S24 Performance of Children's Literature

CASD 1717 – Spring 2024

Alice All Over

On the last page, you saw some of the various film and dance versions of Alice, and you’ve previously seen some illustrations from other artists.

Alice Inspired Music

Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 “White Rabbit” is one of the most famous (and reused) songs inspired by Alice. You’ll see here that the song/video reflects the 1960s interpretations of Alice as about drugs.

Avril Lavigne – “Alice” 2010 Music Video

Opera

Just get a taste – you do NOT need to watch the entirety.

Theatre

You already saw a clip of Alice being musicalized on the last page, but it has been done so repeatedly with several On and Off-Broadway productions. 

This production is available to watch via the Brooklyn College Library.

Immersive Theatrical Experience – Then She Fell

Ice Skating

Alice in Theme Parks

Dark Alices

Alice has taken a dark turn in video games, as in American McGee’s two titles, which make Wonderland a “Psychological Abyss.”

Cosplay of American McGee’s Alice.

A dark haired woman leans on the ground with one hand and leg in a black and white tights, boots a blue puffed dress sleeve dress with a bloody white apron over it and a pocket with a black symbol.
Concours cosplay du 6 novembre 2022. Kyonie présente Alice (Alice: Madness Returns). Photo: Stéphane Gallay, sous licence Creative Commons (CC-BY)
Dark haired older Alice stands holding a chalice wearing a tattered blue dress, white apron, black and white tights and black fingerless gloves outside of a blurred grey brick building with lanterns
miz-inthesky “Dark Alice” 2010, via deviantart, CC-BY-ND 3.0
Alice in a blue dress and black and white tights with long black hair creeps through an open door, a strange dark rabbit eared creature rises above her a blurred image of a man in a tophat and a clock
TheArtistDarkLady, “Dark Alice”, via deviantart, CC-BY-ND 3.0

Alice in Merchandise and Advertising

Unseen person holding a pair of slip on Disney Alice in Wonderland Van shoes
Alice in Wonderland/Van Shoe collaboration, via Unsplash
photo of two neclkaces on top of a page from Alice in Wonderland. One has alice and blue beads on a ke. The other a black figure with red hearts
Ayumi Design, Alice in Wonderland Key Jewelry, via deviantart, CC-BY-ND 3.0
bib neclace of multicolored mushrooms
Stéphanie Kilgast, Alice in Wonderland Mushroom Necklace, via flickr, CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0

More Alice in Wonderland Jewelry on Etsy

Magazine advertisement with text Welcome to the Wonderland of good drinking! Illlustrations based on Tenniel's below, a large image of an Alice in Wonderland mug pouring tomato soup to another mug and a can below
Advertisement for Libby’s Tomato Juice in the Ladies Home Journal, January 1948, Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

Alice and Tea

Alice in Wonderland-themed events are very common.

Explore a collection of Teapots

Shelves filled with Disney Alice themed tea merchandise including mugs, teapots, and tea
Disney Alice Tea merchandise, Loren Javier, 2019, via flickr, CC-BY-ND 3.0

Modern Alice Retellings

Read (Optional)

A Blade So Black – L.L. McKinney

Alice in Wonderland meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Book Excerpt

 (click on the link at the bottom of the book cover to read the excerpt)

Like the many fairy tales we’ve looked at, Alice has also served as a literary inspiration for many, many variations. Why do you think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice, or a desire to revisit the Alice story? Do you think Alice is a fairy tale?

Go Back to Blue Caterpillars
Go on to vocal exercises for Week #7

Comments

20 responses to “Alice All Over”

  1. Badra Ahmad Avatar
    Badra Ahmad

    Alice has sparked countless creative variations because her story resonates with themes of curiosity, adventure, and self-discovery, appealing to people of all ages. Artists and crafters are inspired by the imaginative world of Wonderland, which offers endless possibilities for reinterpretation and exploration. I do think that Alice’s adventures can be considered a type of modern fairy tale, as they embody themes of curiosity, transformation, and exploration into the unknown. While it may not fit the traditional fairy tale structure, Alice’s story captures the essence of wonder and imagination that is characteristic of the genre.

