# How does Through the Looking-Glass develop the theme of Identity and Self?

> Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

## Answer

Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll develops Identity and Self across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Alice constantly questions her own reality and identity, as when Tweedledee and Tweedledum suggest she is merely a figment of the Red King's dream, and Humpty Dumpty mocks her name as 'stupid' and meaningless.

Alice's loss of her name in the wood and the Fawn's sudden recognition of its own identity highlight the theme of self-knowledge and the role of names in defining who we are.

Alice's struggle to assert her own reality against the twins' claims highlights themes of self-perception and identity.

Alice is called 'the Monster' and questions her own identity when the Unicorn and Lion ask what she is.

## Evidence

- [iii-looking-glass-insects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/iii-looking-glass-insects.md): Alice's loss of her name in the wood and the Fawn's sudden recognition of its own identity highlight the theme of self-knowledge and the role of names in defining who we are.
- [iv-tweedledum-and-tweedledee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/iv-tweedledum-and-tweedledee.md): Alice's struggle to assert her own reality against the twins' claims highlights themes of self-perception and identity.
- [vii-the-lion-and-the-unicorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/vii-the-lion-and-the-unicorn.md): Alice is called 'the Monster' and questions her own identity when the Unicorn and Lion ask what she is.
- [viii-it-s-my-own-invention](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/viii-it-s-my-own-invention.md): Alice's desire to become a Queen and her concern about belonging to another person's dream reflect her struggle with identity.
- [xi-waking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/xi-waking.md): Alice's identity is intertwined with her dream, and she ponders who dreamed whom.
- [xii-which-dreamed-it](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/xii-which-dreamed-it.md): Alice's playful identification of her kittens as characters from her dream explores the fluidity of identity and the self.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/questions/how-identity-and-self
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se
- All questions: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/questions