewis Carroll).
Dodgson began writing as early as 1854 as his works (mostly short stories) were published in various newspapers and magazines. The author also had many literary friends including George McDonald, whose family Charles grew very fond of. Dodgson published Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1866 and its sequel Through the Looking Glass in 1871 – his most successful works. The main character, Alice, was derived from Alice McDonald (to whom Dodgson is controversially said to have had a pedofilic attraction to, however there is no evidence to confirm such a claim) (Lewis Carroll).
During his life, Dodgson took up the hobby of photography. Most of his pictures were of children, including nudes, which has brought up controversy over the possibility of pedofilia among various scholars. Dodgson did little traveling in his lifetime, never left his job at Christ Church until retirement, and never moved. The writer died in 1898, thirteen days before his birthday (Lewis Carroll).
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland begins with a little girl, Alice, sitting by a brook under a tree with her sister who was caught up in a book that didn’t appeal to the little protagonist. Alice is an extremely imaginative thirteen year-old girl who is coming of age and learning about life. As she sits by the brook, a white rabbit passes by, only this rabbit is talking to himself and looking at his coat pocket watch. Shocked at the sight, Alice follows the rabbit down a hole, however no ordinary hole, as it continues down in an abyss for quite a while; when she gets to the bottom, Alice ends up in Wonderland. From this point, Alice goes on an adventure as she struggles with foods and liquids that alter her size, meets and converses with human-like animals living under the tyrannical and demented King and Queen of Hearts, and constantly finds herself in trouble. Among these strange characters is a hookah-smoking caterpillar, a disappearing Cheshire cat, a hare, mouse, and mad hatter stuck in time, a crazed Duchess with a crazy cook and pig-baby, and a Gryphon with his story-telling Mock Turtle friend, as well as many others. Wonderland is not like the normal world, and Alice is caught up in a land of confusion. Among this confusion, Alice finds herself in a ridiculous trial over pastry theft before she leaves Wonderland only to find that it was all a dream.
One very prominent theme in the novel is growing up and dealing with the awkward changes that come with it, including losing and struggling to find a sense of identity as well as the responsibilities accompanying the change as well. Throughout the story, Alice comes upon drinks that make her grow as well as shrink, foods that make her grow, and a mushroom that upon consumption can do either. With this strange change bodily change, Alice questions who she is, stating that she knew who she was when she got up in the “morning, but”... “must have been changed several times since then” (Carroll 60). The poor desperate and confused girl simply asks, “who in the world am I?” (Carroll 19). As Alice goes through sudden and strange changes so quickly and constantly, she faces them shamefully and confusedly.
Another theme in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the inevitable and tragic loss of childhood innocence. At thirteen, Alice is at the age where she is blossoming into a young adult – with her physical changes, mental ones come as well. This happens through harsh realizations, revelations, and with an unfamiliar environment. Alice clumsily faces these changes saying, “I can’t remember things as I used – and I don’t keep the same size for ten minutes together!” signifying her mental development along with her physical one (Carroll 62). Alice is also exposed to new things, as symbolized by the caterpillar who, with his phallic shape, may symbolize a sexual threat (The Caterpillar’s Mushroom).
Another strong element in the story is imagery, which Carroll utilized very effectively to reinforce the themes. The images presented in the book are very imaginative, wondrous, and detailed. This includes settings and characters alike. As a result, the story appeals to children as a storybook, however the things present go much deeper than imaginative entertainment. This is very much in keeping with the themes of growing up and losing innocence, as the images are appealing and fun, yet hold much deeper meanings.
In writing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll created a literary work of art. Not only should the story be credited as genius for the imagination and unique story, but for the completely brilliant depth of it as well. The story is a must-know for the youngest children as well as the oldest scholars alike. For the kids, the book is fun and exciting and a joy to take part in (well, for the adults too). But not only that, the story is symbol-and-metaphor-packed as it conveys a very important message about growing up in a unique and complex way. Carroll’s story is a literary legend and should be regarded with high merit. The book just has so much to offer.


