The White Queen

Do you remember The White Queen in Alice in Wonderland? She was a bit mad, remember? I do love her so!

Here's a bit of Alice in Wonderland with the White Queen:


`It's dreadfully confusing!' says Alice.


`That's the effect of living backwards,' the Queen said kindly: `it always makes one a little giddy at first --


`Living backwards!' Alice repeated in great astonishment. `I never heard of such a thing!'


` -- but there's one great advantage in it, that one's memory works both ways.' (says the Queen)


`I'm sure mine only works one way.' Alice remarked. `I can't remember things before they happen.'


`It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards,' the Queen remarked.”

– Alice in Wonderland



“`Oh, oh, oh!' shouted the Queen, shaking her hand about as if she wanted to shake it off. `My finger's bleeding! Oh, oh, oh, oh!'


Her screams were so exactly like the whistle of a steam-engine, that Alice had to hold both her hands over her ears.


`What is the matter?' she said, as soon as there was a chance of making herself heard. `Have you pricked your finger?'


`I haven't pricked it yet,' the Queen said, `but I soon shall - - oh, oh, oh!'


`When do you expect to do it?' Alice asked, feeling very much inclined to laugh.


`When I fasten my shawl again,' the poor Queen groaned out: `the brooch will come undone directly. Oh, oh!' As she said the words the brooch flew open, and the Queen clutched wildly at it, and tried to clasp it again.


`Take care!' cried Alice. `You're holding it all crooked!' And she caught at the brooch; but it was too late: the pin had slipped, and the Queen had pricked her finger.


`That accounts for the bleeding, you see,' she said to Alice with a smile. `Now you understand the way things happen here.'


`But why don't you scream now?' Alice asked, holding her hands ready to put over her ears again.


`Why, I've done all the screaming already,' said the Queen. `What would be the good of having it all over again?'”

–Alice in Wonderland