Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 10 summary
Chapter 10 of 12 · 9 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 10, Alice watches the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon demonstrate a sea dance, hears their strange explanations, and struggles to repeat verses correctly when they demand a lesson. The Mock Turtle then sings about soup until news of a trial interrupts him, and the Gryphon hurries Alice away.
What happens
- The Mock Turtle and the Gryphon explain the sea dance, then perform it without lobster partners while Alice watches.
- Their discussion of whiting, shoes, and porpoises turns familiar words into strange explanations.
- Alice begins recounting her adventures, but her account of altered verses prompts the creatures to demand a recitation.
- Alice repeats confused verses, and the creatures question their meaning until the Gryphon tells her to stop.
- The Mock Turtle sings about soup, but a distant announcement of a trial sends the Gryphon and Alice running away.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Alice describes a break between her present and past selves. Her remark makes personal change part of her account of the day’s adventures.
Quick check
What interrupts the Mock Turtle’s song?
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