Alice in Wonderland: Beyond the Absence of Moral

The pervasive presence of morals in Victorian children’s literature was a stark contrast to Lewis Carroll's innovative approach, which laid the groundwork for a new literary genre. As one delves into the history of children's books, it becomes apparent that the preoccupation with imparting moral lessons was a prevailing trend. However, the novel Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll offers a unique perspective that defies this convention, pushing the boundaries of literary entertainment.

The Victorian Era and Moral Lessons in Literature

During the Victorian era, moral instruction was intertwined with entertainment in literature. Philosophers like John Locke advised that children's books should blend amusement with didacticism. This resulted in works that rarely strayed from the realms of simplistic moralization.

For example, The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley introduces a character named Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby, emphasizing the importance of being instructed as you would like to be instructed. Similarly, Thomas Hughes' Tom Brown's Schooldays includes a character, Squire Brown, who envisions his son growing up to be a brave, helpful, truth-telling Englishman and a gentleman and a Christian.

In Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, Uncle Pumblechook's incessant chatter about moral lessons at a dinner party highlights the obsession with morals in children's entertainment. This obsession arguably reached its zenith when a stage performer from Punch and Judy theaters boasted about the morals conveyed in the shows.

Enter Lewis Carroll: The Abolition of Moral in Children's Literature

Alexander MacLeish's Alice in Wonderland marked a significant departure. When Carroll created Alice, he had no intention of imparting morals. He simply aimed to entertain three children, an act of creativity not driven by didacticism but rather, by the sheer joy of storytelling. His novel revolutionized children's literature, challenging the conventional norms.

Carlo's unique approach resonated widely, inspiring other authors to emulate his style. However, not all were persuaded. In Amelia and the Dwarfs, Juliana Ewing echoed the sentiment that stories without morals were pointless, though she followed Carroll's whimsical style in her own work. This reflects a lingering skepticism toward the absence of moral lessons in children's books.

Carroll's Later Works: Adding Moral Back into Children's Literature

Later, Carroll included morals in his works, such as Sylvie and Bruno, but these books failed to capture the public's imagination and did not achieve the same success as Alice in Wonderland. This suggests that the innovative approach of Alice in Wonderland resonated more profoundly with readers who craved a different kind of storytelling.

Reflecting on the Absence of Moral

The absence of moral in Alice in Wonderland allows the reader to experience a world of imagination and wonder without the constraints of didactic lessons. This has led to a myriad of interpretations, with scholars exploring deeper meanings beyond the surface level of the narrative. The novel serves as a testament to the power of storytelling, unencumbered by the need to teach explicitly.

For a deeper analysis of Alice in Wonderland, readers may find the collection Aspects of Alice, edited by Robert Phillips, to be an invaluable resource. This book delves into the various layers and interpretations of Carroll's masterpiece, providing insights into its lasting impact on literature and popular culture.

In conclusion, Alice in Wonderland continues to captivate readers with its absence of moral, offering a timeless example of the power of imagination and the joy of storytelling. This novel, despite its lack of explicit morals, has left an indelible mark on children's literature and has inspired generations of authors to think beyond the conventional boundaries of didactic storytelling.