Alice's Adventures in Wonderland:
The white rabbit was a very important part of
the novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. The rabbit in
the story wears a waistcoat and can speak, giving him a very personified
personality. I believe the rabbit was chosen because Alice was lost in the
story and rabbits have been portrayed throughout history as very nonthreatening
animals. I also believe that the rabbit was chosen over other animals because
of their jumpy nature. An interview with the author revealed the purpose that
the white rabbit served in the story: "And the White Rabbit, what of him? Was he framed on the "Alice" lines, or meant as a contrast? As a
contrast, distinctly. For her
'youth,' 'audacity,' 'vigour,' and 'swift directness of purpose,' read
'elderly,' 'timid,' 'feeble,' and 'nervously shilly-shallying,' and you will
get something of what I meant him to be. I think the White Rabbit should wear
spectacles. I'm sure his voice should quaver, and his knees quiver, and his
whole air suggest a total inability to say 'Boo' to a goose!" (Gardner, Martin (1998). The AnnotatedAlice)
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