Essay 1 – Brighid Burgin

Dreadfully tired, I gave up reading TIME Magazine’s analysis of the presidential candidates, when suddenly a White Rabbit with a chestnut waistcoat scampered by.

There was nothing VERY astonishing in that, but I did think it VERY strange to hear the Rabbit murmur, “Oh dear! I shall be late!” and actually TAKE A WATCH OUT OF ITS POCKET, look at it, and then hurry on.  Leaping to my feet with curiosity, I fortunately, had just enough time to see the Rabbit dive down an enormous hole.

Hurriedly, I hopped down the curious entrance.

Utterly baffled by the outlandish landscape underground, I wandered aimlessly, soon encountering a mischievous pussy-cat with nonsensical pink and purple attire.

“Cheshire Puss,” I began, “Can you tell me, please, which direction I ought to go from here?”

“Well, that all depends, my dear,” the Cat replied, “On where you want to go.”

“I don’t care which direction, if you please, so long as I find my way.”

“Oh, my dear, you’ll eventually do that…You’re quite mad, you know, choosing your direction without knowing your destination,” the roguish Cat accused.  “It’s much like jumping down a rabbit hole without reason, or supporting a presidential candidate without identifying your opinions.”

And with that, the Cheshire Puss disappeared, dragging along the rest of Wonderland.  Only the Cat’s devilish smile remained.

“Well, I’ve often seen a cat without a grin, but I’ve never seen a grin without a cat!” I exclaimed.  “As a matter of fact, I’ve often supported a presidential candidate without identifying my opinions, but I’ve never identified by opinions without supporting a presidential candidate!  I suppose the devilish Pussy Cat was right, I shan’t ever vote properly without first realizing my opinions for myself!  Perhaps if the Cat and his disembodied smile were placed in the White House, People might learn the importance of matching a candidate to one’s opinions, and not the other way around.  Indeed, I shall vote for this rakish Cheshire Puss, not to mention his captivating smile!”