Nature, Darwin, and Alice and Oxford

In class on March 20^th, I recall us randomly logging onto http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/oxfordtour/universitymuseum/. We rapidly searched the Oxford University Museum of Natural History for Darwin and Alice, and then we moved on to another activity. At first, I was unsure of what the purpose of that assignment was. However, after reading the works by Lewis Carrroll, I now understand the connection between nature and Alice.

1: Display of Alice and Dodo in Oxford Museum

I found it peculiar that Oxford’s Museum of Natural History has these displays relating to literature. Like Garrison described, Oxford had specific reasons for incorporating literature into its natural history exhibits. There is display devoted to Alice, and right next to that display, there is a display about the dodo, an extinct bird. Also, a statue of Charles Darwin can be found on of the walls. Undoubtedly, Darwin, nature, and Alice have a common denominator.

2: Statue of Darwin in Oxford Museum

Nature plays a significant role in Alice in Wonderland. Though humans have the ability to rationalize and the gift of intellect, we can never separate ourselves from nature. No matter how hard we try, nature is always around us. Like a book without pictures of conversations, humans are nothing without their environment. Alice chimes, “what is the use of a book without pictures or conversations?” (Carroll 11). Despite how hard we try to control nature, nature, in reality, controls us. Nature can have a calming effect on humans. It provides an outlet or a release for the pressures humans create for themselves. Nature serves as the “last frontier” for man. As I type this discussion board at home, I look out my bedroom window and see the tree in my backyard. Its branches are long and sinewy. The occasional breeze attempts to shake its leaves out but the tree is strong. This image helps me relax and keeps me at peace. All the stresses from being a college student are removed with images of nature.

In Alice, we can see the effect of nature. Alice discovers that the small door leads to a beautiful garden. “How she longed to get out of that dark hall, and wander about among those beds of bright flowers and those cool fountains” (Carroll 16). Her desire to be in nature and among the natural flowers and flowing water is the event that sparks the rest of the story. Additionally, the presence of many animals is quite peculiar as well. Alice decides to follow the rabbit into the hole because the rabbit was wearing a “waistcoat-pocket” and using a “watch” (Carroll 12). This image of a rabbit using human items signifies mans influence (or destruction) of nature.

Additionally, by allowing the animals to talk, Carroll gives animals a voice, allow humans to understand the thoughts of animals. The presence of the different animals, a mouse, a lorry, a duck, and an eaglet, show an interaction between humans and animals. Likewise, in the Oxford Museum, the display of Alice and the various animals next to the display of the dodo signify mans destruction. The Dodo bird is extinct because man over hunted it and cause the species to disappear from the planet. The idea Oxford is conveying is that humans must attempt to coexist peacefully with the animals or else we will end up killing ourselves to extinction. The statue of Darwin serves as a reminder that we must be always remember that life is precious and that if we do not take care of what we have, then some species will die off and others will come to replace it.

Alice, Oxford, Darwin, and nature all have the common factor of life. In order to preserve nature and enjoy life, we need each element.