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Executions are taking place in England
Executions are taking place all throughout England, as they have been for some time now. However, these executions are a bit extreme and kill people who haven't actually commited a serious crime. Lewis Carroll seemed to mock these chaotic executions by making the queen in his story obsessed with saying, "off with their heads!" Most of the time, the crimes that had upset the queen were pointless and ridiculous. For example, the queen got angry when Alice didn't properly paint the roses red. -
As a part of the Factory Act, children had to receive at least two hours of education daily
This new Factory Act enforced in England, made children have to learn for at least two hours a day. Throughout his story, Carroll incorportates multiple lessons and teachings that Alice recites to herself. Her reciting of lessons reflects the lives of children that are forced to memorize pointless quotes and rhymes. Alice continuously thinks about her lessons, as they randomely float around her brain and fog her memory. -
Victoria becomes Queen of England
England has always been ruled by kings and queens. In this year, Queen Victoria stepped to the throne and began her extraordingary ruling. Carroll most likely got inspiration for the queens in his story from the queens that ruled England. -
Lewis Carroll was a mathematician at Christ Church
All throughout the book, Alice eats and drinks substances that will either grow or shrink her. She must balance out the right proportion of how much to eat to achieve her desired size. Sometimes, certain foods only affect certain parts of her body, thererfore, putting Alice in a considerably difficult math problem. Most people believe that all of the absurd math proportions and ratios that Alice face, symbolize Carroll's point of view on algebra. ( Afterall, Carroll was a mathematician.) -
Founding of the National Portrait Gallery
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderlant, Carroll creates abstract characters that could only exist in one's imagination. Art is always a good reference for creativity and uniqueness. Therefore, I believe that the galleries around Carroll could have influenced his character choice. -
First women admitted to Royal Academy schools.
Alice is an independent girl who runs free with her imagination. Much like the women who were allowed to attend Royal Academy schools, Alice no longer had any restrictions, and new opportunities awaited her around every corner. These women got a taste of freedom just like Alice did, as she embarked on a journey that let her mind wander freely. -
Cocaine, Iaudanum, and Arsenic are common drugs purchased without perscription
The fact that such dangerous drugs can be easily purchased without a perscription in England during this time is alarming. When Carroll writes about all of the things Alice eats and drinks and how they affect her body, it almost appears as though she is actually consuming drugs. In fact, most people today think that Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is really just a tale about a girl who got high and dillusional. However, one thing is for sure, the substances Alice consume are based off drugs. -
First underground railway, Metropolitan Railway in London between Paddington & Farringdon St.
When underground railways were constructed under ground, it was like a whole new world opend up. Just like in Carroll's story, a whole new world is created through tunnels and passageways underground. When Alice falls down the tunnel, she is transported to a magical fantasy land. Both undergroud railways and what Alice experienced are nothing like the outside world above ground. -
Broadmoor criminal lunatic asylum opened
The opening of lunatic asylums meant that there were definitely crazy and mentally disturbed individuals in England. After reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, it almost seemed like Carroll himself had a serious mental disorder. However, Carroll only had a speech stuttering problem, and probably thought that writing a story with an absurd and crazy plot would attract attention from the reader. Since crazy people were found around England, Carroll was inspired to write about them. -
National Association for Women’s Suffrage formed in Manchester; no voting rights until 1918.
Women in England have become tired of not being heard and not having a voice in society. In some ways, Alice feels insignificant as well, when she is bossed around and is always alone in a world that is ignorant of her. Thankfully, women stood up for themselves and formed a suffrage association during this time. Alice herself, even learned how to become more independent and make a difference in the world around her.