Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass points out the significance people (often subconsciously) attach to names and words. When Alice meets Humpty Dumpty and he asks for her name, she questions “Must a name mean something?” (174). Humpty Dumpty answers, “Of course it must, my name means the shape I am” (174). Humpty Dumpty’s name is reflective of his appearance and character. The word “hump” and the shape of the letter “u” illustrate his oval shape, and the “ump” invokes feelings of falling down or “thumping,” matching with his fall from the wall and inability to get back up.
Carroll often uses made up words, such as in “Jabberwocky” when he uses the terms “brillig” and “slithy.” Despite these being made-up words, they still invoke feelings in the reader, and ideas of what they could mean. The “twas” before “brillig” seems to imply that “brillig” is a time, and “slithy” sounds like a combination of “slimy” and “lithe.” The use of these made-up words explores more deconstructionist ideas of semiotics; rather than a word or name being just that– a “clothing” of speech that gives a fixed name to a concept (Saussure), a name/word is an extension of language that can change in relation to time, other words, and the changing of other words (Derrida). Carroll’s frequent use of wordplay and creation of new words demonstrate this concept by showing that words have connotations that invoke feelings/ideas and connect to other words, rather than having one solidified meaning. For example, with the knowledge of the words “slimy” and “lithe,” readers are able to create a relationship to “slithy.”
Further, Carroll’s emphasis on names specifically highlights how names hold connotations that can impact our perception of a person. Humpty Dumpty wants Alice’s name in order to understand her business, but then concludes that her name is not one fixed identifier, saying “With a name like yours, you might be any shape, almost,” continuing to reflect this deconstructionist concept of language (175). Curiously, Lewis Carrol’s real name was Charles Dodgson. It is interesting to think about why he chose this pen name, and how he might have thought about the impression his name would leave on readers. “Carol” seems to immediately set up the idea that he is a storyteller.
I found all of your points really intersting as they examine how Alice and other characters make meaning in a somewhat meaningless world. Originally, I was a little confused by your last point about the connection between “Carol” and storyteller, but I do think that this ties into the author’s creation of songs and poems thoughout the text. Additionally, the first syllable of the name sounds like “care,” and I think that you can argue that this points to the care he has for children, for crafting this world, or for the act of writing.
I really enjoyed reading your post, and I especially liked the discussion of how Humpty Dumpty does not think Alice’s name means anything, so she could “be any shape, almost.” While Alice is not a play on a noun like some of the other names are that make their subtle meanings more obvious to us, I was interested in why Carrol picked this name in the first place. Upon googling it says it was from a little girl who he knew in real life. But I also looked up the meaning of the name in general, and found that it means noble. This is interesting in terms of his writing, because Alice’s knowledge and how that affects her time in this world is brought up a lot.
I found your claim about attaching names with words really profound! I like how you extend the analysis to attaching names/words with feelings, even if those words don’t necessarily mean something. I especially enjoy how you tied the class slides and literary terminology into your blog post. However, I wonder if perception is linked to sexuality and stereotypes of sexuality in some way? Great work!