down the rabbit hole

The Bible. The Koran. Shakespeare. Alice in Wonderland. This is, in order, the most widely read/translated and quoted books of all time. Much touted as a children’s classic-written in Victorian England in 1850s-it broke the shackles of the stiff English society and offered children a whole new world –a WONDERLAND. There was no moral in the story-and it allowed the mind to wander. The famous tea party scene-with the Mad Hatter-all a reflection of the absurd rules of the “high tea” parties.

But, I haven’t read this book-and I think safe to assume a lot of us haven’t.

So I saw the movie on last Sunday-with children in tow-as it was 3D-animation etc etc.

Turns out-the kids hated it, but I loved it. The movie is about life and finding ones self-It has thought provoking dialogues and clever characterizations-the wise caterpillar-who is much maligned and believed to be on drugs-and the red queen with a personality disorder.

To think that this book was written so long ago-along with Shakespeare –also written around then-I have come to realize that they are classics as they hold the answers to the eternal truths-they open our mind to new ways of thinking and offer infinite wisdom on dealing with difficult situations.

It depends upon us, as reader to be able to grasp the full meaning and intent of the author.

But with the absence of a good teacher to show us the path-we need to rely on the internet to solve some of the riddles-

From the book:

Caterpillar: Who are YOU?
Alice: This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. I -- 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.

"'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!'"

"'I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir,' said Alice, 'because I'm not myself you see.'"

'And how many hours a day did you do lessons?' said Alice, in a hurry to change the subject.
'Ten hours the first day,' said the Mock Turtle: 'nine the next, and so on.'
'What a curious plan!' exclaimed Alice.
'That's the reason they're called lessons,' the Gryphon remarked: 'because they lessen from day to day.'

So on my way back from the movie-I was trying to explain why it is a good movie. In the middle of our debate-I gave them a googly-that truth and reality are different-they were flummoxed-and so I was I!!!!! In my attempt to explain further I got lost in a maze –so decided to leave it at that –and say that you will understand you are older!

Truth is absolute and reality is a perception.

What is really amazing- for me- is Alice exploring a whole new world on her own-gathering strength from within and moving ahead –to be able to venture into the unknown-to be able to leave the comforts of her own secure world-and thus embarking on a soul searching journey-only to emerge richer-and a more complete person.

Very rarely do movies evoke suck a response in me-and Johnny Depp being the crazy hatter certainly helped.

So I am on my way to find a complete unabridged Alice in Wonderland.

for more on alice:

http://www.shmoop.com/alice-in-wonderland-looking-glass/symbolism-imagery.html