Since Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the expression “down the rabbit hole” has become a figure of speech. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the “rabbit hole” itself is…
…used to refer to a bizarre, confusing, or nonsensical situation or environment, typically one from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.
Though John Tenniel doesn’t provide us with an illustration of that moment in his original work for the novel’s first edition, it’s one of the most iconic scenes of the tale and we are bound to believe it meant a lot to Carroll too since the first version of the manuscript was called Alice’s Adventures under Ground. And I don’t think I have to stress the meaning of descending: Alice’s facing a proper catabasis.
In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.
It’s one of the moments Disney’s version captures best, from Alice’s point of view, with Dinah the cat waving goodbye from above.
Goodbye!
Goodbye, Dinah! Goodbye!
It’s worth noting how the final version in the cartoon is quite the opposite of the first concept sketches: we don’t see Alice, for a while. At that moment, we are Alice.
A concept sketch for the cartoon.
Today, we take a look at a similar theme in a Welsh legend. If you want to take a look at the many illustrations of that scene, I suggest you browse an old post of mine. For the legend, drop by on Patreon.
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