--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was a table set out under a tree in…" description: "\"“There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b29/lewis-carroll-324_quote_there-was-a-table-set-out-under-a-tree-i_1861078.jpg" --- # There was a table set out under a tree in front of the… ![“There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head. 'Very uncomfortable for the…” quote by Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b29/lewis-carroll-324_quote_there-was-a-table-set-out-under-a-tree-i_1861078.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b29/lewis-carroll-324_quote_there-was-a-table-set-out-under-a-tree-i_1861078.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b29/lewis-carroll-324_quote_there-was-a-table-set-out-under-a-tree-i_1861078.jpg) > ““There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head. 'Very uncomfortable for the Dormouse,' thought Alice; 'only, as it's asleep, I suppose it doesn't mind.' The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it: 'No room! No room!' they cried out when they saw Alice coming. 'There's plenty of room!' said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table. 'Have some wine,' the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. 'I don't see any wine,' she remarked. 'There isn't any,' said the March Hare. 'Then it wasn't very civil of you to offer it,' said Alice angrily. 'It wasn't very civil of you to sit down without being invited,' said the March Hare. 'I didn't know it was your table,' said Alice; 'it's laid for a great many more than three.' 'Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter. He had been looking at Alice for some time with great curiosity, and this was his first speech. 'You should learn not to make personal remarks,' Alice said with some severity; 'it's very rude.' The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this; but all he said was, 'Why is a raven like a writing-desk?' 'Come, we shall have some fun now!' thought Alice. 'I'm glad they've begun asking riddles.--I believe I can guess that,' she added aloud. 'Do you mean that you think you can find out the answer to it?' said the March Hare. 'Exactly so,' said Alice. 'Then you should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on. 'I do,' Alice hastily replied; 'at least--at least I mean what I say--that's the same thing, you know.' 'Not the same thing a bit!' said”” [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Alice observes chaotic tea party etiquette, highlighting absurdity, miscommunication, and social expectations in a whimsical setting. **In simple terms:** A strange tea party shows how people ignore rules and make nonsense. Key Takeaway Question norms and seek clarity in confusing situations. Themes absurdity communication social norms Mood playful curious critical Type literary dialogue humorous When to use this quote - social gatherings - classroom discussions - team meetings - online forums - family dinners Key Concepts nonsense etiquette misunderstanding Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when invited to a confusing or absurd situation? - What does this reveal about polite conversation? A Different Perspective The humor may downplay real discomfort caused by exclusion or mockery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) [March Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/march-hare/) ## Related quotes > [Cheshire Cat: If I were looking for a white rabbit, I'd ask the Mad Hatter. Alice: The Mad Hatter? Oh, no no no... Cheshire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/cheshire-cat-if-i-were-looking-for-a-white-rabbit-i-d-ask-the-mad/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Mad Hatter: Would you like a little more tea? Alice: Well, I haven't had any yet, so I can't very well take more. March…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/mad-hatter-would-you-like-a-little-more-tea-alice-well-i-haven-t-had/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this; but all he said was, "Why is a raven like a writing-desk?" "Come, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/the-hatter-opened-his-eyes-very-wide-on-hearing-this-but-all-he-said/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/take-some-more-tea-the-march-hare-said-to-alice-very-earnestly-i-ve-2/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“Come, we shall have some fun now!” thought Alice. “I’m glad they’ve begun asking riddles,—I believe I can guess that,” she added aloud. “Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/come-we-shall-have-some-fun-now-thought-alice-i-m-glad-they-ve-begun/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > ['Have some wine,' the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked around the table, but there was nothing on it but tea.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/have-some-wine-the-march-hare-said-in-an-encouraging-tone-alice/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Then you should say what you mean," the March Hare went on. "I do," Alice hastily replied; "at least--at least I mean what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/then-you-should-say-what-you-mean-the-march-hare-went-on-i-do-alice/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“Cheshire Puss,' she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/cheshire-puss-she-began-rather-timidly-as-she-did-not-at-all-know/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“You might just as well say,” added the March Hare, “that ‘I like what I get’ is the same thing as ‘I get what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-might-just-as-well-say-added-the-march-hare-that-i-like-what-i/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Alice tried another question. "What sort of people live about here?" "In THAT direction," the Cat said, waving its right paw round, "lives a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/alice-tried-another-question-what-sort-of-people-live-about-here-in/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/take-some-more-tea-the-march-hare-said-to-alice-very-earnestly-i-ve/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“Do you mean that you think you can find out the answer to it?" said the March Hare. "Exactly so," said Alice. "Then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carrol/do-you-mean-that-you-think-you-can-find-out-the-answer-to-it-said-the/) lewis carrol > [“What sort of people live about here?” “In that direction,” the cat said waving its right paw around, “lives a Hatter; and in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-goodman/what-sort-of-people-live-about-here-in-that-direction-the-cat-said/) Craig Goodman > [I was never any good in the school theatrical productions. I always got a role like the March Hare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-bisset/i-was-never-any-good-in-the-school-theatrical-productions-i-always/) [Jacqueline Bisset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-bisset/) > [We came in the wind of the carnival. A wind of change, or promises. The merry wind, the magical wind, making March hares of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-harris/we-came-in-the-wind-of-the-carnival-a-wind-of-change-or-promises-the/) [Joanne Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-harris/) ## More by Lewis Carroll > [You're thinking about something, my dear, and that makes you forget to talk. I can't tell you just now what the moral of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-re-thinking-about-something-my-dear-and-that-makes-you-forget-to/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“I'm afraid I can't explain myself, sir. Because I am not myself, you see?