Notes for Alice in Wonderland (Theme: Identity)

- Alice can't answer the Caterpillar's question "Who are you"
   - The reason Alice gives is that she's been "changed several times"
       - grew smaller then larger in the hall of doors
       - grew smaller and fell in a pool of her own tears
       - grows large3r, then smaller in the Rabbit's house
- Her constant change in size leads her to question her identity
  - When she grows large in the hall of doors:
       - she wonders if she has been turned into Mabel
           - checks herself by reciting her Math and Geography lessons
           - tries to recite the busy bee poem but fails, saying the crocodile poem instead
  - When she is small, talking to the Caterpillar:
       - recites "You are Old, Father William" completely incorrectly
            - (a poem about how to live a good life)
       - "It's wrong from beginning to end"
- Alice changes in size again
  - takes from both sides of the mushroom (one to make her larger, one to make her small)
  - she shrinks then grows enormous
  - Alice is mistakes for a serpent by a pigeon
       - the pigeon  doubts she 's a little girl
       - Alice replies that her identity as a little girls "matters a great deal to me"  
- Alice goes back to her normal size at the end of chapter 5
  - half a paragraph later, she's shrinking down to 9 in. high


Write a TEAC paragraph in response to the questions:

1. What is the main reason why Alice questions her identity?
2. How does Alice check to see if she is still herself? Why do you think she has chosen this method?

Writing Strong Paragraphs

We discussed writing strong paragraphs on Thursday. We will continually go over these skills in our class. Each time you are given a writing assignment, practice strong paragraph writing. This will make essays much easier to write, and will strengthen your skills as a critical reader and thinker.

Every strong paragraph contains four essential elements:

Topic Sentence

This sentence tells your reader what your paragraph will be all about. It usually puts forth an argument, which you will support in the rest of your paragraph. If you are responding directly to a question, the topic sentence will address the question, and answer it.

Example

An example is lifted directly from the text you are reading. An example refers specifically to a detail in the text, and may even be a direct quote. The example you choose should support the argument or statement you made in your topic sentence. Remember that paragraphs are one unit of information, and all your sentences need to stick to the same topic!

Analysis

In your analysis, you are explaining to your reader why your example supports your topic sentence. Make sure you refer back to whatever your main idea is, and show the connection to your reader. Why is it that your example supports the point you're making? Show the connection!

Conclusion

Your conclusion ties up any loose ends, and gives a little summary of your points and why you believe them. Again, since a paragraph is one unit of information, your conclusion may also show how all the ideas you discussed fit together. Your conclusion will also refer back to your topic sentence, showing that you have made your point.

Here is the example we discussed in class:

The author is discussing the contradictory attitude the people of Victorian England had about childhood. Although children were a "source of hope, of virtue, or emotion," they also believed that children were "potentially wicked," needing "constant guidance and discipline." This shows that Victorian adults probably had high hopes for their children, but also had deep questions about their children's ability to be "good." In short, Victorians felt torn about the nature of childhood, and felt ambivalent towards their children because of it.

Notice how the topic is repeated throughout the paragraph. The contradiction (that children could be good and bad at the same time) is repeated throughout the paragraph, driving home the argument that Victorians felt torn about their children.