Throughout April I’m taking part in the Blogging from A-Z Challenge. I’ll be posting every day (except Sundays) on my chosen theme of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll.
For the letter B, I have chosen to look at one of the minor characters from Alice in Wonderland.
Bill the Lizard
Bill the Lizard first appears in chapter four of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. When Alice grows to an enormous size and gets stuck in the White Rabbit’s house, the rabbit orders Bill the handyman (handylizard?) to go through his chimney and investigate. Alice kicks him and sends him flying into the air, but luckily he is saved by the other Wonderland creatures. Bill also appears as a member of the jury in the Knave of Hearts‘ trial, in which Alice takes his pencil from him because it’s squeaking too much on his slate and annoying her.
Quote
`Oh! So Bill’s got to come down the chimney, has he?’ said Alice to herself. `Shy, they seem to put everything upon Bill! I wouldn’t be in Bill’s place for a good deal: this fireplace is narrow, to be sure; but I THINK I can kick a little!’
She drew her foot as far down the chimney as she could, and waited till she heard a little animal (she couldn’t guess of what sort it was) scratching and scrambling about in the chimney close above her: then, saying to herself `This is Bill,’ she gave one sharp kick, and waited to see what would happen next.
The first thing she heard was a general chorus of `There goes Bill!’ then the Rabbit’s voice along–`Catch him, you by the hedge!’ then silence, and then another confusion of voices–`Hold up his head–Brandy now–Don’t choke him–How was it, old fellow? What happened to you? Tell us all about it!’
Last came a little feeble, squeaking voice, (`That’s Bill,’ thought Alice,) `Well, I hardly know–No more, thank ye; I’m better now–but I’m a deal too flustered to tell you–all I know is, something comes at me like a Jack-in-the-box, and up I goes like a sky-rocket!’
Symbolism
I couldn’t find much information about poor old Bill. In my opinion, he seems to represent Victorian working class people, who were ordered about by the upper classes and often forced to do dangerous, dirty jobs like chimney sweeping. In the passage above, Alice remarks that she wouldn’t want to be in Bill’s place. Alice seems to have had an upper-class upbringing and she doesn’t treat Bill with any respect at all. I think this shows the darker side of Alice’s personality; she can act selfishly without thinking of the consequences.
Fun Facts
- In the Disney animation, Bill is portrayed as a cockney chimney sweep reminiscent of Bert from Mary Poppins. An identical lizard appears in The Great Mouse Detective.
- There is a character in the ABC show Once Upon a Time in Wonderland called “Lizard”, which is a reference to Bill.
Before you go…
What do you think Alice’s treatment of Bill shows about her?
We all have a dark side and Alice, despite everything she strives to be, is no different. Love the theme 🙂
Very true. I’m glad you like the theme. Thank you for visiting, Ronel.
Fabulous theme! I have a poem in Wonderland: Alice in Poetry ed. Michaela Morgan, Macmillan, a book which you might enjoy – the poems in Alice and a modern take on them. I did the mouse’s tail poem. I’ll enjoy these posts. ~ Liz
(I’m doing Z-A: a list of the best children’s writers with poems they have sent me. Poet and author Jane Yolen today! http://www.poetryroundabout.com)
Oh how wonderful, I will have to have a look for that book, I’d love to read your poem.
Well that was something I didn’t remember from Alice in Wonderland – and it’s interesting that it shows a side of her character that is less than lovely – I think she seems a little precocious several times in her interactions – definitely a sense of entitlement comes through (maybe she’s a Millennial 😀 )
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
B for Believe in Yourself
Yes, I agree she is a little precocious and self-assured. She gradually becomes more humble as she learns that Wonderland doesn’t work according to the rules she has learnt about the world.
Oh, poor Bill. I do love him. He’s a loveable character in my opinion.
Yeah, I find him quite endearing too.
I didn’t remember this character so thank you! 🙂
He only makes a brief appearance, but I think he’s quite interesting.
Yes I don’t remember Bill either… I think I need to get myself a new copy of this book and maybe read to the grandchildren… if they can still long enough. This is going to be a busy month for us… I’m busy writing on Nancy Drew… https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/category/2018-a-to-z-all-about-nancy-drew/
Yes, that’s a great idea. There’s something kind of timeless about Alice and her adventures.
I always found the lizard character and his travails funny when I read this book as a kid. There is something about the way the lizard is humanised as Bill, that made it funny and endearing at the same time. But never really dwelled upon the darker hues you mentioned here. Good write!
Yes, I always felt sorry for poor Bill and found the Disney animated version really cute.
I like the connection between Bill and Bert. I’m looking forward how the Lin-Manuel Miranda character in Mary Poppins Returns carries on this tradition of a working-class character.
Yes, I’m super excited for that film! I know nothing can replace the original, so I’m glad this is a sequel rather than a remake. It was a childhood favourite of mine. Did you ever see Saving Mr Banks? I thought the story about how P.L. Travers didn’t like the movie was really interesting.
I’m lovin’ the phrase ‘handylizard’! Lol XD