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-m-afraid-i-can-t-explain-myself-sir-because-i-am-not-myself-you-see/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [My beloved friend - one of the most unique and charming personalities of our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/my-beloved-friend-one-of-the-most-unique-and-charming-personalities/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Either it brings tears to their eyes, or else -" "Or else what?" said Alice, for the Knight had made a sudden pause. "Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/either-it-brings-tears-to-their-eyes-or-else-or-else-what-said-alice/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“We may give our human loves the unconditional allegiance which we owe only to God. Then they become gods: then they become demons. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/we-may-give-our-human-loves-the-unconditional-allegiance-which-we-owe/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [In the midst of the word he was trying to say In the midst of his laughter and glee, He had softly and suddenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/in-the-midst-of-the-word-he-was-trying-to-say-in-the-midst-of-his/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“But it must be borne in mind that, if there is a Scylla before me, there is also a Charybdis - and that, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/but-it-must-be-borne-in-mind-that-if-there-is-a-scylla-before-me/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright--…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/the-sun-was-shining-on-the-sea-shining-with-all-his-might-he-did-his/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“In vain we roared;in vain we tried To rouse her into laughter: Her pensive glances wandered wide From orchestra to rafter - "TIER UPON…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/in-vain-we-roared-in-vain-we-tried-to-rouse-her-into-laughter-her/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [For the snark was a boojum, you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/for-the-snark-was-a-boojum-you-see/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Thanks for your nice little note, though I am sorry to hear you find Through the Looking Glass so uninteresting. You see I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/thanks-for-your-nice-little-note-though-i-am-sorry-to-hear-you-find/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [You shouldn't make jokes if it makes you so unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-shouldn-t-make-jokes-if-it-makes-you-so-unhappy/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [We haven't any and you're too young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/we-haven-t-any-and-you-re-too-young/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Everything is funny, if you can laugh at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/everything-is-funny-if-you-can-laugh-at-it/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [I wish I hadn't cried so much!” said Alice, as she swam about, trying to find her way out. I shall be punished for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-wish-i-hadn-t-cried-so-much-said-alice-as-she-swam-about-trying-to/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) [Explore all 644 Lewis Carroll quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) ## More Great man quotes > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [Football is a team sport. I'm proud of what I achieved in my career, but I also know that I wouldn't have achieved any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schmeichel/football-is-a-team-sport-i-m-proud-of-what-i-achieved-in-my-career/) [Peter Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schmeichel/) > [My father was a really great man. I'll never forget the last thing he ever said to me. Nor will I ever repeat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-hall/my-father-was-a-really-great-man-i-ll-never-forget-the-last-thing-he/) [John S. Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-hall/) > [To vilify a great man is the readiest way in which a little man can himself attain greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/to-vilify-a-great-man-is-the-readiest-way-in-which-a-little-man-can/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [There are a great many colored people who are ashamed of the cake-walk, but I think they ought to be proud of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-weldon-johnson/there-are-a-great-many-colored-people-who-are-ashamed-of-the-cake/) [James Weldon Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-weldon-johnson/) > [“The effects of the division of labour, in the general business of society, will be more easily understood by considering in what manner it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/the-effects-of-the-division-of-labour-in-the-general-business-of/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [Greatness by nature includes a power, but not a will to power. ... 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Seems logical there’d be a great many things in it we can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvain-neuvel/we-re-not-the-greatest-thing-in-the-universe-certainly-not-the/) [Sylvain Neuvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvain-neuvel/) > [All I am in private life is a literary critic and historian, that's my job...And I'm prepared to say on that basis if anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-i-am-in-private-life-is-a-literary-critic-and-historian-that-s-my/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) [Browse all 1,429 Great man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head. 'Very uncomfortable for the Dormouse,' thought Alice; 'only, as it's asleep, I suppose it doesn't mind.' The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it: 'No room! No room!' they cried out when they saw Alice coming. 'There's plenty of room!' said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table. 'Have some wine,' the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. 'I don't see any wine,' she remarked. 'There isn't any,' said the March Hare. 'Then it wasn't very civil of you to offer it,' said Alice angrily. 'It wasn't very civil of you to sit down without being invited,' said the March Hare. 'I didn't know it was your table,' said Alice; 'it's laid for a great many more than three.' 'Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter. He had been looking at Alice for some time with great curiosity, and this was his first speech. 'You should learn not to make personal remarks,' Alice said with some severity; 'it's very rude.' The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this; but all he said was, 'Why is a raven like a writing-desk?' 'Come, we shall have some fun now!' thought Alice. 'I'm glad they've begun asking riddles.--I believe I can guess that,' she added aloud. 'Do you mean that you think you can find out the answer to it?' said the March Hare. 'Exactly so,' said Alice. 'Then you should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on. 'I do,' Alice hastily replied; 'at least--at least I mean what I say--that's the same thing, you know.' 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