Genre

Traditionally, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel are both considered stories intended for children. If you were asked to support the contention that these are actually stories for adults, how would you defend this?

I think they are stories for both. They are good for children as it requires a good imagination. They are probably good for adults for the same reason...you have to use your imagination!
-Bookworm

Again, I agree with Bookworm. I enjoyed the book. I think Abi would enjoy it. I am thinking about reading it aloud to her now. I mean, she wouldn't get it all but I think she would think it was funny. I think older children would as well.
-Annegirl

I have tried to read it with the mindset of a child. Coming from a child's perspective, the imagination runs wild. I remember as a child my imagination would sometimes get the best of me. We outgrow that as an adult. A couple of weeks ago I watched the old movie "Mrs. Miniver" with Greer Garson and I think it was interesting in the fact that of all the thousands and thousands of books in the world "Alice In Wonderland" was the book she was reading to her children in the bomb shelter as England was getting bombed. And they talked of "lost childhood". Thousands of children lost their childhood way to early. I think Alice in Wonderland helps to bring back the wonder of childhood and all our imaginations. In a slight way it made me think of the Dr. Suess book "And To Think That It Happened on Mulberry Street". That boy comes up with all sorts of things to tell his dad on the way home from school. I thought "Alice" was an interesting, creative, and fun book to read.
-Deenie Bug

That is really interesting. I may have to watch Mrs. Miniver again.
-Annegirl

I agree, too. I think as adults our viewpoint of the book would be different than a child's.
-Stampin_Maniac

I think as adults we can pick up on things not meant for the children to understand. I think this is why he was so popular with both children and adults.

I also think your mindset going into the book can determine your experience. If you are thinking "children’s book" you can have a childlike experience. Whereas if you are looking for a more complex and interesting experience, you can find that as well.

-Wendy

Well said Wendy. Isn't that true of life as well? I think we always experience what we set out to experience. I mean, obviously there are exceptions... things aren't always perfect and fun no matter how great our attitude.... but I think that we do determine a lot of what we get out of something- be it a book or an experience- from our mindset.
-Annegirl