Websites
https://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/resources/analysis/character-descriptions/cheshire-cat/
https://animationscreencaps.com/alice-in-wonderland-1951/
https://whycatsruletheworld.wordpress.com/2015/09/27/cats-and-the-moon/
https://www.whats-your-sign.com/cat-animal-symbolism.html (cat goddesses- Bast and Diana)
https://otherworldlyoracle.com/bastet-egyptian-cat-goddess/ (Bast-protector of children, this could be why Cheshire watched out for/guided Alice)
https://thebigdeer.com/cheshire-cat-symbolism/ (this one is important)
https://www.silencio.com/spirit
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/05/04/pentagram-rebrand-logos-battersea-dogs-cats-home/
https://www.dezeen.com/2020/11/04/eero-aarnio-originals-kisu-cat-ornament-dezeen-showroom/
Characteristics of the Cheshire Cat
- constantly grins
- disappear
- transparent
- stripes
- found in a tree
- cat of the Duchess
- reappear whenever he likes
- sometimes disappears and leaves its grin behind
- big green eyes
- “To grin like a Cheshire Cat” was a common phrase in Carroll’s day. This phrase may have originated from a sign painter in Cheshire, who painted grinning lions on the sign-boards of inns in the area. Another source may be the following: when you take a good look at the ‘Alice Window’ in Christ Church, Oxford, you can see 3 grinning animals at the top of the Liddell’s family arms. Perhaps this is what inspired Dodgson.
- mask
- moon
- Stoic, silent and mysterious
- supernatural
- the cat teaches us a lesson about being the value of being unique
- Has has a cruel sense of humor, as seen during Alice's meeting with the Queen of Hearts; during which, he constantly caused mishaps
- As a mathematician, Carroll would have been knowledgeable of what a “catenary” is, which is the curve of a horizontally-suspended chain. And looking at a catenary, it suggests the shape of a cat’s grin. So we now know how Carroll came up with the famous Cheshire Cat’s grin.
- The Alebrijes are spirit guides (similar to how cheshire cat is Alice's guide through Wonderland)
Research
What is his role/function in the story: He's the only character in Wonderland who actually listens to Alice and teaches her the rules of Wonderland. He also causes trouble for Alice throughout the movie, which moves the story along.
Deeper meaning or symbolism: The Cheshire Cat symbolizes all of Wonderland in its flawed logic. Cats are also symbols of magic, mystery, double meanings and contradictions: light and darkness; good and bad; inner and outer, etc. the Cheshire Cat is schizophrenic, as he disappears and reappears distorting reality around him and subsequently driving other characters in the story to madness.
What is an Alebrije?:The word Alebrije means “imaginary” or “fantasy,” describing a style of animal carvings with exceptional paint schemes. An alebrije is a sort of spirit animal, meant to guide you through your life. These animals are guides, protectors, and mischief makers. They keep us from danger while also urging us toward adventure, ensuring that we live lives filled with everyday magic.
Different names/spellings: Tim Burton’s 2010 movie, the Cheshire Cat’s name is ‘Chessur’. Carroll kept changing details in the story throughout this life, and in some editions of the story the name of the cat is spelled as ‘Cheshire-Cat’, not ‘Cheshire Cat’.