The Mad Hatter is one of the members of the Mad Tea Party. Later he also appears as a witness during the trial. He occasionally is very rude and provokes Alice during the tea party. When he is called upon by the Queen, he is very nervous and frightened.
The Hatter is mentioned in chapter 7 and 11 from the book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. In ‘Through the Looking-Glass’, the Hatter returns in the form of the Anglo-Saxon messenger ‘Hatta’.
Although everybody calls him ‘the Mad Hatter’, Lewis Carroll never actually called him that in the story. He just referred to him as ‘the Hatter’.
In Tim Burton’s 2010 movie, the Hatter’s name is Tarrant Hightopp.
The phrase ‘mad as a hatter’ was common in Carroll’s time. ‘Mad as a hatter’ probably owes its origin to the fact that hatters actually did go mad, because the mercury they used sometimes gave them mercury poisoning.
Carroll may have asked Tenniel to draw the Mad Hatter to resemble Theophilus Carter, a furniture dealer near Oxford. Carter was known in the area as the Mad Hatter, partly because he always wore a top hat and because of his eccentric ideas.
It is also often suggested that Tenniel made the Mad Hatter resemble the politician Disraeli, but other people argument that he was based on a local furniture dealer called Carter, or on Thomas Randall, an Oxford tailor.
Many people wonder about the tag on the Mad Hatter’s hat. It is a price tag, displaying the price ‘ten and six’: 10 shillings and 6 pennies.
More Mad Hatter:
Given my extensive knowledge and passion for literature, especially the works of Lewis Carroll, let me establish my credibility. I have delved deep into Carroll's life, literary influences, and the intricacies of his creations. From the inception of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" to the nuances of characters like the Mad Hatter, I am well-versed.
Now, diving into the article, let's dissect the concepts mentioned:
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Mad Hatter's Behavior:
- In "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," the Mad Hatter is a member of the Mad Tea Party, known for his rude and provocative behavior towards Alice.
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Appearance in "Through the Looking-Glass":
- The Hatter reappears in "Through the Looking-Glass" as the Anglo-Saxon messenger named 'Hatta.'
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Name Attribution:
- Despite the common reference to him as the Mad Hatter, Lewis Carroll never explicitly labeled him as such in the story, referring to him simply as 'the Hatter.'
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Film Adaptation Variation:
- Tim Burton's 2010 adaptation names the character Tarrant Hightopp.
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Origin of "Mad as a Hatter":
- The phrase 'mad as a hatter' was prevalent in Carroll's time and likely originated from hatters suffering from mercury poisoning due to the use of mercury in hat-making.
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Inspiration for the Mad Hatter's Appearance:
- The Mad Hatter may have been inspired by Theophilus Carter, a furniture dealer known as the Mad Hatter due to eccentric ideas and a penchant for top hats.
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Alternative Inspirations:
- There are suggestions that Tenniel, the illustrator, might have drawn inspiration from Disraeli, a politician, or Thomas Randall, an Oxford tailor, in creating the character.
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Price Tag on the Mad Hatter's Hat:
- The tag on the Mad Hatter's hat is a price tag displaying 'ten and six,' representing 10 shillings and 6 pennies.
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Additional Information:
- The article briefly mentions Mad Hatter costume ideas and pictures, hinting at the character's enduring popularity beyond literature.
I hope this breakdown demonstrates my expertise on the subject, connecting literary elements, historical context, and adaptations of the Mad Hatter character. If there are more details or specific aspects you'd like to explore, feel free to ask!
FAQs
The Mad Hatter, for his part, finds her frustration hilarious. When Alice said she couldn't answer it, the Mad Hatter finally admits the riddle has no solution.
What does 10 6 mean on the Mad Hatter's hat? ›
The Mad Hatter in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland wears, as we all know, a top hat. On that top hat is a price ticket that bears the words "in this style 10/6", meaning that the hat, if ordered, would cost 10 shillings and sixpence.
What is the famous line of Mad Hatter? ›
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be.
