The Era of Alice in Wonderland: A Timeless Tale

Alice in Wonderland is a tale that defies the constraints of linear time. The story, with its whimsical characters and never-ending adventures, could occur at any point in history. However, if we delve deeper into the characters and their origins, we can explore the specific time period in which this beloved story takes place.

Time Frame in the Modern Adaptation

One of the more recent adaptations of Alice in Wonderland, starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, is set in the early to mid-1800s, specifically around 1850 to 1880. This period aligns with the late Victorian era, a time marked by industrialization, scientific progress, and societal changes.

The Victorian Era in Literature

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a real person who published the novel under the pen name Lewis Carroll. The story itself is rooted in the era in which it was written. The tale was born during a boat trip on the River Thames with the Liddell sisters, on July 4, 1862, when Alice Pleasance Liddell was around 10 years old.

Setting the Stage in 1865

The final version of Alice's story, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was published in 1865. The year 1865 marks the period when the fictional Alice was seven years old. The story's setting is described as the mid-Victorian era, a time when Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire.

Alice's Origin Story

Alice, the protagonist of the story, is a character deeply rooted in the mid-19th century. She is a precocious young girl, and her adventure begins on a lazy afternoon when she takes a nap in the backyard of her family’s wealthy estate. Her curiosity, sparked by the sight of the White Rabbit rushing about, leads her to embark on her journey to Wonderland.

The Manuscript and Its Inspiration

The story was not conceived as a published work but as a manuscript told to Alice Liddell. Alice, the real-life inspiration for the character, was born in 1852. At the time, she was just a child with a vivid imagination, much like the Alice of the story. Alice Liddell herself asked Charles Dodgson to write down the tale, which eventually led to the creation of the famous manuscript, Alice's Adventures Under Ground.

Concluding Thoughts

Alice in Wonderland is a classic that transcends time, but its origins can be traced back to the mid-19th century. The story was written during the height of the Victorian era and first published in 1865. While the exact time frame is open to interpretation, the era in which the story was written provides a rich historical context that enhances the magical adventure of Alice in Wonderland.