"Alice! a childish story take, And with a gentle hand Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined In Memory's mystic band, Like pilgrim's wither'd wreath of flowers Pluck'd in a far-off land. -Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland Quotes
There are some children’s books that just get better with age. Alice in Wonderland is one of those books—for me anyway.
For all of its silly quirks and imaginative nonsense—rabbits late for important dates, lizards with ladders, random drugs that make you huge or tiny— it’s actually crammed with some beautiful philosophy.
Alice in Wonderland Quotes
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Alice in Wonderland Quotes
When I was around eight years old, I read the book, proudly told my darling Granny that I had, and during a day spent together we walked to a local movie rental store in what I would later find out was a pretty dangerous part of town at the time and found Alice in Wonderland.
Unfortunately, it was not the Disney version I was expecting, so there was some disappointment there when we walked back to the house and started watching it. But like Alice, we adapted to our circumstances and pressed on.
That day with my spontaneous grandmother was a gift. She purposefully did something kind, just for me, that directly involved my current eight year old interests.
I have nothing but fond memories of watching that off-brand Alice in Wonderland movie, and I never think of Lewis Carroll’s book without thinking of her. She herself was full of silly quirks and imaginative nonsense. Virginia Guercia Cook could make any day seem like real magic was possible. I’ll never quite get over missing her.
But like good books, we carry those we love with us through our lives.
Yes, we grow up, and we, unfortunately, learn that there aren’t too many pipe-smoking caterpillars or Mad Hatter Tea Parties to crash, or an enigmatic Cheshire cat to give your day a sense of flare, but those moments, in some fashion or other, are there if you choose them.
Reading Alice in Wonderland continually reminds me of who my Granny was, and a version of who I want to be. Much like Alice, she was fearless, hopeful, kind, questioning, and not too worried when she got a little lost.
We, like Alice, will always find our way.
Alice in Wonderland Quotes
Top 15 Alice In Wonderland Quotes (from the book with page numbers)
Alice in Wonderland Quotes
1. “She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very seldom followed it)” (Chapter 1: “Down the Rabbit Hole,” pg. 9)
2. “Curiouser and Curiouser!” (Chapter 2: “The Pool of Tears,” pg. 11)
3. “How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday things went on just as usual. I wonder if I’ve been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I’m not the same, the next question is, Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle!” (Chapter 2: “The Pool of Tears,” pg. 14)
4. “It’ll be no use their putting their heads down and saying ‘Come up again, dear!’ I shall only look up and say ‘Who am I then? Tell me that first, and then, if I like being that person, I’ll come up: if not, I’ll stay down here till I’m somebody else” (Chapter 2: “The Pool of Tears,” pg. 16)
5. “When I used to read fairy-tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one! There ought to be a book written about me, that there ought! And when I grow up, I’ll write one — but I’m grown up now,” she added in a sorrowful tone; ‘at least there’s no room to grow up any more here.” (Chapter 4: “The Rabbit Sends In A Little Bill,” pg. 34)
6. ‘Who are you?’ said the Caterpillar. This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, ‘I hardly know, sir, just at present — at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” (Chapter 5: “Advice from a Caterpillar,” pg. 45)
7. ‘I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, sir,’ said Alice, ‘because I’m not myself, you see.’ (Chapter 5: “Advice from a Caterpillar,” pg. 45)
8. ‘If everybody minded their own business,’ the Duchess said in a hoarse growl, ‘the world would go round a deal faster than it does.’ (Chapter 6: “Pig and Pepper,” pg. 62)
9. ‘If it had grown up,’ she said to herself, ‘ it would have made a dreadfully ugly child: but it makes rather a handsome pig, I think.’ And she began thinking over other children she knew, who might do very well as pigs” (Chapter 6: “Pig and Pepper,” pg. 66)
10. ‘Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’ ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,’ said the Cat. ‘ I don’t much care where –‘ said Alice. ‘Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,’ said the Cat. ‘–so long as I get somewhere,’ Alice added as an explanation. ‘Oh, you’re sure to do that,’ said the Cat, ‘if you only walk long enough.’ (Chapter 6: “Pig and Pepper,” pgs. 66 -67
11. ‘But I don’t want to go among mad people,’ Alice remarked. ‘Oh you can’t help that,’ said the Cat: ‘we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.’ ‘How do you know I’m mad?’ said Alice. ‘You must be,’ said the Cat, ‘or you wouldn’t have come here.’ (Chapter 6: Pig and Pepper,” pg. 67)
12. ‘Well! I’ve often seen a cat without a grin,’ thought Alice; ‘but a grin without a cat! It’s the most curious thing I ever saw in all my life!’ (Chapter 6: “Pig and Pepper,” pg. 69)
13. “Why is a raven like a writing-desk?” (Chapter 7: “A Mad Tea-Party” (pg. 72)
14. “Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.” (Chapter 9: “The Mock Turtle’s Story,” pg. 98)
15. ‘Begin at the beginning,’ the King said gravely, ‘and go on till you come to the end: then stop.’ (Chapter 12: “Alice’s Evidence,” pg. 134)
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Alice in Wonderland Quotes