The White Queen in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass

The White Queen

Character in: Looking-Glass World

The White Queen is an absent-minded, unkempt, anxious woman. In fact, every time Alice encounters the White Queen, Alice needs to take care of her – either helping her get to her crying child, fixing her shawl and hair, or patting her on the head and singing her a lullaby. In this way, the White Queen creates a role reversal with Alice, showing that adults can be more babyish than children. She also gives Alice a chance to feel superior, more organized and mature. What is growing up, if adulthood isn't any more grand than childhood and children can take care of their elders?