Alice is very much a hero.

Alice possesses many of the basic characteristics generally associated with heroism—such as a genuine concern for others, willingness to act, and bravery. Most importantly, she is constantly trying to discover who she is in relation to the world around her.

Thrust into a fantastical world, Alice is faced with the unknown. She is no longer sure about the world around her and must adapt to what she before found to be impossible while at the same time beginning a journey of self-discovery. The new world around her makes her realize that she herself is not who she thought she was, much like the self doubt associated with moving to a new place or a new phase in life. In the same way that Alice questions who she is and her place in her environment around her once she was thrown into Wonderland, the transition from high-school to college causes a complete reevaluation of one’s self. Alice can be considered a hero since she faces head-on the troubles and trials of finding herself.

Shortly after arriving, Alice asks (in a sort of identity crisis), “But if I am not the same, the next question is ‘Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that’s the great puzzle!” (23) The world around her changed and even her size changed, leading her to question if she could even recognize herself as the person she was. This is the true form of a hero, always questioning one’s identity and striving to find out who one truly is.

Alice never hesitates to take on adventure. This is the sign of a hero; heroes are always prepared to take action and never shy away from the unknown. Throughout the adventures, Alice continually goes forward with no fear of what is to come or even death. “In another moment, Alice went down [the rabbit hole], never once considering how in the world she was going to get out again.” (12) Heroism depends on the ability to put aside your own safety in order to learn and discover.