White Rabbit, character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865), a children's classic by Lewis Carroll. The White Rabbit pulls out a pocket watch, exclaims that he is late, and pops down a rabbit hole. It is a world of madness and unhappiness. The Hatter is mentioned in chapter 7 and 11 from the book "Alice's Adventures in . There's also Bugs Bunny, a nonchalant Looney Tunes character who often plays tricks on Wile E. Coyote, and outsmarts characters who challenge him, like Elmer Fudd, Gossamer, Daffy Duck and others. Alice in Wonderland is a classic story of a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a strange, fantastical world. Hopping into Symbolism: Decoding the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatters and Cheshire Cats: Decoding the Characters in Alice in Wonderland, The Curious World of Wonderland: Exploring the Flora and Fauna in Alice in Wonderland. Some people don't always realize how deep things they are looking at are. Did you make this up? Consider connected symbolism to Alice/Wonderland. It's imply an imagined world with a fun and adventurous story line, creatively composed in some a mind-state not commonly experienced. This group is represented by the Red Queen who is ridiculed in the movie - she is big-headed, likes her pies, her pig and her fat boys. The white rabbit is also often associated with new beginnings, as it symbolizes hope and possibility. Rabbits are symbols of good luck, fertility, new beginnings, sensitivity, gentleness, and even the Moon! Alice - The story of Alice in Wonderland has Alice taking a magical adventure down the rabbit hole where she meets a white rabbit. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Rabbits were also associated with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, who deemed newborn hares not to be killed and left under her protection instead. Alice follows the White Rabbit down the hole and comes upon a great hallway . (including. book is so rad. The Chinese also viewed the rabbit as an incarnation of the Moon goddess. 1. The Mouse. When she first falls down the rabbit hole and is confronted by the door, she gives herself some good advice, saying, For if one drinks much from a bottle marked poison, it is almost certain to disagree with one sooner or later. The door responds, I beg your pardon, with a confused look on its face. The fact that it was based off of a real child really supports this essay, since he was watching her develop into an adult. As Alice progresses through her dream, she loses her sense of identity, just as most people do when they hit adolescence. I wouldn't argue with that, I mean seriously this movie is trippy! It is simply a children's story from a time when people actually had imagination. Like Aunt Imogene there is no Prince to break the spell. He has powers of shape-shifting and his tricks help to spawn creation. It has always been one of my favorite stories since I was little, for sure. In "Alice in Wonderland," white rabbits, specifically, serve as symbols of rebirth and the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. He explained that even though algebra had been reduced to a seemingly absurd but logical set of operations, eventually some sort of meaning would be restored. I must say that anyone who thinks that this story is merely a drug trip has little to no ability to think cognitively, creatively, deeply, or multifariously. She eats the cookie after being told the tale of the Curious Oysters, because a child will sometimes disobey and do something even after being told it is wrong. We see this in many European cultures as a white rabbit can be seen as a kind of blessing. The events and plot are not the same as the novel. I am sure his voice should quaver, and his knees quiver, and his whole air suggest a total inability to say Bo to a goose!. Tarrant Hightopp, also known as the Mad Hatter, is a fictional character in the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland and its 2016 sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass, based upon the same character from Lewis Carrolls Alice novels. Genius, that we can contemplate "deeper meaning" perhaps it is our ability to "deeper meaning" our worlds that the dim light of the Cheshire Cat whispers into the mind of example. We are the white rabbit, leading you into the wonderland of magic and disbelief. This Spirit Animal usually arrives right at the start of a spiritual journey, which is typically a return to self, to your truer essence. In this post, we will explore the symbolism of the White Rabbit and uncover the deeper meanings behind this curious character. The rabbit totem animal serves as a symbol of cleverness, sensitivity, and shamanic power as rabbits have strong perceptive and intuitive powers. The world is a mysterious place, and the rabbit asks you to laugh and bounce at the mystery as you traverse through it. Later in life, I was grateful to care for many more white rabbits as pets, and joined animal care clubs that catered to caring for small animals. but also parodies the first purely symbolic system of algebra, proposed in the mid-19th century by Augustus De Morgan, a London math professor. The fact that an intelligent adult wrote this story might be a clue to the origin of so many intellectual