14 July 2009
Alice in Wonderland as a Global Brand
Elena Verling has written some interesting stuff about Alice as a global brand on her blog, here. I don't know if this is a thesis or a book she's planning, but I've sometimes thought that if Carroll had lived now, and taken a modern marketing approach to his creation, he could have been a millionaire. As it was, he invented a smart little "Alice" postage stamp case, and allowed an "Alice" biscuit tin to be made (and was rather disappointed it had no biscuits in) but other than this I haven't been able to trace any other "Alice" merchandising that he sanctioned.
Alice Liddell, after she grew up, was a bit snooty even about the success that he had had. I think that she probably viewed herself as a cut above him, and didn't like the idea that he might make money out of a story written for her. I've sometimes wondered if that was a class thing, since the Victorian class system did have some very unpleasant aspects. Trying to move out of your designated class often elicited angry responses, both from members of your own class and from members of the class you were trying to move into.
In the case of the Liddells, they seem to have been no higher class than Carroll, even though they had more money, so Alice's comment may have been mere ill temper. Or perhaps it was a general snootiness about anything that may have seemed like "trade" - that is, working for your money instead of inheriting it or marrying into it. Annoying thought, really. Ah well... on a better note, here's a nice picture taken from the window of Carroll's brother's vicarage in Vowchurch, Herefordshire, which is now a very charming b&b. It was taken just as dawn was breaking last March. If I could look at views like this all day I expect I'd be a calmer person
Alice Liddell, after she grew up, was a bit snooty even about the success that he had had. I think that she probably viewed herself as a cut above him, and didn't like the idea that he might make money out of a story written for her. I've sometimes wondered if that was a class thing, since the Victorian class system did have some very unpleasant aspects. Trying to move out of your designated class often elicited angry responses, both from members of your own class and from members of the class you were trying to move into.
In the case of the Liddells, they seem to have been no higher class than Carroll, even though they had more money, so Alice's comment may have been mere ill temper. Or perhaps it was a general snootiness about anything that may have seemed like "trade" - that is, working for your money instead of inheriting it or marrying into it. Annoying thought, really. Ah well... on a better note, here's a nice picture taken from the window of Carroll's brother's vicarage in Vowchurch, Herefordshire, which is now a very charming b&b. It was taken just as dawn was breaking last March. If I could look at views like this all day I expect I'd be a calmer person
Feed