Rules

In this book club you will discuss Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll in a small group of 4-6 readers. You will start a conversation by responding to discussion questions about the text. The book club opens with a brief introduction that one of you reads out loud. The book club then continues in four rounds:

  1. Round 1 consists of 5 quiz questions about the text. One of the group members acts as the quiz master who reads each question out loud, after which everyone (including the quiz master) writes down their answer. The correct answers will appear on the screen after you have turned over the final question card. You may then check your answers and calculate your scores.
  2. Round 2 consists of genuine questions that you have. Each group member consults the group about a part of the text that they thought was unclear. Together, you try to find answers to the questions that are raised. After everything has been cleared up, your group is ready to proceed to the next round.
  3. Round 3 consists of questions for discussion. There are two categories to choose from. The person with the most correct answers to the quiz questions gets to be the first to turn over a card and respond to the question. The other members of the group may then add to the discussion by responding and sharing their ideas. Take turns until all cards are flipped.
  4. Round 4 is when you get to review the text. How many stars would you give the text and why? Discuss this together until you have reached a shared verdict. Use the text box to explain your choice.

Introduction

‘Alice put her arm through the glass, then a second later she jumped lightly down into the Looking-glass room. She turned round to look at the fireplace and she was happy to see there was a fire in that room too. But there were many different things in this room.’ (pp. 11-12)

In Alice Through the Looking Glass, Alice steps through a mirror into a strange world where everything is reversed. She meets unusual characters like Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, and the Red Queen. The story feels like a game of chess, where Alice moves across a land divided into little squares. Along the way, she learns about logic, imagination, friendship, and growing up.

Round 1: Quiz



Quiz question

1. What were some of the differences between the original room and the Looking-glass room?

2. How and where exactly does Alice find the Red Queen in the garden?

3. Why were Tweedledee and Tweedledum fighting in Chapter 4?

4. Alice thinks that Humpty Dumpty is wearing a belt but he’s not, what is he wearing?

5. Who were the Red Queen and the White Queen, according to Alice?

Answers

1. The clock had an old man’s face in it, the room was less tidy, the chess pieces were moving.
2. Alice finds the Red Queen at the top of a hill by walking in the opposite direction.
3. Because Tweedledee took Tweedledum’s new toy.
4. A bow tie.
5. Her black kitten and her white kitten.

Round 2: Initial questions

Hieronder staan verschillende fragmenten uit het boek. Kies allemaal één fragment. Bedenk en noteer een vraag die je aan een van de personages zou willen stellen. Probeer samen antwoord te geven op die vraag.

1. Alice arrives in the garden of talking flowers. ‘Alice was very … started shouting loudly.’ (pp. 17-18)
2. Alice jumps over one of the six little rivers and is suddenly on a train. ‘A man put … he went away.” (pp. 24-25)
3. The queen pricks her finger on her brooch. ‘Suddenly, the queen … it all again.”’ (pp. 37-39)
4. The White Knight shows his invention to Alice. ‘“You are looking … my horse’s legs”’ he said. (pp. 58)
5. Alice wakes back up. ‘Alice picked up … was a kitten again.’ (pp. 69)

Round 3: Discussion



Personal connections?

Card 1/6 - Personal connections?

1. Have you ever experienced something that felt confusing or ‘backwards’ like Alice’s world?

Card 2/6 - Personal connections?

2. Which character do you relate to most, and why?

Card 3/6 - Personal connections?

3. If you could visit one place or meet one character from the Looking-glass world, which would you choose? Why?

Card 4/6 - Personal connections?

4. Do you think it’s fair that the King’s messenger was punished for something he hadn’t done yet?

Card 5/6 - Personal connections?

5. What kind of questions do you think should be on the Queen’s exam in Chapter 9?

Card 6/6 - Personal connections?

6. The Looking-glass world does not always make sense. Does this make the story more or less enjoyable for you? Explain your answer.

Personal connections?

That was the last card!



Food for thought?

Card 1/6 - Food for thought?

1. Why do you think the world in the mirror follows different rules?

Card 2/6 - Food for thought?

2. How does Alice deal with the strange rules of the Looking-glass world? What does this tell us about her?

Card 3/6 - Food for thought?

3. The author shows many adults as strange or unhelpful. What could this mean? Why would he do that?

Card 4/6 - Food for thought?

4. The story is about growing up. How does Alice change during her journey across the chessboard?

Card 5/6 - Food for thought?

5. Alice is not sure whose dream it was at the end of the book, who do you think was dreaming? Explain your answer using examples from the text.

Card 6/6 - Food for thought?

6. Why do you think the story begins and ends with the kittens?

Food for thought?

That was the last card!

Round 4: Review

Review Alice Through the Looking Glass by rating the novel on a scale of one to five stars, and then provide an explanation for your choice. Discuss what aspects you enjoyed and what aspects you didn’t, and provide reasons for your opinions. Reflect on whether the discussion influenced your individual perspective, and if so, how. Incorporate examples and arguments from your responses to the discussion questions to support your review.

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