Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Chapter 2: The Pool of Tears
Written by Rose

After Alice finished the cake she started to grow, in fact, she grew so tall her head hit the ceiling. She took the key from the table and made her way to unlock the door behind the curtain, alas, she was too big now and with no way to shrink again Alice began to cry.

As she considered her situation, the White Rabbit returned talking about keeping the Duchess waiting and dropped his white glove and fan at the sight of Alice. Hot, Alice began to fan herself as she considered how different she felt and who she could be. Suddenly, Alice realizes that she is wearing the White Rabbit’s glove and shrinking dramatically, taking it off just in time.

Read the rest of the summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Alice: “Curiouser and curiouser!”

White Rabbit: “Oh! The Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! Won’t she be savage if I’ve kept her waiting!”

Alice: “How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail, And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in,
With gently smiling jaws!”

Alice: “I wish I hadn’t cried so much!” said Alice, as she swam about, trying to find her way out. “I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears! That will be a queer thing, to be sure! However, everything is queer to-day.”

Mouse: “No like cats!” cried the Mouse in a shrill, passionate voice. “Would you like cats, if you were me?”

Questions for discussion:

Do you think the White Rabbit’s glove is a metaphor for something?

Why do you think Alice compares herself to other children when she’s having trouble with her size?

Did you find anything else in this chapter curious? If so, what?

Read and discuss more HERE.