and varied interpretations of it. Unfortunately, seeing a gray rabbit means there are people in your life that you shouldn't trust. A rabbit is a good omen because it means you'll experience a spiritual awakening or revelation soon, and should follow your intuition. Alice's adventures in Wonderland symbolism The White Rabbit. In Native American folklore, Manabozho is a god known for being a trickster and the Great Hare. I'm afraid I can't explain myself, sir. Mad hatters disease is a form of mercury poisoning that affects the brain and nervous system. of people who don't recognize her once and for all. Silly, silly, silly. No matter how you interpret it, it is right in ts own way. It symbolizes mercy, elegance, and beauty. It's hard to believe the "drug" theory in that Carroll lived in an era alien to drugs. This shows how she is mentally progressing towards the formal operations stage, little by little. The rabbit hole is endless until she realizes that she is the ruler and takes her power back, and then goes back into the real world and rules herself. A society may perceive youngsters who give in to peer pressurefor example, children who take drugs or experiment in other reckless waysas monstrous. If you see a bunny in the wild or have one cross your path, you will experience good luck in romance, family life, and your finances. Therefore, your paragraph about Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee is misplaced, as it insinuates that they appear in the first book, and not the second. It's Alice's unethical decision to follow the white rabbit that leads to all her crazy adventures. Alice in Wonderland fans have marked 150 years since the fateful boat trip that sparked the tale. Rabbits are also familiar creatures as they are closely linked to the change of the seasons, such as springtime, representing a symbol of fruitfulness and renewal. Maybe even written on it. I don't truly know what this movie is about but I know that was a lot of confusion on it so I just thought i should put that out there. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a famous novel written by Lewis Carroll its dope. Regardless of WHO was reading it, it was an excellent way to open up the depth of one of my favorite childhood stories! (Challenges to intelligence) The Queen of Hearts. (Time) The Caucus Animals. The multimillion-copy bestselling author of Wicked offers a magical new twist on Lewis Carroll's classic children's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland When Alice toppled down the rabbit-hole 150 years ago, she found a Wonderland as rife with inconsistent rules and abrasive egos as the world she left behind. For the record, the movie is about Monarch Programming. But a dead rabbit dream may also mean that you are on your way to achieving your goals, as long as you don't give up. These intuitive animals can pick up on a variety of sounds in their environment, allowing them to keep an open ear for predators. The White Rabbit's anxiety-ridden behavior reflects Carroll's commentary on the fast-paced, time-centric nature of the modern world and the pressure to conform to rigid schedules and deadlines. Here is another lack of understanding between adults and children, but this time, the adult's statement seems easier to comprehend for Alice, and makes, surprisingly, more sense than her previous realization. See additional information. To return to your true essence, what is one thing that would bring you health and vitality? The white rabbit is a classic symbol of purity and the white rabbit is often used to represent the embodiment of child-like qualities, such as curiosity and wonder. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." It is a great shame that Tim Burton has had to shroud this call-to-arms in such a way that people don't understand it - at a time when the Europeans so desperately need to understand that they are heading into a full-on political nightmare. His humour is so great. &=White Rabbit=Children You'll soon understand the meaning behind Alice "&" Wonderland. for a children's story? - I am unable to find this quote in their book "Classics of Children's Literature". The frantic, harried Wonderland creature that originally leads Alice to Wonderland. He is a very distinguished rabbit, with a large house and a gardener and always wearing gloves, a waistcoat and a pocket watch, but he is always in a hurry. This is wrong, as Alice does not meet Tweedle Dum and Tweedle until the second book, and so hears the story of the curious oysters some time after eating the cake, about 6 months later, as she is 7 in the first book, and 7 and a half in the sequel. In Disney's 1951 film, Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit has its own unique features and characteristics. This is seen in parental figures, politics, media, economical trends, etc among the masses kind of like children. RELATED: Bird Meanings & Symbolism Explained. Much like the Western world celebrates Easter in the springtime, Egyptians associated rabbits with this time of year. Want the true facts? Surprisingly, even though it's not symbolic, Christians do follow the tradition of Easter and the Easter bunny, which originated in Germany. But just to correct you blogger guy Alice's sister is reading her a story in the beginning, not her mother, and Disney took this story and warped it like he/they have done with every fairy tale since, So don't even use the Disney version as any type of comparison because that's not Alice in Wonderland. 