 Works Cited
Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. New York: William Morrow & Co., Inc., 1866.
Leach, Karoline. In the Shadow of the Dreamchild. London: Peter Owen Ltd, 1999.
Sparknotes. “The Caterpillar’s Mushroom.” 10 June 2008. SparkNotes LLC. 9 August 2008 .
Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia. “Lewis Carroll.” 9 August 2008. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 9 August 2008 .

Summer Work: BIblical Allusions

Eddie Heinrich
Mrs. Bosch
AP English 12
4 August 2008

Biblical Allusions

The Fall: Also known as “The Fall of Man.” In the book of Genesis, the first man and woman of Earth, Adam and Eve, live with God in a paradise - The Garden of Eden. They lived in innocent obedience to God, not knowing of good or evil and therefore forbidden to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. However, the Devil disguised as a serpent convinced Eve (who then convinced Adam) to eat the Forbidden Fruit by telling her, “your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” With this, God exiled Adam and Eve from the garden for eternity bringing about sin, natural sin, human nature, and lives of guilty disobedience to God. Commonly used as an allusion from a period of innocent and happy life to a time where purity is no longer.

The Flood: Also known as “The Great Flood.” In the book of Genesis, God saw the Earth as corrupt and believed that every intention in the hearts of men were wholly and continually evil. God regretted creating man so therefore decided to “blot out” every and all creatures he created on Earth with some exceptions. Seeing Noah as the truest follower of God, the Lord selected him to build an arc. God’s instructions were to bring his wife, his sons, and their wives along with one pair of “unclean” animals and seven pairs of “clean” animals. God then flooded the earth by making it rain for 40 days, and the water took 150 days to recede leaving the arc atop a mountain. It stayed there for 40 more days where afterward the passengers were left to repopulate the world. An allusion common with a dire means of starting over.

The Creation: The Creation According to Genesis. The creation of the world as a series of divine commands by God over a period of six days and resting on the seventh. (The seven days of the week, the seventh being Sunday or the Sabbath as a Christian day of worship and rest). On the first day, God created light. On the second, God created a firmament, the “heavens.” On the third, God separates earth from sea. On the fourth, God creates light in the firmament consisting of the sun moon and starts so there would be days, months, and years. On the fifth, God created sea creatures and birds to fill the heavens. Lastly on the sixth day, God created land creatures, Man in his “image,” and plants. Very common allusion of building or working for something followed by rest in both literature as well as pop culture.

The Mark of Cain: Also known as “The Curse of Cain.” In the Book of Genesis, the story of Cain and Abel tells of how Cain’s jealousy of his brother drives him to murder. As punishment, God placed a “mark” on Cain warning people that killing him would bring God’s vengeance. It is believed that this “curse” was passed to all descendants of Cain. In some religious sects, the curse is believed to be the traits present in people of African descent. Interpretations of the curse also include its possessor living as a vagabond on the earth, being a “servant to servants,” and being unsuccessful in agriculture as the earth will not provide for them. Common allusion with murderers and the consequences of their actions.

Lot and His Wife: Book of Genesis. Traveling to a new city to find residence, Abraham brought along his nephew Lot. However, their shepherds quarreled too often for them to continue together, so Abraham set Lot out to find a place to live elsewhere. Abraham continued to Canaan while Lot settled near the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Eight years later, God decided to destroy the five sinful cities of the plain on which Lot lived. God then sent angels to rescue Lot, his wife, and his two daughters. The Sodomites then went after the angels as they wanted to rape them, even refusing Lot’s offer of his two virgin daughters instead. Lot’s family was pulled out and rescued and told to leave and not look back at the cities during their destruction. However, Lot’s wife turned back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Allusion to drastic consequences due to curiosity after being warned otherwise.

