Through the Looking-Glass · Theme
Language and Meaning
How Through the Looking-Glass develops Language and Meaning.
The book explores the arbitrary nature of language through Humpty Dumpty's assertion that words mean whatever he chooses them to mean, and through nonsense poems like 'Jabberwocky' that challenge conventional logic.
Where it surfaces
- Looking-Glass House
Alice reads 'Jabberwocky', a poem full of invented words, highlighting the playful and arbitrary nature of language.
- II: The Garden of Live Flowers
The Red Queen redefines words like 'garden' and 'hill,' and the flowers' conversation highlights the fluidity and power of language.
- Looking-Glass Insects
The Gnat's jokes about names and the chorus of voices valuing language at 'a thousand pounds a word' emphasize the arbitrary and powerful nature of language.
- Wool and Water
Wordplay on 'a-dressing,' 'feather,' and 'exactually' highlights the arbitrary nature of language.
- Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty's assertion that words mean what he chooses them to mean highlights the theme of linguistic arbitrariness and the power dynamics in defining meaning.
- Queen Alice
The Red Queen's wordplay on 'meaning' and the absurd arithmetic problems underscore the instability of language and logic.
- Which Dreamed It?
Alice's frustration with the kitten's inability to communicate through purrs and mews highlights the theme of language and its limitations.
- List of Illustrations
The inclusion of 'Jabberwocky' and Alice's confusion over its language highlights the theme of nonsensical language and the search for meaning.