4. A Strange Race. Alice, the animals and the birds stood on the shore. They were very wet. “How are...

Alice animals birds race Dodo winner prizes sweets cat Dinah mouse sadness loneliness crying adventure
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  1. A Strange Race. Alice, the animals and the birds stood on the shore. They were very wet. “How are we going to get dry?" asked Alice. “The best way to get dry," said the Dodo, “is to run a race." It made a circle on the ground and the animals all started to run around the circle. They ran for half an hour, and when they stopped, they were dry. “But who is the winner?” asked Alice. The Dodo thought for a long time, and then it said, “EVERYONE is the winner! EVERYONE must have a prize!" “But who is going to give the prizes?” asked the mouse. “SHE is!" said the Dodo, and he pointed to Alice. “Prizes! Prizes!" shouted the animats. Alice looked in her pockets and found a box of sweets. There was one sweet each, so they sat down and ate them. Alice looked around at all the animals. "I miss my cat," she said. “You've got a CAT?" said the mouse. "Oh yes," said Alice. "Her name is Dinah. She’s very clever. She catches birds and mice, and - Oh! What did I say?” The animals were very upset. The mouse ran away, and some of the birds flew into the air. "It's time to go!” the others said. “Goodbye!” Alice was alone again. She felt* very sad. “Nobody here likes me," she said, and started crying again.

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задан 9 дней назад

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The story "A Strange Race" is an excerpt from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, a well-known classic of English literature. This particular scene is notable for its whimsical and nonsensical nature, which is characteristic of the book as a whole. Here’s a detailed discussion of the passage:

Summary of Events

In this scene, Alice and a group of animals and birds find themselves wet and cold after her adventures in the pool of tears. The Dodo, a quirky and authoritative figure among the animals, suggests an unorthodox solution to dry off: a Caucus Race. This "race" has no rules or structure—the animals simply run around in a circle until they are dry. When the race ends, Alice asks who the winner is, and the Dodo declares that everyone is a winner, which reflects the absurd and playful logic of Wonderland. To celebrate, Alice is tasked with giving out prizes, and she shares sweets from her pocket with the group.

However, the mood shifts dramatically when Alice mentions her cat, Dinah, who is known for catching birds and mice. This revelation frightens and offends the animals, as they feel threatened by the idea of a predator. Most of them leave in a hurry, leaving Alice alone and feeling sad once again.


Key Themes and Analysis

  1. Absurdity and Nonsense

    • The Caucus Race is a prime example of the nonsensical and arbitrary rules that govern Wonderland. There is no purpose, winner, or clear structure to the race, yet it serves as a solution to their problem of being wet. This reflects the book’s larger theme of challenging logic and reason, which mirrors the unpredictability of childhood imagination.
    • The idea that "everyone is a winner" further emphasizes the lack of competition or fairness in Wonderland. It’s a humorous critique of traditional ideas about races or contests.
  2. Community and Belonging

    • Initially, Alice seems to find companionship among the animals and birds, as they all participate in the race together. Sharing the sweets also creates a brief moment of bonding.
    • However, Alice’s mention of her cat, Dinah, disrupts this sense of community. Her unintentional comment highlights how quickly social harmony can be broken by fear or misunderstanding, leaving Alice isolated again.
  3. Alice’s Loneliness and Emotional Struggles

    • Throughout the story, Alice oscillates between moments of connection with others and feelings of isolation. Her longing for Dinah, her familiar companion, reflects her homesickness and desire for the comfort of her own world.
    • When the animals leave, Alice’s sadness deepens. This moment underscores one of the recurring themes in the book: Alice’s struggle to navigate the strange and unpredictable world of Wonderland, where she often feels out of place.
  4. Childhood Innocence

    • Alice’s casual mention of Dinah shows her innocence and lack of awareness about how her words might affect others. She doesn’t realize that talking about a cat—a natural predator—would upset the animals. This reflects her youthful naivety and serves as a reminder of how children often speak without thinking about the consequences.

Vocabulary and Language Notes

For learners of English, this passage provides examples of descriptive language, narrative dialogue, and simple past tense. Here are a few key points from the text:

  • Past Tense Verbs: The story uses past tense verbs such as "stood," "ran," "said," and "felt," which are essential for recounting events.
  • Reported Speech: The passage includes dialogue, which is useful for understanding how characters express themselves and interact.
  • New Vocabulary:
    • "Caucus Race" – A fictional, nonsensical term invented by Lewis Carroll. It can also refer to a type of political gathering in real life, but here it has no structured meaning.
    • "Shore" – The land along the edge of a body of water.
    • "Upset" – Feeling unhappy, worried, or angry.

Moral or Message

This scene from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland highlights the unpredictability of social interactions and the importance of being mindful of others’ perspectives. It also captures the whimsical and dreamlike quality of Wonderland, where logic is often turned upside down. For readers, it serves as a reminder to embrace the unexpected, but also to be thoughtful in how we communicate with others.

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ответил 9 дней назад
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В этом отрывке из «Алисы в стране чудес» мы видим, как Алиса и различные животные пытаются справиться с ситуацией, в которой они оказались. После того как они все намокли, Додо предлагает провести забег, чтобы высохнуть. Это решение кажется забавным и абсурдным, что характерно для стиля Льюиса Кэрролла. Забег, который длится полчаса, в конечном итоге приводит к тому, что все участники становятся сухими, но при этом возникает вопрос о том, кто же победил.

Интересно, что Додо решает, что победителями являются все, что подчеркивает идею сотрудничества и взаимопомощи. Однако это также иллюстрирует комичность ситуации — в мире Кэрролла правила и логика часто оказываются парадоксальными и нелепыми. Вместо того чтобы определить одного победителя, все становятся победителями, что подчеркивает дух дружбы и единства.

Когда Додо назначает Алису раздавать призы, это создает дополнительный комический эффект, так как она оказывается в роли, которая требует от нее авторитета, хотя она сама является ребенком, оказавшимся в совершенно незнакомом и странном мире. Алиса находит коробку конфет и делит их между животными, что вновь подчеркивает ее доброту и желание помочь.

Однако радость быстро сменяется грустью, когда Алиса упоминает о своей кошке Дине. Реакция животных — страх и тревога — показывает, как незнание и предвзятость могут вызвать негативные эмоции. Упоминание о кошке, хищнике для многих из них, заставляет животных убежать. Это создает контраст между беззаботной атмосферой забега и мрачным исходом, когда Алиса остается одна.

Чувство одиночества и печали Алисы в конце отрывка резонирует с читателем. Она стремится к дружбе и пониманию, но сталкивается с отказом и страхом со стороны животных. Этот момент подчеркивает тему изоляции, которая проходит через всю книгу, когда Алиса пытается найти свое место в странном и часто недружелюбном мире.

Таким образом, данный отрывок иллюстрирует как комические, так и трагические элементы рассказа, показывая, что даже в самых абсурдных ситуациях могут возникать глубокие чувства и переживания.

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ответил 9 дней назад

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