An Analysis of Madness: Mad Hatter and White Rabbit in 'Alice in Wonderland'
Madness Personified
To many, Alice in Wonderland can be seen as a book entirely based on the theme of madness. After all, when Alice, the protagonist of the story, falls down the rabbit hole, she is abruptly introduced to a world of peculiar characters, the most peculiar being those of the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit.
The Mad Hatter was an unpredictable character, with many believing him to be based on the Alice Liddell's older brother Harry. He has a distinct manner of speech, a quirky sense of humor, and is seen as a source of amusement and comedy in the novel. Some have argued that this would suggest that madness, in the form of the Hatter, is actually seen in a positive manner in the novel.
The White Rabbit, on the other hand, is portrayed as a contrast to the Mad Hatter. He is a serious character, relying upon time-keeping and organization. This would suggest that there is another form of madness, in the form of the White Rabbit, which is seen in a more negative manner. Whereas the Hatter's madness is seen as a form of amusement and entertainment, the Rabbit's madness is seen as an inconvenience, leading to much confusion and chaos.
It would therefore seem that Alice in Wonderland seeks to portray two forms of madness. The first, in the form of the Mad Hatter, is presented as being playful and lighthearted, whereas the second, in the form of the White Rabbit, is presented as a nuisance and an impediment. The real message of the novel seems to be that, while there are two forms of madness, only one is suitable for Alice's world.
Written by John Doe