
In Lewis Carroll's *Through the Looking-Glass*, the Queen tells Alice: When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. This phrase has inspired an exercise in creativity, where students are encouraged to embrace the impossible in imaginative breakfast scenes. In the exercise, students are asked to brainstorm a list of 50 impossible things and incorporate them into their scenes. The phrase has also been used to reflect on entrepreneurship and the evaluation of ideas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of impossible things | Six |
| Source | Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass |
| Speaker | The Queen |
| Context | Encouraging Alice to practice believing in impossible things |
| Exercise | Brainstorming and acting out scenes with impossible things |
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What You'll Learn

The quote originates from Lewis Carroll's *Through the Looking-Glass*
The quote, "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast," is attributed to the Queen in Lewis Carroll's *Through the Looking-Glass*. The full passage reads:
> "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
In the passage, Alice is speaking with the Queen, who encourages her to embrace a more imaginative mindset. The Queen suggests that believing in impossible things is a matter of practice, implying that with enough practice, anyone can believe in the seemingly impossible.
This quote has become a well-known expression of creativity and imagination, often used to inspire people to think outside the box and challenge their own limitations. It has been referenced in various forms of media, including the 2010 film *Alice in Wonderland*, where Alice mentions counting six impossible things before breakfast.
The idea of believing in six impossible things has also been adapted into educational exercises, encouraging students to explore their creativity by creating scenes where the impossible becomes mundane. These exercises, inspired by *Alice in Wonderland*, prompt students to reflect on the nature of impossibility and how it can be perceived differently.
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The Mad Hatter approves of Alice's belief in impossible things
The Mad Hatter heartily approves of Alice's belief in impossible things. In the 2010 film adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, Alice mentions several times that she believes in six impossible things, a notion her father also subscribed to. Alice's list of impossibilities includes the existence of a place called Wonderland, talking animals, and the possibility of slaying the Jabberwocky. When she shares these thoughts with the Mad Hatter on Frabjous Day, he commends her, viewing her belief as an excellent practice.
This exchange aligns with a quote from Lewis Carroll's original work, where the Queen says, "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." This dialogue underscores the value placed on embracing the impossible and suspending disbelief.
The Mad Hatter's endorsement of Alice's belief in impossible things reflects a broader theme in the story—the celebration of imagination, creativity, and thinking beyond the confines of what is conventionally accepted as possible. Alice's willingness to entertain the improbable adds to the whimsical and fantastical nature of her adventures in Wonderland.
Furthermore, the Mad Hatter's approval underscores the idea that believing in the impossible can be empowering. By suspending disbelief, one can embark on new paths, embrace challenges, and approach problems with a sense of ingenuity. Alice's belief in the six impossible things fuels her courage and determination throughout her journey, enabling her to face formidable foes like the Jabberwocky.
In conclusion, the Mad Hatter's approval of Alice's belief in impossible things is not just a whimsical exchange but carries a deeper message about the power of imagination and the importance of challenging conventional notions of possibility. It serves as a reminder that embracing the seemingly impossible can lead to extraordinary experiences and achievements.
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Alice's father also believed in impossible things
In the 2010 film adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, Alice counts six impossible things while fighting the Jabberwocky:
- There's a potion that can make you shrink.
- And a cake that can make you grow.
- Animals can talk.
- Cats can disappear.
- There is a place called Wonderland.
- I can slay the Jabberwocky.
Alice's ability to believe in the impossible is further encouraged by the Queen, who tells her:
> "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
The Queen's words suggest that believing in the impossible is a skill that can be cultivated through practice, and that it is a valuable ability to possess, perhaps even essential for personal growth and creativity. Alice's father's belief in impossible things, passed down to his daughter, becomes a central theme in her adventures, shaping her experiences in Wonderland and her interactions with its inhabitants.
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Believing in the impossible can encourage creativity
The notion of believing in the impossible has been popularised by Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland", where the Queen says to Alice, "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast". This idea has been explored in various creative endeavours, including a movie and plays, where students are encouraged to brainstorm and create scenes that incorporate impossible things as part of everyday life. This exercise helps to develop creativity and a suspension of disbelief, which is an essential aspect of creativity.
Believing in the impossible can be a powerful catalyst for creativity as it encourages individuals to embrace the unknown and explore possibilities beyond the realm of conventional thinking. By suspending disbelief, we open ourselves to new ideas and perspectives, challenging the status quo and seeking innovative solutions. This mindset shift can lead to groundbreaking discoveries, inventions, and artistic creations.
In the context of entrepreneurship, for example, believing in the impossible can inspire the creation of entirely new industries or business models. Take the example of Airbnb. When it was first conceived, the idea of strangers paying to stay in each other's homes seemed far-fetched and impossible. However, by embracing the impossible, the founders of Airbnb revolutionised the travel and hospitality industry, creating a successful global business.
Similarly, in the realm of science and technology, believing in the impossible has led to some of the most significant advancements. Consider the theory of relativity, which challenged classical physics, or the invention of the internet, which connected the world in ways previously unimaginable. These breakthroughs were made possible by individuals who dared to believe in the impossible and dedicated themselves to turning their visions into reality.
In our personal lives, believing in the impossible can also have profound effects. It can inspire us to pursue dreams that others may deem unrealistic, whether it's starting a business, becoming an artist, or exploring uncharted territories. By cultivating a mindset that embraces the impossible, we can unlock our full creative potential and discover new paths to personal growth and fulfilment.
In conclusion, believing in the impossible is not just a whimsical idea from a beloved children's story. It is a powerful mindset that encourages creativity, innovation, and the exploration of new possibilities. Whether in entrepreneurship, science, art, or our personal endeavours, embracing the impossible can lead to groundbreaking discoveries, transformative creations, and a more fulfilling life.
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The quote has been used to reflect on entrepreneurial ventures
The quote "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast" is from Lewis Carroll's *Through the Looking-Glass*. The quote has been used to reflect on entrepreneurial ventures and the creative process. For instance, in a personal essay by Anne K. Halsall, she writes about how she left her job to work on her startup, Winnie. She draws on the quote to discuss the importance of intentionality in her entrepreneurial practice and her desire to understand the mindsets of people who build something from nothing. Halsall's interpretation of the quote encourages individuals to embrace uncertainty and approach seemingly impossible ideas constructively, by asking what needs to be done to understand if they are possible.
In a similar vein, the quote has been used as a creative exercise inspired by *Alice in Wonderland*, where students are encouraged to create scenes in which they embrace the impossible in imaginative breakfast scenes. This exercise prompts students to reflect on the nature of the impossible and how it can be integrated into their everyday world. They are invited to brainstorm a list of impossible things and subsequently incorporate them into their scenes, treating the impossible as a part of their everyday lives.
The quote also appears in the 2010 film adaptation of *Alice in Wonderland*, where Alice mentions that her father believed in six impossible things. The six impossible things that Alice counts in the film include the existence of a shrinking potion, a cake that makes one grow, talking animals, disappearing cats, a place called Wonderland, and her ability to slay the Jabberwocky.
Overall, the quote serves as a reminder to suspend disbelief and embrace uncertainty, which can be applied to both creative endeavours and entrepreneurial ventures. It encourages individuals to approach challenges with an open mind and to consider the potential for growth and innovation beyond what is traditionally considered possible.
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