Duchess

The Duchess is a character featured in Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. While Carroll provides little physical detail, Alice finds her to be quite unattractive and ugly. The character is noted for her short stature and an uncomfortably sharp chin, which she rests on Alice’s shoulder.

The Duchess’s hideous appearance and short height have been strongly established in the popular imagination, largely due to the illustrations created by John Tenniel. Within the context of the story, it is clear that Alice does not enjoy being in close proximity to her.