4 Things The White Rabbit Symbolizes. When she grows and gets stuck in the house, the Rabbit orders Pat to get her out. By eating the cookie, she demonstrates Kohlbergs first theory of moral development, stage one of the preconventional level, which states that "right is whatever avoids punishment or gains reward" (Wood). In Norse mythology, rabbits are also associated with the Moon. The whole theme of "alice"(a young girl) is symbolizing a young lady going down the road of drugs. Seeing a white rabbit in your meditations? When you see a white rabbit, they can symbolize purification fears regarding survival, and their appearance can encourage a more playful and curious view of the world. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. I believe he used the Disney movie to interpret and not the book Ihave read most of the comments here on "Alice" and am truly amazed at the different ways that people are interpreting what is supposed to be nothing more than a children's story. To dream of a rabbit biting you indicates sexuality, and being nurturing towards living things. I think Alice and Wonderland was a Political Satire about the government as freedom of speech was not allowed back in those days so one could not voice their opinions and frustrations about the government. Alice walks beside the, pot and has the whole court sneezing. The legend goes that if you say "white rabbit" or "rabbit, rabbit" on the first day of the month every month, you're guaranteed good luck. From the very beginning of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, food and . In Tim Burtons 2010 movie, he has been named Nivens McTwisp. Great movie. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. They are symbolic little creatures full of cleverness, devotion to self-improvement, and good luck. His hurried nature and fear of being late mirror the anxieties and pressures that many people experience in their daily lives. Rabbits were associated with fairies, so they could communicate underground and humans could shapeshift into rabbits; taboos about killing them were often told. Take Peter Rabbit, for example, who hops around Mr. McGregor's garden, causing mischief. I have heard a few different theories about this book. But my theory, is that Alice's bump on her head when she stumbled and fell, is a major part of the whole experience of forgetting, and mixing words, and having extraordinary encounters while trying to get her muchness back. Instead, he used symbolism, mathematical and physiological referencing, and many other writing techniques to create a world not known to any, but lived by all. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). To me, that is the quintessential definition of any good creative genius, his or her work presents in various interpretations to different people just as when someone takes a prism and shines it to the light. Such loose mathematical reasoning would have riled a punctilious logician like Dodgson. He also wrote the book in the 1865 and LSD wasn't even synthesized until the 1930's so he obviously had no idea what an acid trip even felt like. Black rabbits symbolize the peacefulness of being still and silent, much like how the color black is symbolic of silence and stillness. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a perfect example of childhood through adolescence. Also about the drug comments, I'm pretty sure that's just the movie. Children are usually the people with the most curiosity; they are the ones who are always eager to learn more. This isn't necessarily bad though. She is loving . Megan Hatch is a writer at YourTango who covers zodiac, love and relationships, and pop culture. What does the Cheshire Cat symbolize? If you dream of a rabbit that talks, it means you are facing a difficult circumstance in your life, whether it's currently or in the future. The White Rabbit is the first Wonderland character Alice encounters. the cat says "u must b mad for coming here" meaning: wonderland is when your trippin and you'd have to be mad(crazy) to go there(do drugs LSD/Acid/etc. Chairs are moving, animals are talking, cards are dancing around and bein creepersthe rabbits got really red eyes(just look at the picture on the emoticon bar on the left lol) and theres a a ton more evidence bt my hands are tired. April 18, 2023 12:31 am The White Rabbit is a key character in Lewis Carroll's beloved tale, Alice in Wonderland. But before they became revered as part of the family, rabbit symbolism had a long history. They also remind you that renewal is possible, and you can gain the capacity to try new things. Alice is engaged in a romance quest for her own identity and growth, for some understanding of logic, rules, the games people play, authority, time, and death, (Frey). To have a little more fun, if you see a white rabbit, ask, what can I do to have a bit more fun and energy today? The Vikings, in addition, associated hares with Freya, the goddess of fertility, and Holda, the goddess of domesticity who was often depicted as riding in a chariot pulled by rabbits. RELATED: More Baby