In Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, there is a scene involving a lock and key where the size seems mismatched. This highlights the whimsical and nonsensical nature of Wonderland, where normal rules and logic don't always apply. The quote suggests that sometimes objects might not fit because of their proportions, emphasizing the fantastical and unpredictable world Alice encounters.

"Either the locks were too large, or the key was too small"

reflects the playful and absurd tone of the story. It illustrates how things in Wonderland often defy expectations, contributing to the charming, surreal atmosphere of the book. This phrase encapsulates the theme of peculiarities and the bizarre logic that pervades Alice's adventures.