Was Lewis Carroll on Drugs When He Wrote Alice in Wonderland?

There has been much speculation and debate over the years about whether Lewis Carroll was on drugs when he wrote the iconic Alice in Wonderland. This question often arises due to the surreal and fantastical elements that populate the world of Alice, which has led some to wonder if Carroll was inspired by substances to achieve such imaginative depths. However, the reality is far more grounded in Carroll's personal experiences and interests.

No Definitive Evidence

There is no definitive evidence that supports the notion that Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was on drugs while writing Alice in Wonderland. Carroll was well-known for his unique blend of imagination, mathematics, and a deep fascination with logic and the absurd. His work is often seen as a reflection of his love for childhood whimsy and the playful nature of Victorian literature.

Inspiration From Real Life

Carroll's inspiration for the story came from real-life experiences. He was a prominent figure in the academic and literary circles of Victorian England, and he was fascinated by the playfulness of language, mathematics, and logic. His experiences in tutoring young girls, particularly the Liddell sisters, were instrumental in shaping the narrative of Alice in Wonderland. The book was not a mere escape into drugs, but a testament to Carroll's deep understanding of the human mind and imagination.

Strange Interpretations:
Nope. Lewis Carroll was dating Alice’s older sister at the time and their parents sent Alice along on their walks to keep an eye on them. Lewis Carroll entertained the two sisters by making up funny parodies of Alice’s favorite story books and nursery rhymes. It sounds crazy to us because we generally don’t know the original source material. Imagine watching "Meet the Spartans" without any concept of the movie "300."

Physical and Medical Context

While the idea that Carroll was on hallucinogens may seem plausible, it is important to consider the historical and medical context of his time. At the time he wrote Alice in Wonderland, no hallucinogenic drugs like LSD were available. Carroll himself did take laudanum, a mixture of alcohol and opium, for his migraine headaches. However, this was a commonly prescribed remedy for the time and was even given to children. It would only have had a sedative effect and would not likely have inspired the fantastical and surreal imagery seen in the book.

Scientific and Historical Context:
No hallucinogens would have been available to him at that place and time and LSD would not be invented for a hundred years. He did take laudanum a mixture of alcohol and opium for migraine headaches but this now-illegal drug was given even to children and would only have had a sedative effect. Ironically the migraines themselves might have inspired some of his weirder visions rather than the medicine.

Victorian Context and Cultural Misinterpretations

The Victorian era was a time of strict social norms, but also a time of rich creativity and intellectual inquiry. The combination of Carroll's interests, his experiences with children, and the intellectual climate of the time created a fertile ground for his imaginative writing. The surreal and fantastical elements in Alice in Wonderland were not a result of drug-induced inspiration, but rather a reflection of Carroll's deep engagement with the world of logic, mathematics, and the human psyche.

Conclusion:
No. He was British and Victorian a combination whose effects are commonly mistaken with drug abuse.

Let us celebrate Carroll's genius and the enduring legacy of Alice in Wonderland as a reflection of his unique vision and the rich cultural context in which he lived and wrote.