Analysis of the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat

The White Rabbit

In chapter one the reader is told that Alice follows the White rabbit down the hole. I would like to slow down and analyze the white rabbit for a moment because I believe it is of importance. The rabbit is first introduced wearing waist coat and saying “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” The rabbit appears again in chapter two, four, eight, eleven and twelve. In my belief the rabbit shows signs of excitement, shyness and a little aggressive. I found it interesting that Carroll chose white as the color of the rabbit. White is the color of purity and honesty. The rabbit is the sole reason why Alice went down the rabbit hole in the first place therefore I believe Carroll is trying to portray Alice as innocent by making her chase the white rabbit. Throughout the book the rabbit shows signs of fear of the queen. He is extremely nervous about getting to his date with the queen on time, and for good reasons. The rabbit is a guide who navigates Alice through Wonderland. He brings her down the whole, to his house, to the court, and was also there at the end of her dream.

The Cheshire Cat

The Cheshire Cat was the Duchess’s pet. It appeared and disappeared as it wished. In the pictures of the cat the cat is always grinning. The cat does not have a negative attitude like the queen but instead proves itself very helpful to Alice. Despite the fact that the Cheshire Cat looks very creepy it is the only character in the entire novel that listens to Alice. In a way he tells Alice the regulations of wonderland. The cat’s tips keep Wonderland from being completely precarious. Though the cat only appears in chapters 6 and 8 it has proved itself as a very helpful character to Alice.

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