21 things from this book went into her brain. Here are the first 6.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Carroll shows Alice finding that after enough strange events, very few things seem truly impossible. A mind that has seen the rules broken can become more open to new answers.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Carroll has Alice read the label before she drinks, because she remembers the simple rules she was taught. Checking the label first is a good habit whenever something tempting is offered.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Carroll shows Alice giving herself very good advice, though she seldom follows it. Many of us know exactly what we should do and still do something else.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Carroll has Alice test herself by reciting lessons to check whether she is still the same person. Honestly checking what we still know is one way to notice how much we have changed.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice keeps stopping to apologise whenever she hurts the Mouse's feelings, even while she is struggling herself. Noticing how others feel and making amends quickly is a kind habit.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Dodo's Caucus-race has no clear start or finish, yet everyone is declared a winner. Carroll pokes fun at prizes handed out for effort that nobody could actually measure.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice drinks from a bottle reasoning that something interesting is sure to happen. Carroll shows how curiosity can overrule caution, and how wishing afterwards does not undo the choice.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice works out a plan by ruling out what cannot help, then sets her goals in order. Breaking a problem into steps is useful even before you know how to take the first one.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice swallows her irritation to hear out the Caterpillar, and it turns out to have something worth saying. Staying patient long enough to listen can be rewarded.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice keeps to the truth even when the Pigeon has already decided what she is. Carroll suggests that honesty matters most when others are sure they know better.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice refuses to leave a helpless baby behind in the Duchess's kitchen, reasoning that it would be wrong to abandon it. Taking responsibility for someone who cannot protect themselves is a choice Carroll wants us to notice.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat points out that the right road depends on where you want to get to. Without a destination any path will do, which is a fair test for any plan.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat builds an argument that sounds neat, but it rests on a claim nobody has checked. Carroll reminds readers to test each step of an argument, not just how it sounds.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Hatter shows that words which look alike can mean different things. Saying exactly what you mean, and checking that others hear the same meaning, matters more than it seems.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice finds her nerve against the Queen once she sees that the court is only a pack of cards. Carroll shows that much of what looks frightening loses its power when you look at it plainly.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice hides the frightened gardeners in a flower-pot and refuses to let the soldiers take them. Carroll shows courage most clearly in standing up for people who cannot protect themselves.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Duchess finds a moral in everything she says, and most of her morals are nonsense. Carroll teases people who love a neat saying, and reminds readers not to take every pat lesson as wisdom.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the snail in the Mock Turtle's song quietly refuses to join a dance it sees as going too far, even though it is politely invited. Carroll lets a calm no stand on its own merits, without needing a reason the crowd will accept.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the King runs the trial by striking out whatever he dislikes and threatening execution. Carroll satirises a court where the judge has settled the outcome before the evidence is heard, a reminder to question whoever is making the rules.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice challenges a rule the King has just invented and points out that it is not a real rule at all. Carroll shows that it takes some courage to ask where a rule came from before you obey it.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Carroll closes with Alice's sister imagining Alice grown up and still keeping the loving, curious heart of her childhood. He suggests that the best parts of being young can be carried into adult life.
