Samantha > Recent Status Updates

- 96% decline in the taíno population of Hispaniola every 8 in 10 pg 15
- Hatuey who chose hell over Spanish heaven pg 17
encomienda systems pg 18
- Requerimiento pg 19
- 95% decline in the Taíno population of Cuba pg 20
- Pigs were brought to Cuba by conquerors pg 22

Alice encounters the white queen, who explains how Wonderland works. They live backwards. They know about things before they happen, react, and then when said things happen they are already calm or over it. I think I’m understanding through the looking glass better now, maybe if I reread the whole book with this perspective I would gain a better or different understanding.

Honestly, I don’t have much to say. I keep reading this part of the book when I’m tired so per chance that’s the problem. However, I do think maybe this whole chess thing is to build the last pieces Alice’s character and put them to the test for her final adventure. I could just be making things up though and saying whatever, we shall see.

Alice awakens in her sister’s lap, recounting her journey. When Alice leaves her sister stays behind, thinking. She begins to dream, Alice in front of her, hearing the sounds of Wonderland, and seeing the creatures. However, her sister quickly comes back to reality, stating where the sounds actually come from. She thinks Alice will be a grown woman & still live in her dreams, sharing it with children to come.

I have finished Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Through the last couple of chapters things continue as they are with all the queerness, though Alice questions herself less and continues to be more outspoken about her beliefs and thoughts, even against the queen of hearts. Maybe this is a sign of confidence and Alice finding herself.

“Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.”

Alice meets the March Hare, Mad Hatter, & Dormouse. The three of them consistently ask or state things to Alice backwards. It confuses her along with the usual peculiar things that go on. I think this could be a lesson for Alice, that maybe she should approach things with a different perspective, from a different angle; or maybe not everything needs to make sense, you may just have to flow with it.

Alice continues her adventures & finds herself constantly shifting sizes & facing new problems cause of it. This messes with her as she continues to question her identity. It’s funny; she accepts Wonderland as it is, but has trouble accepting who she is. I believe she’s struggling to embrace her “unusual” self, as she transitions from a normie world to a queer one, cause she’s never been able to explore it.

I have read up to page 22; so far, it seems obvious Alice struggles with some mental illness and/or is neurodivergent. She enjoys taking on the role of two separate people when she berates herself, she questions herself & knowledge, and her emotions can switch rapidly. It’s as if her shape-shifting reflects that. It’s also clear that she does not fear wonderland/finds comfort because it’s as queer as her mind.