Introduction: The Alice in Wonderland Connection
In our previous analysis, we explored how Wonderful Everyday: Down the Rabbit-Hole (Subarashiki Hibi) utilizes Wittgenstein’s philosophy to answer the ultimate question of human happiness. But the rabbit hole goes deeper. Today, we will look at another crucial layer of this masterpiece: its connection to Lewis Carroll’s Alice series, specifically the nonsense poem Jabberwocky.
At first glance, Carroll’s surreal wordplay and Wittgenstein’s rigid logic might seem worlds apart. However, Subarashiki Hibi brilliantly intertwines them to explain the very root of its psychological chaos. Let’s dive into how the illusion of language creates the madness we experience in the game.
The Confusion of Language (Wittgenstein’s Theory)
Double meanings and nonsense
In Alice in Wonderland, Alice often gets confused by homophones and double meanings—for example, mistaking a mouse’s “tale” (story) for its “tail.” Carroll used these linguistic tricks to create comedic chaos. Wittgenstein, however, saw this ambiguity of language as a serious flaw in human reasoning.
Philosophy as a language problem
Wittgenstein argued that many unsolvable philosophical problems arise simply because we misuse language. A single word can belong to entirely different symbols or contexts. When we fail to recognize these overlapping meanings, we create “nonsense.” In his view, traditional philosophy was full of these meaningless language traps, causing people to suffer over questions that shouldn’t even exist.
Multiple Personalities as “Double Meanings”
Here is where Wonderful Everyday reveals its genius. The game takes the concept of a “word with multiple meanings” and applies it to human existence itself.
Think about the core mystery of the game: Multiple personalities. Yuki, Takuji, and Tomosane all share the exact same physical body. Just as Alice was confused by a word having two meanings, the characters in the game—and we, the players—are thrown into utter chaos because one “body” possesses multiple entirely different “meanings” (personalities). This physical manifestation of “linguistic confusion” is the true source of the nightmare.
Slaying the Jabberwock: Takuji vs. Tomosane
Takuji’s meaningless chatter
In Carroll’s poem, the Jabberwock is a terrifying monster that speaks in incomprehensible, nonsensical words. In the game, this monster perfectly aligns with Takuji Mamiya. As he descends into madness, Takuji constantly delivers grandiose, cult-like speeches. His words sound profound, but they are ultimately empty delusions—a perfect representation of the Jabberwock’s meaningless chatter.
The Vorpal Sword of Truth
In the poem, the hero slays the Jabberwock using the “Vorpal Sword,” which is often interpreted as the sword of truth. In Subarashiki Hibi, Tomosane (and Yuki) takes on the role of this hero. Just as Wittgenstein famously declared that “whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent” to destroy meaningless philosophy, Tomosane rejects Takuji’s delusions. He cuts through the nonsense to bring an end to the madness.
Conclusion: Silence and the End of Delusion
The integration of Jabberwocky in Wonderful Everyday is not just a stylistic reference; it is the key to understanding the game’s conflict. It teaches us that madness often stems from the confusion of meanings and the illusion of words.
To slay our own inner Jabberwocks, we must recognize the limits of our language. Sometimes, the most powerful truth is not found in grand speeches or complex philosophies, but in the courage to remain silent and face reality as it is.
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