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Lecture: “It’s Wrong from Beginning to End”

On Friday 18 November, in London (UK), Brian Sibley and David Weeks entertain us by speaking about Lewis Carroll’s literary parodies on (in his time) well-known moral and improving texts.

The speakers will present many examples of his parodies, to demonstrate the influence of Isaac Watts and other writers of moral and improving texts on the young Charles Dodgson. They will show how he lampooned them, first in his juvenile writings (such as ‘Useful and Instructive Poetry’), and later in the pages of ‘Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass’. Aas a result, his parodies have outlived their once distinguished, but now largely forgotten, originals.

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Revival of the Dutch Lewis Carroll Society

The Dutch Lewis Carroll society was established in 1976, but has been dormant for more than 30 years. However, two people have now taken the initiative to re-establish it!

The ‘Lewis Carroll Genootschap’, as it is called in Dutch, wants to facilitate contact between Dutch and Flemish people and organizations, who/that have an interest in the life and works of Lewis Carroll. It plans to spread publications and newsletters, exchange knowledge with other Lewis Carroll societies in the UK and US, organize exhibitions and lectures, and a festive or cultural annual meeting.

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Lecture: On Going Out Altogether – Carroll’s and Other Children

On 29 July, the Lewis Carroll Society organises a lecture in London (UK) called ‘On Going Out Altogether: Carroll’s and Other Children’.

Professor Jan B Gordon explores (“with a plea for audience participation”) why Alice’s fears of her total disappearance are totally justified, given “childhood” and its dangers in 19th century literature. And, along with the flickering in and out of Alice, will be considered such puzzles as a Cheshire Cat that appears and disappears and food both that is both simultaneously there and not there at a tea table.

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154th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland

Today it is exactly 154 years ago that Lewis Carroll made up the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ story!

The White Rabbit blowing his trumpetThe story arose at 4 July 1862, when Lewis Carroll (pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), was on a boat trip with a friend, Alice, and her sisters Lorina and Edith. Alice grew restless and begged Dodgson for a story “with lots of nonsense in it”. So started the famous tale, which was continued on further outings, and was later expanded for publication.

Exactly three years later, on 4 July 1865, the first edition of the book was printed.

Read more about the origins of the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ story

Alice’s Day in Oxford 2016

“Alice’s Day” is an annual event in Oxford, UK, to celebrate the publication of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. This year the event will be held on July 2.

On Alice’s Day, all kinds of Alice in Wonderland themed activities and events are being organized in the city. This includes tea-parties, games, storytelling, talks (from a.o. the Lewis Carroll Society), walks, live music and more. Most events are free of charge!

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