Chapter 2: The Pool of Tears

This chapter
Characters 13
Places 6
Alice grows disproportionately and, after being rejected by the White Rabbit, cries so much that she creates a pool of tears into which she falls when she shrinks again. While swimming, she meets a Mouse and other animals, with whom she finally manages to reach the shore after a bumpy conversation about cats and dogs.

On stage

Alice Grows until she hits the ceiling, cries a sea of tears, and then shrinks while using the Rabbit's fan. She falls into her own pool of tears and tries to strike up a conversation with a Mouse while swimming to shore.
The White Rabbit Trots past in a great hurry mentioning the Duchess. He gets so frightened when Alice speaks to him that he drops his gloves and his fan.
The Mouse Swims in the pool of tears alongside Alice. He takes offense when she talks about Dinah and a terrier, but finally agrees to lead her to the shore to tell her his story.
The Duck Appears at the end of the chapter swimming in the pool of tears toward the shore.
The Dodo Joins the group swimming to the shore in the pool of tears.
The Lory Swims in the pool of tears along with the other animals.
The Eaglet Part of the group of creatures swimming toward the shore.

Mentioned

The Duchess She is mentioned by the White Rabbit as the reason for his haste and fear.
Ada Mentioned by Alice during her identity crisis.
Mabel Repeatedly mentioned by Alice as the person she fears she has transformed into.
Dinah She is mentioned by Alice in her attempt to strike up a conversation with the Mouse, which causes a conflict.
Alice's brother Mentioned indirectly through his Latin grammar book.

Settings

The Hall The large hall where Alice originally fell. In this chapter, the ceiling is within reach of her head when she grows, and the floor is flooded with her tears, forming a pond.
The Pool of Tears A large body of salt water formed by Alice's crying when she was a giant. It becomes large enough that she and several animals have to swim in it.
Main 3

Alice

A curious, thoughtful, and polite girl who has the habit of talking to herself and giving herself advice. She has learned lessons in geography and manners, although she sometimes confuses the terms. She is capable of remaining calm even while falling down a deep well. In this chapter, she experiences drastic changes in size, reaching over nine feet tall and then shrinking to two feet. She questions her own identity, wondering if she has transformed into other girls like Ada or Mabel. She is sensitive and worries about not hurting the feelings of animals, although she sometimes puts her foot in it due to her natural way of talking about her cat.

Alice's Sister sisterThe White Rabbit pursued by AliceDinah owner of the catThe Mouse swimming and conversation companionAda acquaintance (possible alternative identity) +5 more
Chapters 1, 2

The White Rabbit

A rabbit with pink eyes who wears a waistcoat, carries a pocket watch, and seems to be in a great hurry. In this chapter, he appears splendidly dressed with white kid gloves and a fan. He is extremely worried about being late and about the Duchess's reaction. He is very skittish.

Alice is pursued by herThe Duchess servant or acquaintance fearful of her reaction
Chapters 1, 2

The Duchess

A character mentioned by the White Rabbit. It is suggested that she has a strong temperament, as the Rabbit fears she will be furious if he keeps her waiting.

The White Rabbit superior or person to whom the rabbit must answerAlice rude hostess
Chapter 2
Secondary 6

Alice's Sister

Alice's sister, who reads a book without pictures or conversations on the riverbank.

Alice sister
Chapter 1

The Mouse

A mouse that falls into the pool of tears. He is very sensitive, especially regarding cats and dogs, which he hates deeply due to family tradition. He seems to be cultured, or at least Alice suspects he might be French.

Alice swimming companion; feels offended by her comments about petsThe Lory acquaintance
Chapter 2

The Duck

A bird that falls into the pool of tears and swims to the shore.

Alice shipwreck companion in the poolThe Mouse acquaintance/interlocutor
Chapter 2

The Dodo

One of the curious creatures that fall into the pool of tears.

Alice shipwreck companion in the pool
Chapter 2

The Lory

A bird that is part of the group that falls into the pool.

Alice shipwreck companion in the pool
Chapter 2

The Eaglet

A small bird found in the group of animals in the water.

Alice shipwreck companion in the poolThe Dodo acquaintance/interlocutor
Chapter 2
Mentioned 4
Dinah She is mentioned by Alice in her attempt to strike up a conversation with the Mouse, which causes a conflict.
Ada Mentioned by Alice during her identity crisis.
Mabel Repeatedly mentioned by Alice as the person she fears she has transformed into.
Alice's brother Mentioned indirectly through his Latin grammar book.
Main 4

The Riverbank

The initial place where Alice is sitting with her sister before seeing the rabbit.

  • Alice feels bored and sleepy before seeing the White Rabbit.
  • Alice wakes up from her dream on her sister's lap.
  • Alice tells her adventures to her sister.
  • Alice's sister remains daydreaming as the sun sets.
Chapter 1

The Beautiful Garden

A place with bright flower beds and cool fountains, visible through a fifteen-centimeter small door.

  • Alice watches it longingly through the small door but cannot enter due to her size.
  • Alice finally enters the garden after reducing her size to ten inches.
Chapter 1

The Hall

The large hall where Alice originally fell. In this chapter, the ceiling is within reach of her head when she grows, and the floor is flooded with her tears, forming a pond.

  • Alice grows to nine feet tall.
  • Alice cries gallons of tears, creating a deep pool.
  • The White Rabbit appears and flees, leaving his gloves and fan.
  • Alice shrinks again using the fan.
Chapter 2

The Pool of Tears

A large body of salt water formed by Alice's crying when she was a giant. It becomes large enough that she and several animals have to swim in it.

  • Alice falls into the water after slipping.
  • Alice meets the Mouse and swims with him.
  • Several birds and animals fall into the water and swim together to the shore.
Chapter 2
Secondary 2

The Rabbit-Hole / The Well

A tunnel that begins under a hedge and turns into a very deep well with walls full of cupboards, maps, and pictures.

The Hall of Doors

A long, low hall, lit by lamps, with many locked doors and a glass table.

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