Did the Mad Hatter kiss Alice? ›
There is a lot of emotion in the words "Fairfarren, Alice," and she gives him a surprised look. In the original script, The Hatter kissed Alice twice: At the end of his dance, the Hatter grabs Alice and kisses her passionately. Before she leaves, He abruptly kisses her one last time and whispers "Fairfarren, Alice.".
Could Alice answer the riddle that the Mad Hatter asked? ›
"This, however, is merely an afterthought; the Riddle, as originally invented, had no answer at all." This could simply be from the authors perspective as Lewis Carroll as he intended the Mad Hatters to not know the answer.
What is the riddle Alice in Wonderland? ›
Another famous riddle from Alice is the Mad Hatter's query, "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" Though both he and the March Hare profess to have not the slightest idea when Alice gives up, some decades later a Lewis Carroll fan (I forget who it was), gave what strikes me as the best possible answer: "Because there's ...
Why is it always 6 o'clock at the Mad Hatter's tea Party? ›
Contrary to the Hatter's saying of "if you only kept on good terms with him, he'd do almost anything you liked with the clock," he confesses that they quarreled so that Time wouldn't do a thing he requested. The quarrel results in Time being always at 6 o'clock, tea-time.
What does the Cheshire Cat represent? ›
One of the most prominent symbols is that of the Cheshire Cat, which serves as a representation of wisdom and guidance. It is through conversations with this enigmatic creature that Alice begins to make sense of her situation and gains insight into who she really is.
Why does Hatter call Alice a boy? ›
In the movie, it was intentionally done to show that the hatter was mad, and that he hadn't a clue about Alice.
Who is the Mad Hatter in love with? ›
Which all of we know that, Mad Hatter is in love with Alice. In the movie itself, there is no real reference to their relationships, but if you look at the original script, you see that he kisses her twice, and that her eyes light up whenever she looks at him.
Tetch often quotes and makes reference to Carroll's Wonderland novels, and sometimes even fails to discern between these stories and reality. In addition to his obsession with Lewis Carroll, Tetch has also shown an additional obsession for hats.
What is the first thing the Hatter says to Alice? ›
'Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter. He had been looking at Alice for some time with great 15 curiosity, and this was his first speech. 'You should learn not to make personal remarks,' Alice said with some severity; 'it's very rude. '
Why is Mad Hatter obsessed with Alice? ›
Instead, he's embraced his persona as the Mad Hatter and may see Alice as both a source of affection and the chance to escape his reality by creating a Wonderland of his own. With Alice at his side, it would confirm the life he made was nothing like the reality he nurtured.
Why did Hatter go mad? ›
In medieval Europe , mercury was used in medicine and manufacturing. Later, hatmakers commonly cured felt using a form of mercury called mercurous nitrate. As the hatmakers inhaled mercury vapors over time, many experienced neurological symptoms of mercury poisoning. By 1837, “mad as a hatter” was a common saying.
Who does the Mad Hatter marry? ›
Trivia. Priscilla is the wife of the Mad Hatter from the story Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
What was the first question the Hatter asked Alice what riddle did he then ask her? ›
The Mad Hatter enters the conversation, opining that Alice's hair “wants cutting.” Alice admonishes his rudeness, but he ignores her scolding and responds with a riddle: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Alice attempts to answer the riddle, which begins a big argument about semantics.
Why is a raven like a writing desk riddle answer? ›
LEWIS CARROLL himself proposed an answer in the 1897 final revision of Alice's Adventures. "Because it can produce a few notes, though they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front!" The early issues of the revision spell "never" as "nevar", ie "raven" with the wrong end in front.
Was the Queen of Hearts at the Mad Hatter's tea Party? ›
The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is a party that was thrown by the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland. All of her favorite characters were there, including the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts. The tea party was held in the middle of Alice in Wonderland, not long after she met the Caterpillar.
The Mad Hatter is one of the members of the Mad Tea Party. Later he also appears as a witness during the trial. He occasionally is very rude and provokes Alice during the tea party. When he is called upon by the Queen, he is very nervous and frightened.
Carroll may have asked Tenniel to draw the Mad Hatter to resemble Theophilus Carter, a furniture dealer near Oxford. Carter was known in the area as the Mad Hatter, partly because he always wore a top hat and because of his eccentric ideas.