THE DORMOUSE
"Twinkle Twinkle little bat,
how I wonder what you're at!
Up above the world you fly
Like a tea tray in the sky!"
how I wonder what you're at!
Up above the world you fly
Like a tea tray in the sky!"
The Dormouse-1951
The Dormouse- 2010
The Dormouse-Novel
The dormouse is resembled rather similarly in this 1951 adaptation of Lewis Carroll's work. He is part of the Mad Party Trio and engages at what he does best, sleeping. However, there are several differences to be taken note of, especially the interaction between the Dormouse and his two friends. In this animation, the Dormouse is less so an object used as a cushion or pinched, but instead seems to be more in sync with the group dynamics with the March Hare and the Hatter. When Alice joined in the tea party, the performance of the trio with their green hats represents equality within the three characters. When the Dormouse heard the word "CAT" and grew frantic, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare immediately came to his aid and demanded for jam to settle the poor creature. His size in relation to the teapot is also of significant difference between the film and the text. According to the images above, the Dormouse in the novel illustration is clearly beyond the size of the teapot and is forcefully being squished into it. However, in the film, the Dormouse and the teapot's proportion are appropriate and teapot is almost a comfortable home to him, for sleeping and a place to resort to after hearing the frightful word.
The scene of which the Hatter and the March Hare were singing the "Happy Unbirthday" song to Alice and the Dormouse magically emerging out of fireworks is not included in the text. The explosion of the "Unbirthday" cake, fireworks, and the Dormouse singing as he floats under an umbrella are not adapted, but placed into the film to emphasize on creativity and the possibilities of an adventurous wonderland.
The scene of which the Hatter and the March Hare were singing the "Happy Unbirthday" song to Alice and the Dormouse magically emerging out of fireworks is not included in the text. The explosion of the "Unbirthday" cake, fireworks, and the Dormouse singing as he floats under an umbrella are not adapted, but placed into the film to emphasize on creativity and the possibilities of an adventurous wonderland.
To say the least, the Dormouse is "new and improved"! Tim Burton's adaptation completely revised this character not only in appearance, but in personality and contribution to the plot line. Most importantly, the Dormouse's identity drastically shifted: from the novel (identified as "it") to the 1951 adaptation (assumed to be "he") and more notably, the Dormouse is a female figure named Mallymkun in Tim Burton's adaptation. The Dormouse is no longer the drowsy sleeper, but is transformed into a warrior who successfully throws her weapon (a pin) into the Jubjub bird's eye (who is quite massive in size). She carries her prize around (the eye) and joins Alice in her journey to save the Hatter from the Queen of Hearts. Her ambitious and courageous self is contrary to the conforming and agreeable Dormouse in both the novel and the 1951 film.
Tim Burton and his crew's intention to completely change the Dormouse's character has several implications; for example, offering a masculine role as a warrior intentionally to a female character suggests the transformation of gender roles from 1951 to 2010. Another possibility would be dissipating the notion of a social class in Wonderland and serve as a representative of the minority: lower class and female, who is equally, if not more capable than her dominant male counterparts.
Tim Burton and his crew's intention to completely change the Dormouse's character has several implications; for example, offering a masculine role as a warrior intentionally to a female character suggests the transformation of gender roles from 1951 to 2010. Another possibility would be dissipating the notion of a social class in Wonderland and serve as a representative of the minority: lower class and female, who is equally, if not more capable than her dominant male counterparts.
'You might just as well say,'
added the Dormouse, who seemed to be talking in his sleep, 'that "I
breathe when I sleep" is the same thing as "I sleep when I breathe"!'
The Dormouse exemplifies exactly what it says, its notable trait in the novel is sleeping. In "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", the Dormouse debuts as a cushion for the March Hare and the Mad Hatter's elbows to rest on in the Mad Tea-Party. He also tells a story about three sisters and a treacle. In fact, the Dormouse is quite insignificant in his role and size compared to his other friends. He serves almost as an object or a source of entertainment, not just acting as a cushion but also the victim of "hot tea poured upon its nose" (p. 84) by the Hatter. The Hatter and the March Hare pinched it when it started singing "Twinkle Twinkle". In many ways, the Dormouse seemed to be physically abused by these two bigger characters. After Alice angrily left the Tea Party due to rudeness, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare were attempting to "put the Dormouse into the teapot" (p. 92).
Furthering the notion of the Dormouse's objectification, the novel did not determine its gender and the pronoun used was "it", whereas the March Hare and the Hatter are both male characters.
Why is the Dormouse particularly treated disrespectfully?
A book review by Abigail Muscat suggests that the Dormouse can be a symbol of Karl Marx's notion of the proletariat, which is defined as a member of the lowest class. The social hierarchy is apparent in Lewis Carroll's wonderland and the correlation of size to power should also be taken into consideration. An example would be Alice's largeness at trial that gained her the power to rebel against the queen ("You're nothing but a pack of cards!"-p. 147).
The Dormouse exemplifies exactly what it says, its notable trait in the novel is sleeping. In "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", the Dormouse debuts as a cushion for the March Hare and the Mad Hatter's elbows to rest on in the Mad Tea-Party. He also tells a story about three sisters and a treacle. In fact, the Dormouse is quite insignificant in his role and size compared to his other friends. He serves almost as an object or a source of entertainment, not just acting as a cushion but also the victim of "hot tea poured upon its nose" (p. 84) by the Hatter. The Hatter and the March Hare pinched it when it started singing "Twinkle Twinkle". In many ways, the Dormouse seemed to be physically abused by these two bigger characters. After Alice angrily left the Tea Party due to rudeness, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare were attempting to "put the Dormouse into the teapot" (p. 92).
Furthering the notion of the Dormouse's objectification, the novel did not determine its gender and the pronoun used was "it", whereas the March Hare and the Hatter are both male characters.
Why is the Dormouse particularly treated disrespectfully?
A book review by Abigail Muscat suggests that the Dormouse can be a symbol of Karl Marx's notion of the proletariat, which is defined as a member of the lowest class. The social hierarchy is apparent in Lewis Carroll's wonderland and the correlation of size to power should also be taken into consideration. An example would be Alice's largeness at trial that gained her the power to rebel against the queen ("You're nothing but a pack of cards!"-p. 147).