    Reply
  2. Juliana Moreno Duran Avatar
    Juliana Moreno Duran

    “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” has inspired countless artists and writers because her story is full of imagination, where anything can happen. This makes it a fun playground for creative minds to explore new ideas or add their own twists. Alice’s adventures feel a bit like a fairy tale because of the magical setting and strange characters she meets, even though it doesn’t follow the traditional fairy tale structure of quests and lessons. The story’s blend of whimsy, humor, and a little bit of mystery makes it a timeless source of inspiration, allowing everyone to see something different in Alice’s journey through Wonderland.

    Reply
  3. Ashley Arely Vila Avatar
    Ashley Arely Vila

    Like the many fairy tales we’ve looked at, Alice has also served as a literary inspiration for many, many variations. Why do you think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice, or a desire to revisit the Alice story? Do you think Alice is a fairy tale?

    Artists and crafters have been inspired by Alice because of how wild and creative the story is. Within “Alice in Wonderland”, there are endless possibilities and any character can be created.I do think Alice is a fairy take because it does have a moral and is very imaginative.

    Reply
  4. Aya Ibrahim Avatar
    Aya Ibrahim

    I think that people have been so inspired by Alice and her story for quite some time now because it is fantasy and its always nice to escape from the ordinary confines and rigidity of daily life, but also because she isn’t chasing after a man like so many other fairytales that feature a prominent female character ( she was chasing the rabbit out of curiosity, not because she wanted a husband! ) Alice is pretty much true to herself, brave, unapologetic, and crafty. She goes through so many things over the course of the story and encounters so much that is unfamiliar but she still manages to make light of her situations and have fun. She’s adored simply for being her, and there’s something really refreshing about being honored to stay true to yourself. It gives a lot of people, especially young children, confidence and hope and encourages them to think outside of the box and to be creative, which I think is a big reason why so many people continue to revisit the story and create other adaptions based on the tale. I do think Alice in Wonderland is a fairytale because of the alternate reality aspect, the elements of the story that aren’t possible in reality like the drink me potion that somehow manages to taste like Thanksgiving dinner and shrink her simultaneously in seconds, and how the characters who are animals are able to talk/how they are characterized. It is a great fairytale at that and clear to see why it is a classic and well-loved

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  5. Basamat Hamdan Avatar
    Basamat Hamdan

    Like the many fairy tales we’ve looked at, Alice has also served as a literary inspiration for many, many variations. Why do you think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice, or a desire to revisit the Alice story? Do you think Alice is a fairy tale?

    I think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice because it delves into the wonders of our imagination. Talking animals, an underground world, and potions that make her change size and shape, are all figments of the world we can only think of and never truly experience. In the end, Alice wakes up and realizes it’s all just a dream, further proving that none of this is real but truly just a “wonderland.” Storytellers are inspired by this because Carroll proved that we can write to our imagination’s limit. Nothing really has to make sense, and that’s okay. Stories can be crazy and full of adventures we’ll never experience.

    I also think Alice in Wonderland stayed around for so long because of its relatability. The characters, not just Alice, have personality that makes it interesting to read or watch. I also think it depicts problems in our world that continue to exist across the years, such as drugs and sexuality. Perhaps it has lessons for us on how our society acts.

    I do think Alice is a fairy tale because it delves into an imaginary world. While most fairytales do not take place in an alternative world, they still have talking animals and the likes. Alice in Wonderland happens to be underground, but it still has mystical elements that give off a fairytale vibe. Based on the CrashCourse video we watched a few modules back, a fairytale has a lasting impact, which Alice definitely does, as it has been retold countless times.

    Reply
  6. Milen Bekis Avatar
    Milen Bekis

    I do not think Alice is a fairy tale at all. Disney made it into a beautiful motion picture. But, there is no lesson to it. She was medicated on heavy drugs which is why she saw everything she saw. People revisit the story because they can relate to it. She is a messy girl and people can also relate to doing drugs and being messy.

