Why did some early critics fail to appreciate Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?

When Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published in 1865, it baffled many contemporary critics who failed to appreciate the work.1

The primary reason for this initial lack of appreciation was the prevailing cultural expectation for children’s literature at the time. During the Victorian era, books written for children were generally intended to teach moral lessons or provide didactic instruction. In contrast, Lewis Carroll’s work was defined by its "nonsense" and its tendency to turn logic on its head, which did not align with the educational and moralistic standards expected of the genre.1

While critics were initially perplexed by the book's absurdity, Carroll’s unique approach—which appealed to a child's sense of the ridiculous—ultimately resonated with young readers. Over time, the book transcended these early critiques to become one of the most popular and celebrated works of English-language fiction.1