The Cheshire Cat 🔒 Members

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Age and build

The book is silent here, so we keep this plain and neutral.

Face and hair

perpetual grin

“The Cat only grinned when it saw Alice” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

very long claws and many teeth

“it had very long claws and a great many teeth” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

grin remains visible after body vanishes

“ending with the grin, which remained some time after the rest of it had gone” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

eyes and ears appear separately when materialising

“Alice waited till the eyes appeared, and then nodded. “It’s no use speaking to it,” she thought, “till its ears have come, or at least one of them” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 8)

Dress

The book is silent here, so we keep this plain and neutral.

Voice and speech

speaks in low voice

“How do you like the Queen?” said the Cat in a low voice” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 8)

speaks only when mouth is present

“How are you getting on?” said the Cat, as soon as there was mouth enough for it to speak with” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 8)

Signature words

addresses Alice as 'Cheshire Puss'

“Cheshire Puss,” she began, rather timidly” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

uses 'mad' repeatedly in philosophical argument

“we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

says 'it doesn't matter'

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

says 'you can't help that'

“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

says 'all right'

“All right,” said the Cat” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

Gait and mannerisms

waves paws to indicate directions

“In that direction,” the Cat said, waving its right paw round, “lives a Hatter: and in that direction,” waving the other paw, “lives a March Hare” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

vanishes and reappears mysteriously

“You’ll see me there,” said the Cat, and vanished” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

vanishes slowly, tail first

“this time it vanished quite slowly, beginning with the end of the tail, and ending with the grin” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

materialises gradually, grin first

“she made it out to be a grin, and she said to herself “It’s the Cheshire Cat” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 8)

Strengths

good-natured appearance

“It looked good-natured, she thought” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

commands respect through fearsome appearance

“she felt that it ought to be treated with respect” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

skilled in logical argument

“Well, then,” the Cat went on, “you see, a dog growls when it’s angry, and wags its tail when it’s pleased. Now I growl when I’m pleased, and wag my tail when I’m angry. Therefore I’m mad” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

Flaws

admits to being mad

“we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

refuses to be introduced to the King

“I’d rather not,” the Cat remarked” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 8)

Traits

philosophical and paradoxical

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

detached and observant

“By-the-bye, what became of the baby?” said the Cat. “I’d nearly forgotten to ask” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

playful and mischievous

“Did you say pig, or fig?” said the Cat” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

Lines in their own words

on direction and purpose

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

on logical proof of madness

“Now I growl when I’m pleased, and wag my tail when I’m angry. Therefore I’m mad” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 6)

on the Queen

“How do you like the Queen” (Alices Adventures In Wonderland, part 8)