Chapter 3: A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale

This chapter
Characters 22
Places 7
Alice and a group of animals gather on the shore and, after the Mouse's attempt to dry them with a boring history lesson fails, the Dodo organizes a "Caucus-race" where everyone runs as they please and everyone wins. Alice hands out sweets as prizes and the Mouse tries to tell his story, but leaves offended by Alice's distractions; finally, she is left alone when she scares the other animals by talking about her cat Dinah's skills.

On stage

Alice Participates in the Caucus-race, hands out prizes (edibles) to the animals, and gives her own thimble to the Dodo so it can be returned to her as a prize. Tries to listen to the Mouse's story but accidentally offends him.
The Mouse Tries to dry the group with a boring historical account and begins to tell his "long and sad" story, but leaves indignant when Alice interrupts him with misunderstandings about knots and tails.
The Lory Argues with Alice about who is older and complains about the Mouse's story. Leaves frightened when Alice mentions that her cat eats birds.
The Dodo Proposes and organizes the Caucus-race to get dry, decides that everyone has won, and leads the prize-giving ceremony.
The Duck Interrupts the Mouse's historical account to ask what it was that the archbishop found.
The Eaglet Mocks the Dodo's pompous language and asks him to speak in plain English.
The old Crab Scolds her daughter, telling her she must not lose her temper after the Mouse's departure.
The young Crab Rudely tells her mother to be quiet.
The old Magpie Leaves the group, wrapping itself up carefully and complaining about the night air.
The Canary Quickly takes its children to bed after hearing that Alice's cat eats birds.

Mentioned

Dinah Is mentioned by Alice, which causes all the birds and the Mouse to flee in terror.
Fury Appears in the poem/story that Alice visualizes while the Mouse speaks.
William the Conqueror Is the subject of the Mouse's historical reading.
Edwin and Morcar Mentioned as part of the boring historical account.
Stigand Mentioned in the historical account.
Edgar Atheling Mentioned in the historical account.

Settings

The shore of the pool Place where Alice and the animals gather after coming out of the pool of tears. It is the setting for the Caucus-race.
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 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 and then shrinking to 60 centimeters. 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 animals' feelings, although she sometimes slips up due to her naturalness when talking about her cat. In this chapter, she acts as a provider of prizes for the animals and tries to be kind, although she accidentally scares everyone by talking about her cat Dinah's hunting skills.

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, 3

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 10

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. In this chapter, he appears as an authority figure trying to dry the group by reading a boring history lesson about William the Conqueror. He is easily offended when Alice confuses his words or mentions predators.

Alice swimming companion; feels offended by her comments about petsThe Lory acquaintance
Chapters 2, 3

The Duck

A bird that falls into the pool of tears and swims to the shore. It has a very practical view of things, associating the term "it" with food like frogs or worms.

Alice shipwreck companion in the poolThe Mouse acquaintance/interlocutor
Chapters 2, 3

The Dodo

One of the curious creatures that fall into the pool of tears. He appears solemn and uses complex and pompous language. He is the one who organizes the Caucus-race.

Alice shipwreck companion in the pool
Chapters 2, 3

The Lory

A bird that is part of the group that falls into the pool. It is stubborn and hides behind its age to claim it knows more than Alice. It does not like the night air.

Alice shipwreck companion in the pool
Chapters 2, 3

The Eaglet

A small bird found in the group of animals in the water. It has no patience for long and complicated words.

Alice shipwreck companion in the poolThe Dodo acquaintance/interlocutor
Chapters 2, 3

The old Crab

An old crab who takes advantage of the situation to give moral lessons to her daughter.

The young Crab mother
Chapter 3

The young Crab

Daughter of the old Crab, with little patience for her mother's advice.

The old Crab daughter
Chapter 3

The old Magpie

A bird that leaves hurriedly after hearing about the cat Dinah, using its throat as an excuse.

Chapter 3

The Canary

A small bird that is frightened by Alice's comments about her cat.

Chapter 3
Mentioned 9
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.
Fury Appears in the poem/story that Alice visualizes while the Mouse speaks.
William the Conqueror Is the subject of the Mouse's historical reading.
Edwin and Morcar Mentioned as part of the boring historical account.
Stigand Mentioned in the historical account.
Edgar Atheling Mentioned in the historical account.
Main 5

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

The shore of the pool

Place where Alice and the animals gather after coming out of the pool of tears. It is the setting for the Caucus-race.

  • The group gathers to try to get dry.
  • The Mouse reads a history lesson.
  • The Caucus-race is held.
  • Alice hands out prizes and receives her thimble.
  • The Mouse tries to tell his story and leaves.
  • All the animals abandon Alice after hearing about Dinah.
Chapter 3
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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