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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 8 summary

Chapter 8 of 12 · 10 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 8, Alice protects three gardeners from the Queen of Hearts and joins a croquet game played with living animals and soldiers. The Queen’s repeated execution orders make Alice uneasy, while the Cheshire Cat’s appearance leads to a dispute that ends when its head disappears.

What happens

  1. Three gardeners paint white roses red to hide their planting mistake, and Alice hides them when the Queen orders their execution.
  2. Alice joins the royal procession, and the White Rabbit tells her the Duchess faces execution for striking the Queen.
  3. The croquet game becomes chaotic as living equipment moves about and the Queen repeatedly orders executions.
  4. The Cheshire Cat’s head appears, and Alice complains about the game before the King demands the Cat’s removal.
  5. The executioner and King disagree about beheading a head without a body, while the Queen threatens everyone present.
  6. Alice suggests consulting the Duchess, but the Cat disappears before the executioner returns with her.

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In this chapter

AliceWhite RabbitQueenCheshire CatTheme: Arbitrary authority

What to notice

Alice defends the Cat against the King’s demand for deference. Her reply challenges his attempt to control even the way it looks at him.

Quick check

Why does the executioner object to beheading the Cheshire Cat?

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