Matrix Essay

            In the movie The Matrix, there are many historical and cultural references to books, films, mythology and history that are used in the film to develop the characters and convey the film’s message across to the audience.  The allusion I chose to discuss, which clarifies the theme of the movie was the animated Disney film Alice in Wonderland and Lewis Carroll’s original book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  The protagonist of the film, Neo, shares many similarities with the adventures that Alice experienced, but in completely different ways and about 200 years in the future.  Furthermore, Alice’s experiences and struggles have been read, watched and understood by millions of people, making it a great reference to portray Neo’s struggle and the film’s theme of reality vs. the Matrix.
    

One connection of Alice in Wonderland and The Matrix is that in the beginning of the story each of them are offered a choice.  They can decide their fate and they are well aware of this privilege.  However, they both had something brave in them and went into the unknown.  With Neo, Morpheus takes him into a room and prepares him for the worst.  He reminds him that there is no turning back now and says, “I imagine that right now, you’re feeling a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole.”Morpheus uses that reference to try to relate to Neo at this difficult time.  When trying to explain the Matrix he offers him two different pills.  First, Morpheus offers Neo the blue pill and says, “You take the blue pill, the story ends you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.”  Then he continues, “Or you take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”