Names That Mean Rabbit. Rabbit Symbolism & The Spiritual Meaning Of Seeing Rabbits, change of the seasons, such as springtime, Spiritual Animal List & The Symbolic Meaning Of Power Animals, color black is symbolic of silence and stillness, about to embrace new beginnings and opportunities, their significance to some pagan religions, Crow Symbolism: The Spiritual Meaning Of Seeing Crows, Year Of The Rabbit: Chinese Zodiac Traits And Dates, What is Bunny Ebola? While Alice is in wonderland, she learns a lot about herself and the world around her. Just like rabbit symbolism is related to good luck, fertility, rebirth and gentleness, many representations of rabbits in literature are similar to these themes. She becomes frustrated and sad, homesick for her family and her pet, but when a tiny door read analysis of The Garden Eating and Drinking, Growing and Shrinking One thing I learned from caring for white rabbits is that they are also vocal and speak up for themselves when necessary. Here is a curiouser analysis, for the Wonderland fans. It's a reminder that you shouldn't give too much of yourself away and might want to keep that information private. Rabbits can be seen in many different cultures and religious practices, as they offer important lessons about being aware and protecting ourselves, and are symbols of fertility, family, and new life. Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass, based upon stories he told Alice Liddell and her sisters while he was working at Cambridge University and the girls were living there. This is awesome. For her youth, audacity, vigour, and swift directness of purpose, read elderly, timid, feeble, and nervously shilly-shallying, and you will get something of what I meant him to be. Others view the mushroom as a psychedelic hallucinogen that compounds Alice's surreal and distorted perception of Wonderland. It's not based off acid. I believe that the story is about the journey of the soul and it's fall into exile, into the forgetting of it's true identity, and it's yearning to get back to the "GArden" of Unity and oneness again. In English, chasing a white rabbit means to chase the impossible, a fantasy, a dream. In 1967, the rock band Jefferson Airplane wrote a song called "White Rabbit." The song tells of. Take action on the first thing that comes to mind, to follow the white rabbit's path. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Struggling with distance learning? De Morgan had proposed a more modern approach to algebra, which held that any procedure was valid as long as it followed an internal logic. Check out the eCourse, Release Your Fears, or start with the meditations written about in The Golden Energy: What It Is, How To Work With It, And What It Can Do For You. That particular book is infamous for allegedly featuring innumerable references to getting or being high. You can't choose your spirit animal, as they select you, but you'll know if a rabbit is your spirit animal if you resonate with this creature somehow, or have had a profound experience. Many Christians feel that rabbits should not be connected with Christianity because of their significance to some pagan religions, as rabbits are spiritual messengers in the pagan world, traveling through the human realm and underworld. Same is the case with great stories/poems like this(Alice in wonderland). down the rabbit hole on September 21, 2013: All of you please do a Shamanic Journey then report back.. Alice and wonderland started off as a story for the mentally challenged, but soon came to be a childrens story. He is mentioned in chapters 1, 2, 4, 8, 11, and 12 from Alices Adventures in Wonderland. In the story, the Man on the Moon comes to Earth and is very hungry, so the rabbit offers himself to be eaten. For this reason, they are great spirit companions to have if you are manifesting your dream life for this reason. Thank you so much for posting this. I really liked this essay. there was a link on facebook and you had to become a fan than you had to send it to friends then take a stupid quiz just to waste 5-10 mins of my time. Thus the stoned animals represented the incompentent party going leaders, etc. It's one of the best-known children's stories of all time, and it has inspired countless adaptations, including Disney's 1951 animated film. I say this hearing all the groans from people who are reading this remark. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. Here Alice meets a variety of familiar nursey rhyme characters: Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty, the Lion and the Unicorn. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Neo is told to follow. Alice in Wonderland (2010 film) study guide contains a biography of Tim Burton, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Symbols Next The Garden The Garden Alice finds herself in a giant hall at the end of the rabbit hole, surrounded by locked doors. The lyrics to Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit did a fair bit to cement the association: "Remember what the Dormouse said / Feed your head, feed your head". The writer of this blog or whatever it is, is correct its about learning lessons about life and a little girl is the example of those lessons learned. I usually like to see the white rabbit for people who feel their whole life is changing or needs to. Image of white and cream spotted rabbit in the snow with sticks coming out of snow in the background by Rex Landingham from Pixabay. A rabbit spirit animal reminds you that there's hope and new opportunities in your future. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. On the flip side, rabbits also symbolize the impossible feat of achieving those dreams. Your email address will not be published. I feel it is rAw creativity manifested in a children's story. RELATED: The Spirit Animal That Best Represents Your Zodiac Sign. and yes this is written by a twelve year old girl:) your welcome. In real life, in the industrialized world, a child has to figure things out on her own. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The word algebra, De Morgan said in one of his footnotes, comes from an Arabic phrase he transliterated as al jebr e al mokabala, meaning restoration and reduction. What does the Mad Hatter represent in Wonderland? The White Rabbitwho reappears several times in the storywears a waistcoat, carries a pocket watch, and is always in a great hurry, anticipating the fury of the Duchess at his tardiness. Alice gets in trouble because of her curiosity. In conclusion, the rabbit hole symbolizes a gate into a new world, adventures, and unknown territories. Seeing a white rabbit typically symbolizes a period of overcoming fears so one must grow. RELATED: Spiritual Animal List & The Symbolic Meaning Of Power Animals. Hope you have more coming out soon! (Symbol) When Alice follows the white rabbit away from the garden party and ends up falling down his rabbit hole, this is a symbol for her leaving the rational . It's about a spiritual journey thru the underworld of the unconscious to confront the dark powers that be and emerge a liberated and empowered person who knows who she is. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures, rabbits are also associated with the Moon. Rabbits, in general, symbolize the release of fear, a willingness to trust your intuition. But, as Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was a very good mathematician a lot of the story is based on logic and maths. Why Rabbits In The U.S. Are Getting Sick At Alarming Rates, Wow: Watch This Mama Bunny DESTROY This Snake To Protect Her Babies, The Spirit Animal That Best Represents Your Zodiac Sign, The 3 Things People Immediately Judge You On When You First Meet Them, 5 Immediate Signs Of A Toxic, Passive-Aggressive Person, 7 Unsexy Habits That Demolish Your Likeability, 10 Little Habits That Make You IRRESISTIBLY Attractive. He would travel as a hare in the company of an ape and a fox. Maybe we are all in journey to learn of self. He represents the master. The way the content is organized. . this actually is only article that helped me in understanding the adult perspective of the novel.. Complete your free account to request a guide. (Life Lessons) Just like everyone does at some point, she gives in to peer pressure. Childhood and children's literature, The novel 1832-1880. Copyright 2013 - 2023 Amanda Linette Meder. You're all stupid stop insulting a classic and just read it, its for children. When Alice first gets to wonderland she is small then big then small and etc..symbolizing a drug trip(u feel small and big and fuzzy and blah blah blah etc.) I'm not a goody goody who wants to damper your drug fun ideas when it comes to this story but that's not what it is so stop insulting it. And any theory of what wonderland is about could be true the movie alice in wonderland was change to a lil kids movie to a non lil kids movie it was stewwpid and madhatter creeps the hell out of me. The artist plays this up a bit for fun by calling it "mad" or "bonkers" because once people are able to see outside of this sociological conformity we are able to consider beyond what people tell us is strictly the right or wrong way to believe and/or think. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. AWSOME but trippy. I know this after watching an interview, if you will with Lewis Carroll. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. What is this? It originates from Medieval times when people believed in witches. This somewhat exemplifies the preoperational stage of childhood which includes symbolic function, meaning that one thing can stand for another (Wood). Baby rabbits are adorable, but dreaming of one means you may be acting childlike in certain circumstances. I think it is okay to have different perspectives on events of stories, but Let's not get carried away with things, all right y'all? Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. In German culture, the rabbit is sacred to Ostara (or Eostre), the fertility goddess. This allows creativity, self-definition, innovation, etc. And you will be rewarded for your help. If you see a brown rabbit in dreams or your waking life, it's a sign of good luck and fortune, specifically in terms of money. She thinks this is the root of her problem: Being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing. No, it isnt, replies the Caterpillar, who comes from the mad world of symbolic algebra. In addition, rabbits can see in almost every direction at once, and for those reasons, a rabbit in the spiritual world is a symbol of sensitivity.