    Reply
  7. Martina Arriola Avatar
    Martina Arriola

    Like the many fairy tales we’ve looked at, Alice has also served as a literary inspiration for many, many variations. Why do you think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice or a desire to revisit the Alice story? Do you think Alice is a fairy tale?
    Alice’s story is a classic tale that never gets old. People of all ages, including me, love it! It has everything – adventure, self-discovery, and more. Wonderland, where Alice’s adventures take place, is so magical that it inspires artists and writers!
    The story is not your typical fairytale, but it still manages to capture everything that makes them great. Alice’s journey is filled with exploration, transformation, and discovery – all the good stuff! The characters are so quirky and whimsical that they have become famous all around the world.
    Alice’s adventures are funny, mysterious, and filled with fantasy, so it is no surprise that people can’t get enough of them. The setting is so wacky, and Alice’s journey is so unpredictable that everyone can interpret it in their own way! The story encourages people to be curious and to embrace the unknown with open hearts and minds.
    Alice’s story is a masterpiece that has become part of our culture. It’s a modern fairytale that will always inspire and delight readers, regardless of age.

    Reply
  8. Renee Montperous Avatar
    Renee Montperous

    I think what attracted everyone to Alice was the bazaar majacial weird world she stumbled upon once she fell through the rabbit hole. The movie wasn’t predictable you didn’t know what she was going to run into next so I believe that’s what drew everyone in. No,I wouldn’t say its a faiytale but it is a fantasy world.

    Reply
  9. Hanan Almoflihi Avatar
    Hanan Almoflihi

    I think the reason why Alice is so widely represented is because of its uniqueness to other stories and fairy tales. The characters and plot are so abstract and distinguished that it is easy to use the characters because people will immediately know who it is if they are familiar with this story. The dream like nature of the story and the wide imagination makes it easy for people to add another aspect of the story and have it still fit into the original.

    Reply
  10. Obeed Ahmed Avatar
    Obeed Ahmed

    Artists and craftspeople have been enthralled by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland due of its innovative and whimsical universe, filled with fanciful creatures and bizarre scenery. People of all ages may relate to the story’s themes of adventure, self-discovery, and curiosity, which encourage original thinking and inventive interpretations. Furthermore, Alice is a timeless protagonist who possesses relatable qualities due to her bravery and curiosity. The narrative is a timeless source of inspiration for artists and craftspeople because it can take readers to a realm of wonder and possibilities.

    Reply
  11. Cheyenne La Fritz Avatar
    Cheyenne La Fritz

    The fantastical nature of Alice in Wonderland can be the cause of literary inspiration for many variations. It uses imagination and in this world, anything seems to be possible without any question of its existence. Alice is curious and goes through this world as an outsider as we are in the story. She meets characters that are easy to recognize in the sense of replication in other versions. Alice herself has a simple design that can be recognizable through variation. There is a mysterious nature to the world and the beings that live in it. Many plots can be built upon the idea of Wonderland and what-if scenarios that could happen. Alice is not considered a fairy tale though its inspiration might come from such stories, as mentioned in the text itself that Alice felt as though she was in a fairy tale. However, it does share the characteristics of a fairy tale. Alice is set in a fantasy world with talking animals. There is royalty in this story who also seem to be the antagonists. There seem to be elements of magic through the consumables that Alice may eat or drink to change sizes. The only reason it may not be a fairy tale is because it was all a dream.

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  12. Hasiena Madramootoo Avatar
    Hasiena Madramootoo

    Like the many fairy tales we’ve looked at, Alice has also served as a literary inspiration for many, many variations. Why do you think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice, or a desire to revisit the Alice story? Do you think Alice is a fairy tale?

    I think Alice in wonderland is a great story over all and with all of the amazing characters that are within the story is what inspires others to revisits the story. It is not only one main characters but others that many may be more interesting in. I do think that Alice could be a fairy tale, because of this mysterious world that she was in, as a child I also thought of Alice in wonderland as a fairy tale.

    Reply
  13. Quesia Cruz Avatar
    Quesia Cruz

    I think Alice can be a fairy tale because there are things that make it to me like talking animals that is something in real life can’t be possible, and I that so many artists are inspired by Alice because this story is way different than others and do not have the same plot as many stories do, this story makes your imagination work to the fullest.

