Alice’s journey through Wonderland is famously devoid of romance, which is exactly what makes her "romantic" storylines in modern adaptations so fascinating—and polarizing.

Characters like the Caterpillar or even a humanized Cheshire Cat act as seductive, manipulative figures.

Alice’s core strength is her independence . She is a girl (or woman) solving puzzles and facing monsters using logic and wit.

When a romantic interest is introduced, the story often shifts from Alice’s internal growth to a "rescue" mission, which some feel dilutes Carroll’s original subversion of Victorian expectations for women.

In Lewis Carroll’s original 1865 text, Alice is a seven-year-old child. Her "relationships" are purely transactional, confusing, or adversarial as she navigates the nonsensical rules of adulthood. However, as the character has aged up in film, games, and literature, creators have used her as a canvas for various romantic tropes. 1. The "Knight in Shining Armor" (Alice & The Hatter)

Many fans argue that giving Alice a boyfriend ruins the point of her character.

2. The Dark Obsession (Alice & The Caterpillar/Various Villains)

In darker adaptations, like the American McGee’s Alice game series or various "dark fantasy" retellings, romance is often twisted into obsession or psychological control.