Sodom and Gomorrah: Book of Genesis. Two cities destroyed by God with ”brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven” due to impenitent sin. The main underlying reasons for the destruction of the cities vary, being cruel treatment toward strangers for the Jewish faith whereas the Christian faith also bases the destruction on acts of homosexuality throughout the cities. The names of the cities have become synonymous for sexual deviancy and sinfulness, including the deriving of the word “sodomy.”

The Nativity: Also known as “The Nativity of Jesus.” The account of the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke to the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph. Conceived immaculately by the Holy Spirit and in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Prophets of Israel for the coming of a Messiah. The Nativity scene takes place in a nativity as there were no inns for Mary and Joseph to lodge in, so that is where she gave birth. It is said that Jesus was visited by three wise men from different lands bearing gifts, and finding him by following the North Star. Celebrated at Christmas.

Lazarus: From the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus raises Lazarus of Bethany from the dead. Used as an allusion to resurrection of the dead or a sudden restoration of heartbeat after it had stopped, known as the Lazarus Phenomenon.

The Crucifixion: The story of Jesus’s death according to all four Gospels. Includes his arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion on the cross, and his burial. Betrayed by Judas, Jesus’s location was told to Pontius Pilot who was out to kill him for being seen as “King of the Jews.” Jesus was forced to carry the cross to which he would be nailed to the top of to a hill and was crucified with another prisoner (whom Jesus granted passage to heaven). Jesus’s death on the cross was seen as necessary for the forgiveness of sins and the opening of heaven to all the souls in Purgatory. He rose from his death after three days, stayed on Earth with his disciples for forty more days, then rose to heaven along with his body. A common allusion involving a sacrificial death.

The Denial: Also known as “The Denial of Saint Peter.” The denial of association with Jesus by Saint Peter as told in all four Gospels. Jesus foretold to Peter that he shall deny him three times in one night, which he did. The first being to the servant girl of the high Priest after her accusation. The second to a group of people which the servant girl claimed Peter’s association to. The third being to an individual (or crowd) that claimed Peter’s Galilean accent was proof of being a disciple of Jesus.

Thirty Pieces of Silver: Judas was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus knew that it would be one of his disciples to give him away, and knew it would be Judas. Almost being necessary to fulfill the prophesy of the Messiah, Judas went ahead and turned Jesus in to the Roman authorities to be tried and, consequently, executed. Judas was then paid thirty pieces of silver for doing this.

David and Goliath (Philistines): The battle of David and Goliath of the Philistines according to the Gospel of Samuel. The Philistines are at war with the Israelites, and the leader of the Philistines, Goliath, steps forth and demands a one-on-one battle with the best Israeli warrior to decide the outcome of the battle, however all of the Israelites are afraid. David, a young boy who was bringing food to his brothers at combat, declares that he will step up and declines any armor and only brings with him a staff and slingshot. As David approached Goliath, Goliath curses David by his gods, but David states that his God will be the one who will lead him to victory. David then shoots Goliath in the head with a stone, bringing him down, then cuts of the giant’s head in victory. The Philistines flee in fear and are then chased by the Israelites.

Buddha/Buddhism: Gautama Buddha was born in Ancient India as a prince. At his birth, his father was told depending on his exposures outside of the palace, Gautama would become either a great King or spiritual man. Despite his father’s efforts to limit his life outside of the palace in hopes of his son becoming King, Gautama witnessed outside life in a way that changed his views entirely. Gautama witnessed a suffering man, a diseased man, a rotting corpse, and a monk - these are called The Four Sights. He then abandoned his present lifestyle for a new spiritual one. Through various methods of practice including meditation and anapanasati, Gautama achieved Enlightenment six years later at the age of 35. He then spent the rest of his life teaching his insights which became known as Buddhism. Buddhism is a very prominent religion in the East (Asia), with influence all around the world and consisting of numerous different sects. Buddhist beliefs and traditions differ with location and variation of the religion.

Golgotha: Translated as “The Place of Skull.” The original Greek name given to the place (sort of a hill or mountain) of the crucifixion of Jesus according to all four Gospels. The name was changed to Calvary in the King James version of the bible later on. Located outside of Jerusalem’s city walls.