    Reply
  14. vanessa alamo Avatar
    vanessa alamo

    I believe Alice in wonderland is a one-of-a-kind story there’s really no story out there like this one, it captures audiences of all ages. The adventure, the unknowing, the creativity it truly is a wonderland. It shows all the emotions a child or anyone faces being angry, sad, scared, etc.

    Reply
  15. Natasha Marques Avatar
    Natasha Marques

    I believe so many people are inspired by Alice in Wonderland because the story can spark creativity, provoke thought, and offer a whimsical escape into a world of fantasy and wonder. Its universal themes, imaginative storytelling, and iconic characters continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world. Alice’s story has so much exploration, curiosity, and self-discovery in it that people can relate to. Many people are drawn to the idea of embarking on a journey of personal growth and self-exploration, similar to Alice’s experiences in the story.

    I don’t think Alice is a fairytale, I feel Alice’s story is a fantasy story filled with dreams and curiosity.

    Reply
  16. Dionisia Payamps Avatar
    Dionisia Payamps

    Like the many fairy tales we’ve looked at, Alice has also served as a literary inspiration for many, many variations. Why do you think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice, or a desire to revisit the Alice story? Do you think Alice is a fairy tale?

    Unlike some traditional fairy tales that have specific moral lessons or fixed storylines, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is more open to interpretation. Its unserious nature allows artists and crafters to reinterpret the story, characters, and themes in countless ways, leading to a diverse range of creative expressions. Reading my classmate’s different responses, I can already see that we all have different views and ideas of the story, people can always take this to their advantage and open up more doors of interpretations

    Reply
  17. hannah xhani Avatar
    hannah xhani

    Artists are drawn to Alice’s story due to its rich imagination. Lewis Carroll’s narrative surpasses conventional boundaries, demonstrating a blend of fantasy, adventure. Alice’s journey through Wonderland provides ground for creative exploration. The story’s iconic characters, vivid imagery, and thought-provoking themes resonate deeply with me as well.
    While Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland doesn’t seem to follow the fairy, tale themes like magical kingdoms or enchanted beings, it shares fantastical settings, moral lessons, curiosity.

    Reply
  18. Ekaterini Fasarakis Avatar
    Ekaterini Fasarakis

    Like the many fairy tales we’ve looked at, Alice has also served as a literary inspiration for many, many variations. Why do you think artists and crafters have been so inspired by Alice, or a desire to revisit the Alice story? Do you think Alice is a fairy tale?

    I think many have been inspired by Alice for her drive to knowledge. She wants the answers to everything while traveling through Wonderland as well as her overall adventures. Artists may also relate to her through song as she finds herself lost at one point and is very confused about why certain things are happening. In terms of merchandise, people enjoy the bright and vivid colors from the descriptive language Carolls has provided in the original many people see wonderland as this magical and fun place. I don’t think Alice in Wonderland is a fairytale as it entails much more that the characteristics that characterize a classic fairytale.

    Reply
  19. Jennifer F. Angel Avatar
    Jennifer F. Angel

    Artists keep coming back to Alice because that story is so fun, it has very little boundaries and can de depicted in many mediums. It is a story that everyone can engage in and take inspiration from. As shown above there have been all kinds of art from paintings to music to clothing to house wear. There are so many parts of the story that inspire people to create. It has so little boundaries that it allows everyone to find something in the story and create their own interpretation in their desired medium. I don’t think Alice is a fairytale its too long and the story has a lot of sub stories.

    Reply
  20. Katherine Abalonski Avatar
    Katherine Abalonski

    I think Alice is a literary inspiration for many variations because of how timeless is it and how its imaginative versatility can be used to create many different interpretations. The story’s themes of imagination and lessons of growing up can be understood by many different ages making it timeless. Since it has a very magical and imaginative setting it allows for many different adaptations and possibilities relating to art. I do believe Alice to be a fairy tale because of its magical nature and lessons within it that relates to other fairy tales.

    Reply

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