# Time and Reversal in Through the Looking-Glass

> Theme guide for Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll.

Living backwards, as the White Queen describes, and the looking-glass world's inversion of normal rules emphasize the theme of time flowing in reverse and the relativity of experience.

## Where it surfaces

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/epigraph): The poem dwells on the passage of time, memory, and the bittersweet contrast between past summer glory and the present winter scene.
- [Wool and Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/v-wool-and-water): The White Queen lives backwards, remembering future events and discussing jam yesterday and tomorrow but never today.
- [Shaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/x-shaking): The Red Queen shrinks and softens, reversing her previous growth and authority.
- [A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/chapters/a-boat-beneath-a-sunny-sky): The poem dwells on the passage of time, fading memories, and the cyclical nature of dreams.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/themes/time_and_reversal
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/through_the_looking_glass_se/themes