Power and Authority

The book examines the nature of power through the Queen's arbitrary rule, the King's weak authority, and Alice's growing defiance.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Queen's Despotism

Arbitrary Power The Queen's Executions The Queen's constant cry of "Off with his head!" is a symbol of absolute power without reason. She orders executions for the slightest offense, but as the Gryphon reveals, the executions are never carried out. The Queen's power is a performance, a threat that has no real teeth. The Queen's Control The Queen dominates the court and the croquet game, but her authority is based on fear, not respect. She is easily angered and easily defied. Alice's refusal to be intimidated shows that the Queen's power is only effective if people believe in it.

The King's Weakness

A Figurehead The King as Judge The King presides over the trial, but he is ineffective. He makes contradictory rulings, defers to the Queen, and cannot control the witnesses. His authority is undermined by his own incompetence. The King's Subservience The King's timid attempts to assert himself are overshadowed by the Queen's volatility. He is a figure of mock authority, a caricature of a ruler. The book suggests that power is often a matter of performance, and the King's failure to perform convincingly leaves him powerless.

Alice's Defiance

The Triumph of the Individual Alice's Challenge Alice's refusal to accept the court's authority is a direct challenge to the power structure. She questions the rules, argues with the King, and finally declares the whole court a pack of cards. Her defiance is based on the recognition that the power of the Queen and King is an illusion. The Collapse of the Dream When Alice calls out, the cards fly up, and she wakes up. The dream world's power structure collapses because Alice refuses to participate in it. The book suggests that authority is only as strong as the consent of the governed. Alice's awakening is a return to a world where power is more stable, but the dream has taught her to question it.

throughout the garden and trial scenes

during the trial

near the end of the trial