What's with the reference to "Alice in Wonderland" in Nalo Hopkinson's "The Reverse Cheshire Cat"?

Question

Nalo Hopkinson's "[The Reverse Cheshire Cat]()" is obviously making a reference to Lewis Carroll's *Alice in Wonderland*, with the Cheshire Cat. The two protagonists enter a shop named "The Reverse Cheshire Cat":> The weather-blasted chipboard sign over the diner read “The Reverse Cheshire Cat.” The barely visible image showed an alarmed-looking cat clinging upside down from — was that a surveillance camera pole? Prof chuckled. “Bet there’s a story there.”But this is the *only* time in the story the name is mentioned.Why is *Alice in Wonderland* being referenced here - and specifically, the Cheshire Cat - and why is this single mention important enough that it made its way to the title?

Answer 1

To understand the significance of Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat, ask yourself:

1. What are the themes, major characters, and general plot in Alice in Wonderland?
2. What are the themes, major characters, and general plot in "The Reverse Cheshire Cat?"
3. How are these two stories alike and dislike?

For example, Alice in Wonderland is a story of a young girl who gets swept away into an adventure with quite strange and unusual characters, including the insane Mad Hatter, the murderous Queen of Hearts, and the enigmatic Cheshire Cat. Themes of this story include adventure, the loss of childhood innocence, and the absurdity of life. Are there any similiarities between this story and "The Reverse Cheshire Cat?"

To understand why the author titled the story "The Reverse Cheshire Cat" and named the diner that, analyze the character as it appears in Alice in Wonderland. This character watches over the actions of Alice, giving some insight into the nature of Wonderland only to disappear into the shadows (leaving its eerie smile to fade last) and out of sight. The Cheshire Cat is usually portrayed as a purple, striped cat with a larger-than-life smirk in a tree.

You mention that the sign of "The Reverse Cheshire Cat" diner features a frightened, upside down cat hanging from a surveillance camera pole. Based on the character of the Cheshire Cat, who typically watches and disappears from view, why does the inclusion of the camera become ironic?

Answering these questions will give you your answer. I hope that this was helpful!