Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Plot Structure and Setting

Plot Structure

Narrative Pace Narrative pace refers to how fast or slow a story moves. How would you describe the pace of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Look at the third paragraph of the story, found on page 3. What is the pace of the paragraph? How does Carroll achieve that pace? Skim through the short story. Find an example where the pace of the story either speeds up or slows down. p. 38—”The chief difficulty. . .” p. 60—last paragraph

Narrative Pace Why does Carroll set the pace of the story in this way? What effect does it have on the reader? What effect does it have on the characters? Look at the table of contents. What do you notice about the chapter titles? Why would this be important? The pace adds to the fantasy-like feel of the story. This pace makes readers feel as if they are moving quickly through the adventures with the characters and helps with the fantasy-like feel of the story. The characters are affected because they really have no control over the events in the story—thy are along for the ride. The fact that each chapter has a title makes it seem as if each chapter is a short story—the next adventure for Alice.

Singing and Rhyme Look at page 12-13, 20-21, 26-27. Why does Carroll use verse and songs in the story? Define his purpose. How does this influence pace? p. 12-13—title of chapter is a “A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale”—the words resemble a tail of an animal—specifically the mouse P. 20-21: Illustrates the difference between youth and experience, but with rhymes—more child-like P. 26-27: situational irony

Setting What is the setting of Alice in Wonderland? Why does Carroll do this? What do you think Alice is saying about nature? How does the pace of the novel influence the setting of the novel?