Sunday, April 15, 2012

The Earth Day Reading Project


April 22  is The Earth Day.
   My choice for the Earth Day Reading Project was the book “Through the Looking Glass”, by Lewis Carroll. I liked the humor of Lewis Carroll. Since then, when my children were young, we loved this book.The children laughed when I read them (of course, in Russian translation): 
 
`I said you looked like an egg, Sir,' Alice gently explained. `And some eggs are very pretty, you know, she added, hoping to turn her remark into a sort of a compliment. `Some people,' said Humpty Dumpty, looking away from her as usual, `have no more sense than a baby!' 

 Alice didn't know what to say to this: it wasn't at all like conversation, she thought, as he never said anything to her; in fact, his last remark was evidently addressed to a tree - so she stood and softly repeated to herself:

 `Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall:

 Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

 All the King's horses and all the King's men

 Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty in his place again.'
`That last line is much too long for the poetry,' she added, almost out loud, forgetting that Humpty Dumpty would hear her.  `Don't stand there chattering to yourself like that,' Humpty Dumpty said, looking at her for the first time,' but tell me your name and your business.'  `My name is Alice, but -' 

`It's a stupid name enough!' Humpty Dumpty interrupted impatiently. `What does it mean?' `must a name mean something?' Alice asked doubtfully. `Of course it must,' Humpty Dumpty said with a sort laugh: `my name means the shape I am -  and a good handsome shape it is, too. With a name like your, you might be any shape, almost.'
     
   The book, about the Looking Glass world, describes all the familiar emotions: joy and sadness, fear and trust, resentment and perseverance, curiosity and perseverance.
Little Alice always knows what is right and what is wrong and goes to her goal.
   Many adults and children love this story. Some people find a reflection of their fantasies in it , and other people endowed with artistic talent are inspired to realize their creative ideas. Working in the garden in the rain and cold, summer and fall, I try to make a beautiful garden and so my ideas have been achieved.  
So we enjoy the priceless gift that the English mathematician Lewis Carroll made for people more than a century ago.

15 comments:

  1. Hi Nadezda
    The many film versions of Alice in Wonderland are very enjoyable as well!!
    Love the photo at the top - very effective!
    Astrid

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    1. Thank you, Astrid. This photo was taken yesterday, this snowdrop was a surprise.

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  2. It has been many years since I read Through the Looking Glass, but I loved your point of being inspired - and in so doing, realizing a beautiful garden. Gardening is a creative outlet, with color, form, textures, and design. I will now have to read this book again with a new perspective.

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    1. Holley, when I see your roses I think your life's very quiet and calm in such charm garden.

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  3. You have illustrated the magic of this book so well. I have not read it in quite a while, but, you are right, it is very inspiring. It inspires me to be creative, to look for beauty, and to always maintain a sense of curiosity--in my life and in my garden. Excellent choice! Thank you so much for participating in The Earth Day Reading Project. You have added a timeless selection, and I am anxious to read it once more.

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    1. Thank for reading my post! I think a curiosity is one of important distinguishing feature of a gardener.

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  4. When I was a child I loved listening to stories being read aloud. I also loved reading to my son. The stories of childhood can certainly have a huge impact on us all and can often make for lifelong inspiration!

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  5. I missed Lewis Carroll when I was a child. He was not so well known in Germany. But my children, who grew up in England, enjoyed the story very much.

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    1. Me too, Frico. I could not read these stories, because they were translated later. But my children listened to my reading aloud in very good text and poetry Russian translation.

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  6. The stories are timeless and every generation loves to hear them.

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    1. Thanks, you are right! I hope my grandchildren will read Lewis Carroll too.

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  7. Hi, a lovely post about a wonderful book. Also what a nice snowdrop - I've never seen on like that before. Tim

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    1. Thank you for reading! I hope you'll visit my blog.

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  8. Hello there Nadezda : )
    This is one of my favorite books .. also a very old movie in the late 30's was done of it which I love. Ah the snowdrop shivering a bit ? I hope your weather has improved and is warmer .. ours is back and forth .. but no rain still , so very dry. I had to water the gardens a couple of days ago myself .. this was a very nice post for Earth Day !
    Joy : )

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