13 Reasons Why Alice in Wonderland is Simply the Best
While, for most people, Alice in Wonderland is the story of a little girl following a rabbit into a strange place, it’s a coming-of-age story for me. Or more accurately, it’s the coming-of-age story of me.
I loved it when I was little, imagining my own wonderland in my head as my mum read the story to me.
I loved it when I could only look at the pictures in the book.
I loved it when I watched the cartoon for the first time.
I loved it when I grew up, learned how to read, and read it by myself for the first time.
I loved it when I read it in the script format.
I loved it when I watched the Disney movies; Alice in Wonderland & Alice Through the Looking Glass.
I still love it when I recall how it makes me feel. And it’s because Lewis Caroll surprises me. Every. Single. Time.
There is only so much to discover with Alice. Not only do I discover something different or new every time, but I am also filled with this feeling of nostalgia that leaves some sort of an old candy taste in my mouth.
So, make yourself a hot cup of tea and enjoy the 13 reasons that will have a similar effect on you (hopefully):
1. Cheshire Cat
He introduced me to the concept of an existential crisis at a very young age by saying stuff like, “If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.” being the wise cat he is. I’m not saying this is a good thing, but I’m not going to say it’s a bad thing either. Also, you know how sometimes you feel like you relate to fictional characters? Well, Cheshire cat was my first! He was the very first character which I felt deeply connected with, for no specific reason. Hey you, love you for that!
2. Cheshire Cat’s teeth
Yes, I have a second bullet point for Cheshire Cat. Yes, it’s dedicated to his teeth. Yes, it is because it brings me joy as I try to perfect my Cheshire cat impersonation looking at myself in the mirror.
3. “Drink me!” & ”Eat me!”
As a child, all the sudden, unexpected growing and shrinking made me think, “What would I do if the same thing happened to me? Would I drink it? Would I eat it?”. It made me question myself and my decisions as Alice went through some scary stuff due to her choices. The potion may low-key be the reason I have trust issues. However, the cake was always there to remind me that no situation is irreversible and no matter how bad it seems, there’s always a way out.
4. Mad Hatter
I thought the Hatter was way cool; almost too cool. For some reason, I thought of him as a role model - one that I could never be like. And it turns out I was right, as most psychologists say that the Hatter has both Borderline Personality Disorder and Attention Deficit. And while I don't have those specific personality disorders, according to 16 personalities, all the Campaigners have that ’Little Spark of Madness’. (Yes, I’m a Campaigner.)
I used to scream in Kordon, Alsancak and that was the closest I came to falling down the rabbit hole as I closed my eyes. You feel good as you are screaming, but then it's all weird looks and, “Honey, come on.. let’s get away from this mad girl”. Just like the way it’s a poetic fall down the rabbit hole until Alice reaches the end.
5. The Metaphors
To be honest, I never thought of the whole eating, shrinking thing as a metaphor for Alice’s eating disorder as a kid. Probably because I didn’t know what a metaphor is……Anyways, now, I like how it is open to interpretation. It is what you say it is.
6. The Amelié Vibe
It’s no coincidence that Amélie Poulain assumes the role of Montmartre’s Queen of Hearts, on the day of Princess Diana’s death on August 1997. And the link between the two stories is not limited to that.
Amélie begins a secret mission to change lives for the better. Similarly, Alice believes she can make a difference in the world.
While Alice is pondering about, “Why sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” ; Amélie amuses herself by wondering, “How many couples are having orgasms right now?” and she correctly guesses, “Fifteen!”. I’m not saying this is evidence of how they are so much alike, but rather that they know how to keep themselves entertained.
Both characters are curious outcasts. They have dreams. They think out of the box. They believe in miracles. They try to find meaning and their purpose in life. They question who they are and who they will eventually become. They both live in their own world. Finally, they both face reality at some point, disappointed…
In both cases curiosity leads to trouble...or an adventure, depending on how you look at it.
7. Queen of Hearts
I kind of have a love & hate relationship with her. Love the look, hate the obnoxious remarks and the inflated sense of her own importance. Also, she killed me once. See point 8.
8. Knave of Hearts
This one’s personal: I played the Knave of Hearts in the high school play. It wasn’t your average “tree” role, but it was pretty close… I made a short appearance on stage until the Queen ordered: “Off with his head”!
9. Avril Lavigne
I got out of my “Girlfriend” phase(finally) thanks so this movie soundtrack!
10. The Unbirthday!
I came to the realization that I celebrate “unbirthdays” as I was writing this post. I’ve never been a fan of celebrating birthdays since I always felt the obligation to be happy, and that made me nervous, so I had to act the part, and it never felt natural. So, we have a tradition with my friends where we just yell “Happy Birthday Sıla” whenever we want, wherever we want. Sometimes I have more than 3 unbirthdays a year. Not bad for someone who claims they don’t enjoy birthdays, eh?
And if you have no idea what an unbirthday is…
11. Life Lesson
Sometimes you just gotta fall down a rabbit hole… I’m not gonna be cheesy about it and say something like if it is meant to be, it will be… But, if you’ve already fallen down the rabbit hole, there’s no meaning of wondering how things could have been different if you haven’t. You just gotta stand up real quick and work with what you’ve got. It’s your only reality.
12. Because it's immortal.
To this day the story continues to entertain people. There are already zillions of versions and adaptations out there and it still SELLS!
13. It’s ridiculous sometimes.
And I like ridiculous.
