Through the Looking-Glass · Theme
Power and Authority
How Through the Looking-Glass develops Power and Authority.
The chess game structure and the arbitrary commands of the Red Queen and White Queen highlight the capricious nature of authority, with rules like 'jam tomorrow and jam yesterday—but never jam today'.
Where it surfaces
- The Chess Game
The chess game symbolizes the struggle for power, with Alice's progression from pawn to queen representing the acquisition of authority.
- Looking-Glass House
Alice physically handles the King and Queen, demonstrating her power over the chess royalty who cannot perceive her.
- II: The Garden of Live Flowers
The Red Queen asserts dominance through commands, etiquette lessons, and ownership of the land, illustrating arbitrary authority.
- Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty's claim to be the master of words reflects a struggle for authority over language and interpretation.
- The Lion and the Unicorn
The Lion and Unicorn fight for the crown, while the King nervously notes it is his crown all along, highlighting the absurdity of power struggles.
- Queen Alice
Alice's assumption of queenship is challenged by the Red Queen's insistence on examinations and proper behavior, highlighting the arbitrary nature of authority.
- Shaking
Alice physically shakes the Red Queen, reversing their earlier power dynamic.