In Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, the concept of tea time is famously represented by the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. They celebrate an eternal tea party that occurs at six o’clock. However, this time is more symbolic than literal, as it suggests a whimsical disregard for schedules and norms.
The phrase ‘the time has come’ or the consistent emphasis on their tea time serves to illustrate the absurdity and peculiarities of Wonderland. Since the characters are stuck in a constant tea time, this idea reflects the overall theme of confusion and the illogical structure of the world Alice finds herself in.
Contrary to traditional expectations of tea time, which might typically fall in the afternoon, the tea time in Wonderland is an invitation to embrace chaos and whimsy. It’s not so much about the exact hour but rather about the carefree spirit of the tea party and the social interactions among the characters.