Alice in Wonderland: Tenniel's Timeless Achievement

The fascinating aspect of Alice to me is that I think of her, almost entirely, as Tenniel's illustration.

Before I continue--

My mother read to me growing up. Impressively enough, she never had any trouble understanding that I could draw and do other stuff while listening to her read. She read me everything, from Tolkien to Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

She did not enjoy reading Dr. Seuss to me, however, or the Alice in Wonderland books. The reason weren't political. It was about taste.

My dad read me Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. One year, we performed the Father Williams' poem at a church pageant. Another, we performed the Knight's poem.

I was interested, but I must confess, my tastes are in closer alignment to my mom's. I enjoyed having my dad read to me but I have rarely reread the first Alice book. 

I have reread the second a few times. The first seems...well, nuts, I guess. A true dream with people getting smaller, then taller, and cats disappearing, and everybody being kinda rude.

Through the Looking Glass seems mellower to me, kinder, gentler. The characters seem less obnoxious. 

And yet, in both, the main character, Alice remains...every-girl, I guess. I don't remember her as anything much, except she is straight-forward in her conversations. 

But those images! 

Sometimes the illustration is what everyone remembers.