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The Cheshire Catfrom Alice in WonderlandThe whimsical and colorful Cheshire cat is a fictional feline who appears in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, authored by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (best-known by his pseudonym Lewis Carroll). This unique feline belongs to the Duchess, another colorful character Alice meets in Wonderland. In fact, Alice meets the Cat after she leaves the Duchess’ house. He’s sitting up in a tree, and he’s smiling. Alice asks the Duchess why he grins like he does, and she answers, “It's a Cheshire cat, … and that's why.” Alice then tells the Duchess that she didn’t know Cheshire cats could grin. In fact, she didn’t know cats in general could grin. To which the Duchess responds that all cats can grin.
The Cat plays an important role in Alice’s adventures as he instructs her in the protocols and rules that govern that strange and colorful place. Alice finds out that the Cat has the ability to materialize and dematerialize at will. He can also talk like a human. In fact, he carries on very engaging – though annoying – conversations with Alice. On most occasions, the Cat’s arguments don’t make sense to Alice and that proves to be very aggravating for her. However, if you look closely, there is some sort of wisdom in his words. One memorable conversation between Alice and the Cat happens when she asks him for directions: He first asks her where she is headed. Alice says that she doesn’t care where. To which the Cat responds: “Then it doesn't matter which way you go…” “--so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice continued. “Oh, you're sure to do that,” he said, “if you only walk long enough." During another conversation, Alice tells the Cat that she doesn’t want to be around mad people. The Cat responds that she is mad too; otherwise, she would not be in that strange land. Another notable encounter happens when the Cat suddenly appears at the Queen’s Croquet Ground and he’s sentenced to death. Alice is happy to see him. As usual, he does his vanishing act, disappearing slowly until just the head is left. A debate ensues about whether such a creature can indeed be decapitated. The Cat's smileOne of the best-known characteristics of the Cheshire cat (in addition to his vanishing acts) is his grin. In fact, when he disappears, the only thing that is left visible is his mischievous grin.He appears and disappears so quickly that at some point in the story Alice complains that he should stop disappearing so suddenly because she's becoming really giddy. He complies with Alice by disappearing really slowly, starting at the head and then continuing with the rest of his body, until only the grin is left. Alice says to herself that she’s seen many cats without a grin, but that a grin without a cat was the most curious thing she ever saw. Interestingly enough, the phrase “To grin like a Cheshire cat” was common in Lewis Carroll’s day. Possible inspiration for the Cheshire catSome experts believe that Lewis Carroll’s inspiration came from an artisan who painted signs for inns and other establishments of the area. These signs depicted grinning felines. Others believe that the author was inspired by a window in the Christ Church, located in Oxford, where you can see three grinning animals.Gift ideasHere are a few gift ideas for those cat lovers who also love this colorful character and Alice in Wonderland.
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