The Prodigal Son: Also known as “The Lost Son.” Told in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. A man has two sons, and one of these sons demands his inheritance while his father is still alive and spends it frivolously in a distant country. After living recklessly, the son hits his low point and has to become a swine herder. He runs back home to his father who, to his surprise, welcomes him back with open arms and celebrates his return. The loyal son, however, becomes jealous of the seemingly favorable attitude toward his brother while he gets no praise for his faithfulness. The father then tells him that everything he owns will belong to his son as he is grateful for his loyalty, but that he should be happy that his brother has returned “from the dead.”

Revelations: Also known as Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John, and Revelation of Jesus Christ. Discusses the end of the world. Revelations begins with John receiving a message from God for the seven churches of Asia. He then has a vision about how evils will sweep over the world as good doers endure prosecution, yet they are promised eternal life for their devotion through it all at the end of the world. John then sees four angels holding back the winds of heaven, who place seals on the servants of God in Israel – a total of 144,000. John then foresees physical catastrophes to happen upon the world along with the wrath of God released upon persecutors of his followers. John then describes the Devil as a dragon at war with God working through the Roman Emperor. He then gives the Devil the number 666 – as “the number of the Beast.” Three angels are then supposed to appear with a different message about the wrath of God and the fate of the world. Seven more appear with bowls symbolizing God’s wrath about to be poured down on the evil who are cast into a river of fire for eternity. Christ will then come to earth on clouds, his light destroying the wicked who are left. The Devil will be imprisoned for one thousand years, as the extent of Christ’s reign on earth. After it is up, God’s city will then descend to heaven.

Jonah and the Whale: As told in the Old Testament and mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament. God told Jonah to prophesy the city of Nineveh, however Jonah did not want to so he went sailing to try and avoid God’s command. At sea, an unordinary storm comes about and, knowing it is because of him, Jonah tells the sailors that throwing him overboard will make it stop. The sailors do this as a last resort. Jonah lands in the ocean but is saved by being swallowed by a large fish (whale). Jonah then goes to Nineveh and says the city will be destroyed in forty nights. However, the Ninevites make sacrificial gestures such as fasting so God spares the city for the time being. Seeing his journey as pointless, Jonah makes a hut which God grows a large plant over for shade. The plant dies in only one day, and Jonah wishes for God to take him rather than be fully exposed to the sun. God then tells him that he did not do anything for the plant so should not be upset by it, nor by the fact that thousands of people in Nineveh who don’t know right from wrong didn’t die.

Samson and Delilah: Samson was a gift to his fertile parents from God, and with his conception they were told that he must never cut his hair or drink alcohol. It would also be his destiny to relieve the Israelites from God’s punishment of giving them into the hands of the Philistines. He falls in love with and marries a Philistine girl, yet after the wedding Samson goes into a rage, killing Philistine people and burning their crops, so the citizens burn his wife. Samson runs away to Gaza, and falls in love with Delilah. However Delilah betrays him by asking him the secret to his super strength (his hair which cannot be cut) and telling it to his enemies so that they may defeat him in return for silver coins.

Moses and the Flight From Slavery in Egypt: Book of Exodus. Moses was born to Hebrew parents at a time when the Pharaoh of Egypt ordered for all newborn Hebrew children to be executed. To save him, his mother put him in a basket and sent him down a river. He was found and adopted by the Pharaoh’s wife and raised as royalty. Moses grew up naive to who he really was and what his father did, until one day when he had a revelation from God. Moses ended up killing an Egyptian slave master (as he could not stand to watch the Hebrew slaves be savagely whipped) and fled his home. Moses then became God’s messenger and the savior of the Hebrews. By Moses’s word, God released ten plagues on Egypt as the Pharaoh would not grant the Hebrews freedom. However, Moses gathered the Hebrews and escaped across the red sea which, by the grace of God, he was able to part for passage. God then gave Moses the Ten Commandments which he communicated to the people.