Identity and Symbolism in Fantasy Novels

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Coming of age does not happen without change, Change does not happen without conflict. The Alice in Wonderland books by Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass; and Calvino, Invisible Cities are books that focus on the transformation of the individual and metamorphoses of the collective. This essay will specifically focus on identity and symbolism. Both novels allow us to enter a world of fantasy through distortion and alternate worlds. Thus allowing the reader to determine the underline rational to what is being hidden within the text . Fantasy theory relates to the work of Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass and Invisible Cities through themes of liminality, symbolism and distortion. Liminality can be perceived “the transitional period or rite of passage, during which the participant lacks social status or rank, remains anonymous, shows obedience and humility”(Dictionary), Both books are dealing with an individual or collective coming of age. These coming of age tales can also be observed as rite of passage. “Arnold van Gennep, described rites of passage as a threefold process with phases of separation, segregation, and integration” (Rites of Passage). The initiate (that is, the person undergoing the ritual) is first stripped of the social status that he or she possessed before the ritual, inducted into the liminal period of transition, and finally given his or her new status and re-assimilated into society. This threefold process phase will further exemplify Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass and Invisible Cities the individual and collective rites of passage. Alice in Wonderland begins the first stage of the threefold process of separation. “Either the well was very deep, or ... ... middle of paper ... ...dults we desire to obtain more status or materialistic items. Nevertheless, through change and development we remember our progress through memory. We contemplate our lives and how we lived them. We question the inferno of ones life and the desire of ones future. In society one can either resist or comply with change. Personal growth and structural growth is out of ones control. The best course seems to be transiting to the next level of one’s status. Then take the experiences and learn to grow from them. Works Cited liminality." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 10 Mar. 2011. . Rites of Passage - Rituals, World, Burial, Body, Funeral, Life, Cause, Time, Person, Human." Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. .

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