Introducing Downal Wyth Bluddy Clichés!

[manniness]

So what kind of crazy-mad-wonderful idea has Manny gotten herself browbeaten by now?

Well, I'm glad you asked!

I had the thought (a while back) that I would try to prompt, promote, and populate the Alice in Wonderland universe with interesting, thoughtful stories by providing prompts that deal with (directly or indirectly) common clichés in the fandom.

For more information on exactly what Downal Wyth Bluddy Clichés is, check out the general information page HERE.

This week, the cliché I would like to address is...

Mally is jealous of Alice because Mally is in love with the Hatter.

Yes, yes, I know this was hinted at quite strongly in the original screenplay by Linda Woolverton (which can be found by searching the database HERE) but I rather like stories that provide alternate interpretations for Mally's less-than-friendly welcome of Alice to Underland.

So, if you know of a story or if this prompt inspires you to write a fic/doodle a fanart/compose a fanvid/compile a fanmix/etc. that provides an alternate explanation for Mally's sometimes-blatant rudeness towards Alice in Tim Burton's film, please share!

I'll start us off with a recommendation of my own.

To post either a recommendation or your own prompt-inspired work, please comment below, including the following information (if applicable):

Title: I think this is pretty self-explanatory.
Author/Artist/Creator Name: Please use this if you are posting for someone else or recommending someone else's story!
Media: Fic / Art / Fanmix / etc.
Worksafe:  Yes / No
Rating: K / K+ / T / M / M+
Warnings:  Violence, Sex, Non-consensual Sex, and other Objectionable material
File size:  1,000 words / 2 MB / etc.
Summary/Notes:  Tell us a little more about your contribution or recommendation!
Link to story: Or link to the author's homepage
Comments: Why are you recommending this to others?  Or your general impressions of it are fine, too.

Again, you do not need to include all of these, but the more information the better!  (^__~)b

More recommendations and contributions may be posted HERE at the alice_tarrant community.

EDIT: Discussion is also welcome!  (Not just fan works.)  (^__^)

Comments

[just-a-dram.livejournal.com]

I've been influenced by the above mentioned script, and so I tend to "think" of her as having some kind of affection for Tarrant that might verge on love. Hence the attitude.

But I've only blatantly written her as having a crush on him in one playlist drabble, which was set pre Alice's return. Otherwise I attempt to make it seem more as if she is a friend who is concerned for the feelings of Tarrant (worried Alice won't be a safe steward of his heart) and a bit jealous that her #1 position has been usurped. It's open to interpretation hopefully.

That said, that I do that has nothing to do with avoiding the cliche. Instead, I find the whole thing is a little awkward for me if I would write it or develop it as an issue between them. What is he supposed to say to her: you're a mouse? I can't imagine that doing wonders for their friendship.

So, I suppose, I wonder if the manner in which other people deal with this cliche is affected by the cross-species issue.

[manniness.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you on the "You're a mouse" point! (In fact, I did read just that in a fanfic by DariaSilver (http://www.fanfiction.net/~DariaSilver). Mally professes her love and Tarrant is just like, "WTF? She's a mouse! How did she think a relationship between us would work?" Even Underland has it's limits.

But, yes, the cross-species issue. I guess OPK dealt with this quite a lot. Magical creatures were drawn to each other (Chessur and Krystoval) but even then it was an asexual relationship. The lions and unicorns and such walked upright as people. I guess being on the same "level" (so to speak) as "humans" made it possible for me to write Mirana's marriage with Dale and such.

I did feel badly about not pairing Mally with anyone in OPK, but every time I tried to go near her private life, I gat pointy haitpins waved at me... rather vigorously.

I also agree with you on the whole "Mally is angry because she's been Tarrant's #1 for ages and now here comes some not-Hardly-Alice and...!"

It seems clear in the film that Mally doesn't trust Alice to look after the Hatter. And, honestly, that's one of the few things I don't like about the Alice of the film. Alice is rather careless in her "this is all a dream" state of mind. Mally's the one who sticks with the Hatter through thick and thin. In my opinion, pre-Frabjous-Day-Alice isn't capable of handling the Hatter's heart kindly. An impossible quest? No problem. Insight into a man's heart? Not a chance.

And, diverging slightly from the topic, I think she's too rough with Hamish when she returns. The poor guy looks so crushed and emasculated by her public refusal. True, I'd be angry, too, if someone popped the question so publically like that to me, but Hamish is only doing what is expected. It isn't a conspiacy against Alice personally. I don't know if any of that makes sense, but I rather like that character flaw of Alice's. She is very not perfect; a bit self-centered and inconsiderate. So I think Mally is quite right to be protective of the Hatter. Really, we're the same way with our friends in RL, yes?

[just-a-dram.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes. And more Yes.

Alice is flawed, and that's what makes her interesting. I too think she's careless and at that point rather incapable at having 'insight into a man's heart'.

Ohhh and don't get me started on her treatment of Hamish at the end. What I find odd is I think we were meant to cheer at that moment, and it just made me think she hadn't really grown up, because treating people gently is very important, I think.

Ahem.

But yes. Mally. Is a Mouse. :) I'm going to have to check out DariaSilver.

[manniness.livejournal.com]

The fic by Daria Silver is "Alice Returns", I think, and it is hella long. It just popped into my head as one fic that uses unrequited romantic love (Mally's for the Hatter) as a plot point.

Unfortunately, it took me some time to clue in to why I wasn't thrilled with the garden scene at the end of the movie. Poor Hamish. Everyone else Alice can tell off with my blessing, but really. Hamish didn't deserve that even if he was a bit of a brat on the dance floor at the beginning. (As a side note, I think you'll quite like Hamish in my Scifi BB story. I answer your questions about his continuous marriage proposals to Alice.) (^__~)

P.S. Thanks for suffering through the typos in my previous message. I feel shame now. Shame...

[just-a-dram.livejournal.com]

I'm excited to see what it is Hamish has been up to in your world! :)

[manniness.livejournal.com]

The good news is, the writer's blockage that had me hung up on Part 3 has finally let me wrestle it aside... the bad news is, I'm not sure when I'll actually have time to write more. Grr. But, my goal is to send this to you for beta-ing on or before Friday the 13th. (^__~)

[just-a-dram.livejournal.com]

That's cool!