Alice's Connection to the Duchess

Alice's encounters with the Duchess, from the violent kitchen to the moralizing walk in the garden, reveal a complex relationship marked by the Duchess's absurd pronouncements.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Kitchen Chaos

A Violent Introduction The Duchess's Rudeness Alice's first meeting with the Duchess is in the pepper-filled kitchen, where the Duchess is nursing a baby and sneezing. The Duchess's response to Alice's question about the cat's grin is a brusque, "It's a Cheshire Cat, and that's why. Pig!" She is aggressive and dismissive. The Duchess's Neglect The Duchess ignores the Cook's assault and the baby's howls, showing a lack of maternal care. When she flings the baby at Alice, it is an act of abandonment. Alice feels a sense of responsibility for the baby, despite the Duchess's callousness. This initial encounter is marked by tension and a lack of genuine connection.

The Duchess's Release

A Changed Attitude The Duchess's Friendliness When the Duchess is brought from prison, she is in a pleasant temper and takes Alice's arm affectionately. She finds a moral in everything, from the game to the weather. Alice is surprised by this change but is also wary of the Duchess's sharp chin and zealous moralizing. The Duchess's Wisdom Despite her absurdity, the Duchess offers some memorable lines: "Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it" and "Take care of the sense, and the sounds will take care of themselves." Alice is both entertained and frustrated by the Duchess's constant lecturing. The emotional bond is one of mutual tolerance rather than deep affection, but it shows Alice's ability to adapt to different personalities.

The Duchess's Flight

A Sudden End The Queen's Intervention When the Queen appears and threatens the Duchess, the Duchess immediately disappears, taking her choice to avoid beheading. Alice is left alone with the Queen. The Duchess's abrupt departure is a reminder of the precariousness of life in Wonderland. Alice's Reflection Alice does not have time to dwell on the Duchess's departure, as the game continues. However, the Duchess's brief return and subsequent flight reinforce the theme of arbitrary authority. The emotional connection between Alice and the Duchess is fleeting, but it contributes to Alice's understanding of the world's absurdity.

at the Duchess's kitchen

during the croquet game

during the croquet game, after the Queen's appearance