Through the Looking Glass/The Beatles

At the beginning of this new year I set myself some goals to achieve my this time next year, some call them resolutions, but I think the right word should be 'achievables'. I believe that most people do not reach their targets as they are either relying on others to make these changes for them or their targets are too far ahead of what is manageable. 

One of my 'achievables' is to read more books in particular classics such as Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights, Persuasion & Little women and many others. Reasons for doing such a thing include improving my writing skills, deepening my knowledge of the world, increasing my ability to dream and inspire by stretching my creativity.  (Another advantage that helped in my process was the promotion of free full version classics on ibooks, who could say no to such a chance to enhance my intelligence for free). 

(A few of my downloaded books in my library)

I began with a child's classic story 'Through the Looking-Glass' by Lewis Carroll, one of my favourite childhood movies and one of the most inspiring stories in my mind. It is the sequel to 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll and has so many reasons to why it has touched so many people. Whilst reading my mind was cast to think about The Beatles 'Magical Mystery Tour' and other work they produced with clear links and references to characters in the books. In particular the songs 'Glass Onion' and 'I am the walrus' both written by John Lennon. I added a link to a youtube video showcasing the newly remastered trailer of The Beatles produced film in one of my past posts - Music. In an interview with John Lennon he also states of how the chapter 'Wool and Water ' inspired him whilst writing 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds'.

Similarities and connections I found involved the appearance of characters such as the Walrus which features heavily in the lyrics of 'I am the Walrus' and "Glass Onion' by The Beatles and their film the 'Magical mystery tour'. In 'Through the Looking-Glass' the characters the Walrus and the Carpenter were featured characters in a poem (also written by Lewis Carroll) which was told to Alice by Tweedledum and Tweedledee. 'The Eggman' in the song 'I am the Walrus' seems to refer to Humpty Dumpty in the book from the clear description. 

The Beatles - I am the walrus tour and Paul McCartney as the walrus above and below a still from the movie Alice Through the Looking-Glass illustrating the poem featuring the Walrus and the Carpenter.

Below are stills from the movie again but dipicting Alice meeting Humpty Dumpty sat on a very high wall.

Below is John Lennon dressed as 'The Eggman'.

The chapter 'Wool and Water' inspired John Lennon in writing 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' below are stills from the movie - Alice Through the Looking-Glass, this is also how the story begins to  introducing Humpty Dumpty. 

Other similarities, I think are prominent, include a scene set on top of a hill with an underlying atmosphere of confusion. The Beatles use a layering tool so the image is not clear to illustrate this, Paul McCartney is filmed spinning round in circles which also works to create a bewildering feeling. In the book Alice is trying to reach the top of the hill that she can see in the distance, for a better view of the whole garden, however every path she takes she ends up back where she started by its sudden twists. 

This still (below) from the movie shows the underlying plot and direction of the story as a game of chess. 

 From reading the book, listening to The Beatles songs and watching both films I, myself seem to be able to find all kinds of links that seem to connect them all together. The overall feel of the material I have delved into is very hallucinative and dream like, it is clear how much John Lennon was inspired by Lewis Carroll's books and poems and I can see why. You can watch the full film in a series of videos on youtube here.

 I hope to carry on sharing my experiences throughout my pursue of reading.

NAP x