"Who are you?" said the Caterpillar.
...
"You!" said the Caterpillar contemptuously. "Who are you?"
...
One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.
The Caterpillar’s Mushroom
Like the garden, the Caterpillar’s mushroom also has multiple symbolic meanings. Some readers and critics view the Caterpillar as a sexual threat, its phallic shape a symbol of sexual virility. The Caterpillar’s mushroom connects to this symbolic meaning. Alice must master the properties of the mushroom to gain control over her fluctuating size, which represents the bodily frustrations that accompany puberty. Others view the mushroom as a psychedelic hallucinogen that compounds Alice’s surreal and distorted perception of Wonderland.
Before now, I hadn't thought much about the symbolism behind Alice's story. These theories on the caterpillar's mushroom were an interesting find for me. I tend to agree with the idea of Alice battling puberty.
What way do you see the caterpillar's mushroom?
Hey, check out Book on the Hill's post with a recipe for Caterpillar's Salad (aka mushroom salad).
*source mushroom image
October 7 - 14, 2009
