The White Rabbit Character Analysis in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

The White Rabbit is the first creature Alice sees, anxiously running into the rabbit hole in order to not be late. He is a very distinguished rabbit, with a large house and a gardener and always wearing gloves, a waistcoat and a pocket watch, but he is always in a hurry. His fear of the Queen of Hearts while at the croquet tournament makes him a little rude and short with Alice.

The White Rabbit Character Timeline in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

The timeline below shows where the character The White Rabbit appears in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...her sister, who is reading what Alice thinks is a very dull book, when suddenly a white rabbit appears and says “Oh dear! I shall be late!” For a moment, the rabbit doesn’t... (full context)

Words, Meaning and Meaninglessness Theme Icon

The Nature of Being and Not Being Theme Icon

...straight away, not at all hurt, and sees another long passage before her, along which the white rabbit is hurrying, muttering again about being terribly late. (full context)

...the hall until she is standing in a pool of her own tears. Just then the white rabbit appears and scampers through the hall, beautifully dressed in a pair of white gloves. The... (full context)

...and fans herself with them – it has become very warm in the hall. The Rabbit runs off and hides. Alice starts talking to herself again, trying to solve the puzzle... (full context)

Alice realizes that she is now wearing one of the white rabbit ’s gloves. She is shrinking again. It must be the fan she’s carrying, she thinks,... (full context)

It is instead the White Rabbit, looking for his fan and gloves. He is very worried about being late, thinking the... (full context)

...the pros and cons of never growing older, until she is interrupted by the White Rabbit impatient for his gloves. She hears the little feet pattering up the stairs and then... (full context)

The White Rabbit suggests burning the house down, but Alice threatens to set Dinah on him. Then the... (full context)

...Next comes a slew of royal guests, with the Knave of Hearts and the White Rabbit and, lastly, the King and Queen of Hearts follow. (full context)

...to play croquet and takes her along with the procession. Alice walks beside the White Rabbit and asks him if he has seen the Duchess. The Rabbit swiftly shushes Alice –... (full context)

As the Rabbit starts to explain the strange series of events, he is interrupted by the Queen ordering... (full context)

The King finally calls the White Rabbit to start the proceedings. The Rabbit unravels a scroll and reads the accusation that the... (full context)

...pot and has the whole court sneezing. She refuses to give evidence, and the White Rabbit tells the King that he must cross-examine her. So reluctantly, the King asks the cook... (full context)

...nothing. The King thinks this is very important and the jurors scribble frantically. The White Rabbit intercedes, commenting that the King actually means “unimportant.” The King agrees, muttering the words “important”... (full context)

But the White Rabbit has further evidence to show, in the form of a letter, which he takes to... (full context)

...they must first read the verses to see what they are about. So the White Rabbit reads the verses. They seem to be entirely unrelated to the case, but the King... (full context)