Top Retellings of Classic Tales
Cam asked this question about Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass:
Can anyone tell me where they see the following quote: "She who saves a single soul, save the universe." ? It's listed as a popular quote from the books, often associated with the Cheshire Cat, and yet I have never read those words in the books...
Cam Goodreads community, I finally have an answer to this question. It has been bothering me for months and I am now posting it because it is a fairly int…moreGoodreads community, I finally have an answer to this question. It has been bothering me for months and I am now posting it because it is a fairly interesting answer. The credit goes to the Lewis Carroll Society of North America (LCSNA). I emailed them last week out of desperation as I was unable to find the answer anywhere else. If anyone else is an Alice fan, I seriously recommend that you check out their website (www.lewiscarroll.org) and consider joining. They were incredibly nice and helpful. Sandra Parker, the Secretary of the society emailed me back with this answer:

"This quote is most definitely not from either of the Alice books. I did a quick Google search, and layers down in the search results,found an attribution of this quote to American McGee's 2nd Alice game, Alice: the Madness Returns (http://www.ea.com/alice). I contacted American McGee to ask him if this quote is from his game, and he responded, "I believe this is a line spoken by the Cheshire Cat in Alice: Madness Returns." "

I first heard of the quote "She who saves a single soul, saves the universe" from a friend who knew I appreciated all things Alice. I was sure I had never read this sentence before, and another reading only convinced me that these words did not come from Lewis Carroll. However, quite a few sources online (including the same quote listed on Goodreads!!!) attributed this quote to the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. As is now made clear, these words ARE NOT from the Alice books! It is instead, from a game inspired by the Alice books. (less)
flag
More questions about Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass…
Image for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
by Lewis Carroll
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more