1. The Nature of Dreams: The story is largely based on the nonsensical and illogical nature of dreams. We encounter talking animals, playing cards, and creatures that defy logic, reflecting the surreal and unpredictable world of our subconscious.
2. Social Satire: Lewis Carroll (the author's real name) was known for his satire of Victorian society. The characters often represent specific social types, exaggerating their traits to create humorous and sometimes biting commentary. For example:
* The Queen of Hearts: Represents a tyrannical and unreasonable authority figure.
* The Mad Hatter and March Hare: Exaggerate the eccentricities and absurdity of Victorian social gatherings.
3. Children's Literature: Carroll wrote the story for children, and children often see the world differently. Their imagination allows them to accept and enjoy the fantastical and illogical elements that adults might find unsettling.
4. Language Play: Carroll loved wordplay and puns. The characters' names and interactions are often based on these word games, contributing to the overall sense of strangeness.
5. Surrealism: While not a formal movement in Carroll's time, the story's surreal qualities anticipate the later development of Surrealism in art and literature, which explores the subconscious and illogical aspects of human experience.
In essence, the strange characters in Alice in Wonderland are a product of Lewis Carroll's imagination, his use of satire, his understanding of children's perspectives, and his love of language play. These elements combine to create a world that is both whimsical and thought-provoking.