Power Struggle between the Adult and Child in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Most of the children's books up to that time were very heavy on morals and proper behavior. The ending was almost always some kind of moral message. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland went against that grain.

One thing to focus on is the relationships between adults and children. Almost everyone she encounters in Wonderland is an adult but their behavior is quite different from the adults she has dealt with before.

The adult figures (human and animal) try to dominate Alice. (No room! Off with her head! Take the baby and go. That kind of thing.)

Western culture depicted children as the weaker and the 'other.'

Alice in really curious and seems to be very open to learning things. The adults in Wonderland work against that idea, though. They try to 'silence her into obedience.'

The Duchess treats her child in an abusive manner.

The Queen of Hearts is a very threatening adult figure.

One of the main points of the thesis I believe is when the author mentions Alice's ability to adapt. It seems that the worse things go for her the more she's able to adapt and deal with them leading all the way up to the trial scene when she calls them just a pack of cards.

Size changes are related to eating and drinking.

Alice is unhappy with her body size at times. The thesis says that this shows she wants to be free from adult control.

She demonstrates her ability to think on her own (and to question others.)

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Main Alice in Wonderland index page