Enduring, Endearing Nonsense Of Fairy Tales

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publish the first book on the advice of
friends who had read and loved the little handwritten manuscript he had
given to Alice Liddell. He expanded the story considerably and engaged the
services of John Tenniel, one of the best known artists in England, to
provide illustrations. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel
Through The Looking Glass were enthusiastically received in their own time,
and have since become landmarks in childrens' literature.

What makes these nonsense tales so durable? Aside from the immediate
appeal of the characters, their colourful language, and the sometimes
hilarious verse ("Twas brillig, and the slithy toves/did gyre and gimble in
the wabe:") the narrative works on many levels. There is logical structure,
in the relationship of Alice's journey to a game of chess. There are
problems of relativity, as in her exchange with the Cheshire Cat:

"Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That
depends a good deal on where ...

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