How does "Alice" influence "Snow?"

"Curiouser and curiouser!"

 

One of my academic sources that I am using for research on my Capstone is Broadview Press's second edition of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is one of my favorite children’s stories of all time. This timeless classic has inspired many fantasy tales for both children and adults. I am using this particular copy of “Alice” not only because of the fantasy elements in the story and how they might inspire me, but because there is a very interesting introduction that explains of the themes and subtext in the story, as well as the history of the book. In these passages, we also learn more about the structure and characters of "Alice" in both a Victorian and modern context.

I am thinking of how this story and characters is influencing my own story. As I read through the introduction, I take note of things and how they might apply to my characters.

One point mentioned is that Alice is interesting for both fitting into the orphan ingénue stereotype (a popular type of a character in Victorian children’s literature, and even today’s children literature, I would say) while simulateously defying it. Alice had parents, but in Wonderland she was alone.

I thought about this myself with the main character of my story, Snow. I wanted Snow to face many challenges in her life alone, forcing her to be courageous and strong, but I did not want to her to be cliché. “Alice” inspired me to make a compromise.

Snow, like Alice, is alone through a good portion of the book, overcoming a great many obstacles by herself, thus learning more about herself and summoning strength, courage and patience that help her grow and mature.

Snow’s parents are both mentioned in the book, but neither is interested in raising her. Her mother was a raging monster, her father is a disinterested, spoiled God-like character. Both exist in the story, but neither wants to take responsibility for her. She is raised by an adoptive father and friends throughout the story. However, through her adventures, there are periods where she is alone and must use her wits and good sense to guide her.

I also am interested in the descriptions of “Wonderland,” in how it may help me shape the world that I am creating. “Wonderland” is curious because…well, actually, it’s just curious period, but it’s curious because truly anything is possible and it does not follow a lot of the same structure common for books set in fantastical lands. It is not like many fantasy stories where there are certain races like elves, dwarves, etc. There are no big cities and towns like in Narnia or Oz. You have humans and animals interacting in a bizarre setting.  

I think perhaps my setting may be a bit more traditional. I have a world map drawn. There are cities and world conflicts. There are wars, depressions, people reference other parts of the world. There are races in my world. In Wonderland, generally a type of a character is seen only once (only one March Hare, only one Cheshire Cat, etc), but I am interested in playing with themes of racism in my story, so I have humans, beasts, Gods, wood-creatures, and “halfways” (in the story this is a derogatory term for anthropomorphic type creatures.)

A rough sketch of the world of "Snowfall"

Though I have already developed much of my story, it’s very interesting to read and learn more about this book that I have always adored and has helped shape how I write my children’s stories. It inspires me and this source has been helpful in influencing where my story goes.

The Virtual Revolution: Episode One

The first episode of "The Virtual Revolution" focuses on the history and impact of the Internet and the Web (which I learned are technically two different things; the Web is apparently the connections on the Internet.) The internet has become such an essential and important tool in our lives and there is only a small chunk of time in my life where I do not remember having it at all. I would say that I check the internet more than fifty times throughout the course of a day.

I think just examining the power of the internet in general is fascinating, so that is something I found interesting about this episode. Here you have something that is not run or own by any one person, has limitless possibilities and anyone, nearly anywhere can contribute or be a part of it in some way. From online shops to social media to Wikipedia, the internet has changed the way that the world connects, learns and communicates. Information is being shared like never before. It's really interesting to learn more about where this revolutionary thing came from and who is behind it. 

I was interested to learn that the internet had it's roots even farther back than I realized. I knew the computers had existed prior to the sixties, but it was really amazing to see the progression towards it's invention examined in this video and interviews people who had a hand in the creation of such a massive, world-changing invention. One of my favorite interview subjects was Tim Berners-Lee, the man credited with creating the internet. There was a bit where he says that written onto his basic proposal for the idea of the internet by his boss was: "vague but exciting" just cracks me up. What a hilarious understatement in hindsight, considering what this little acorn of an idea would grow into.

The possibilities of the internet are just limitless and it's really something special that this man really threw this idea out there. He helped create it, but he doesn't own it. I think Stephen Fry said it best when he said that this sort of "idealism" should be "celebrated."

"Snowfall" - My Statement of Intent

Statement of Intent: Capstone Graphic Novel Project

For my Capstone, I will be creating a graphic novel. Monica Larson will be my director on this project. I am very interested in graphic novel to big screen adaptation (either live action or animation), so I would like to make a video of my illustrations with the character’s voices, sound effects and music added.

My graphic novel is “Snowfall.” The story centers around the fantastical and frightening adventures of a girl named Snow, the abandoned daughter of a fierce ice monster whose reign of terror has nearly brought the world they live in to its knees. When a powerful, but desperate politician learns of Snow’s existence, he sets after her to exploit powers he believes her to have. Snow is on the run now, encountering Gods, creatures, and new friends. Joined by Rigby, her goldfish, Strongheart, her guard dog and a rare bird named Bertie, Snow must overcome her fears, control her strengths and face her mother in a final battle that threatens to destroy them all.

"Snowfall" Character Concept Sketches

“Snowfall” has been taking shape over the last few years. The story deals with themes of family (particularly adoptive family), sacrifice, power/corruption and courage. I’m planning to work with Comic Life and draw the illustrations myself. In my final presentation of my work, I would like to also include concept sketches and a small “making of” type video elaborating more on the story, characters and how I put together the graphic novel, as well as a video featuring illustrations with voice, sound effects and music. I would edit the film in iMovie or After Effects.

This story is influenced strongly by dark fantasy films, such as “Return to Oz,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Never-Ending Story,” “The Fall,” and “Spirited Away” as well as classic fantasy tales like “Alice in Wonderland” and “Wizard of Oz” and Greek mythology. The story is also influenced by memories from my own childhood and life experiences. Though this story features a child as the main character and has elements of magic and whimsy, the story also has some very scary/adult elements in it. This book would probably be best suited young adults. Once I finish with this project, I would like to look into sending this off to be published (my fantasy would be for it to be adapted as an animated or live action movie.)