White Rabbit - Personality

Personality

In his article "Alice on the Stage," Carroll wrote "And the White Rabbit, what of him? Was he framed on the "Alice" lines, or meant as a contrast? As a contrast, distinctly. For her 'youth,' 'audacity,' 'vigour,' and 'swift directness of purpose,' read 'elderly,' 'timid,' 'feeble,' and 'nervously shilly-shallying,' and you will get something of what I meant him to be. I think the White Rabbit should wear spectacles. I'm sure his voice should quaver, and his knees quiver, and his whole air suggest a total inability to say 'Boo' to a goose!"

Overall, the White Rabbit seems to shift back and forth between pompous behavior toward his underlings, such as his servants, and grovelling, obsequious behavior toward his superiors, such as the Duchess and King and Queen of Hearts, in direct contrast to Alice, who is reasonably polite to everyone she meets.

Read more about this topic:  White Rabbit

Famous quotes containing the word personality:

    I am what is mine. Personality is the original personal property.
    Norman O. Brown (b. 1913)

    It is personality with a penny’s worth of talent. Error which chances to rise above the commonplace.
    Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

    India is an abstraction.... India is no more a political personality than Europe. India is a geographical term. It is no more a united nation than the Equator.
    Winston Churchill (1874–1965)