Microsoft Word final-current Developments at the Intersection of British Children-online-version doc

The Looking Glass Wars’ 
main character Alyss is the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, 
and therefore predestined to become Queen of Wonderland herself one day. In order to do so, 
she has to mature and to train her imagination. Her education, but also her duties and 
responsibilities are thus geared towards her future position. Having fled into the primary 
world exile, Alyss directs her enemies towards finding the way back into Wonderland and to 
overthrow her evil aunt. During her involuntary stay in reality, Alyss has to adapt to the 
unimaginative environment and behave in an inconspicuous way. On her return to 
Wonderland Alyss is no longer seven but twenty years of age and expected to lead her loyal 
supporters in battle against Redd and her minions. Like the other heroes, the girl is tormented 
by self-doubt and initial rejection of her new and expected role.
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It is only when she agrees 
to entering the Looking Glass Maze that she accepts her duties and responsibilities and 
actively contributes to the defeat of her aunt. Her willingness to sacrifice her own life for the 
benefit of her people is the formative experience that permits her to find her way back out. 
Having mastered the maze, symbolic of losing and finding your own way and identity in life, 
Alyss is ready for challenging Redd in a duel. Self-control and confidence contribute to her 
victory which is crowned with her ascendancy to the throne of Wonderland. Having learned 
her lesson of life and what it means to be responsible for the welfare of a people, Alyss now 
disposes of both experience and wisdom and can become Queen of Wonderland.
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Kevin Crossley-Holland. Arthur. King of the Middle March. London: Orion Children’s Books, 2003, p. 300.
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Kevin Crossley-Holland. Arthur. At the Crossing-Places. London: Orion Children’s Books, 2001, p. 191.
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Beddor, The Looking Glass Wars, p. 235. 

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With the quest, the respective fantasy hero takes up the challenge of maturation and 
coming of age. Above all, the transition from childhood to adulthood becomes especially 
apparent with the leaving of a relatively carefree period and the entering of a demanding, 
regulated and structured period. The assumption of duties, responsibilities and the rational 
dealing with conflicts indicate the fantasy hero’s progress on his way to maturity. Usually, the 
hero’s successful accomplishment of the quest symbolises his initiation and integration into 
society. On the one hand, he thus earns society’s respect and equanimity; on the other hand, 
his crisis of identity, the phase of transition and the often pronounced feeling of loss and 
insecurity are replaced by a newly gained strength, confidence and pride in the achievements. 
What is more, the hero has filled his life with a new meaning and obtained the feeling of 
having arrived at his destination. Thus, having to fend for oneself, taking on responsibility 
and – ideally – living up to expectations proves to be very beneficial to external character-
moulding and internal personality development.