Why Dickens Matters, Part 2

Welcome to Celebrate Creativity Episode 419 Why Does Dickens Matter,  Part 2

We begin this podcast episode with a few more excerpt by Dickens that showcase his masterful description of the common person.

1. The Hard-Working, Overwhelmed Clerk (from A Christmas Carol)
Here's Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's clerk, illustrates the quiet dignity and hardship of the working poor:

"The clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal; but he couldn't replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and if the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of strong imagination, he failed.

But he was a happy family-man, Bob Cratchit, and a good one; and though he earned but fifteen ‘bob’ a week, and a hard struggle it was to keep his five children (for Tiny Tim was a fifth) on that, yet he was content, and had a smile for every one of them."

What it shows: Empathy for the Daily Struggle: Dickens immediately draws sympathy for Bob through the stark contrast of his meager fire with Scrooge's control over the coal. This highlights the power imbalance and the quiet suffering of the employee.

Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

Transcript

Welcome to Celebrate Creativity Episode 419 Why Does Dickens Matter,  Part 2

We begin this podcast episode with a few more excerpt by Dickens that showcase his masterful description of the common person.

1. The Hard-Working, Overwhelmed Clerk (from A Christmas Carol)
Here's Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's clerk, illustrates the quiet dignity and hardship of the working poor:

"The clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal; but he couldn't replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and if the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of strong imagination, he failed.

But he was a happy family-man, Bob Cratchit, and a good one; and though he earned but fifteen ‘bob’ a week, and a hard struggle it was to keep his five children (for Tiny Tim was a fifth) on that, yet he was content, and had a smile for every one of them."

What it shows: Empathy for the Daily Struggle: Dickens immediately draws sympathy for Bob through the stark contrast of his meager fire with Scrooge's control over the coal. This highlights the power imbalance and the quiet suffering of the employee.

Focus on Small Details: The "white comforter" and trying to warm himself "at the candle" paint a vivid picture of his struggle without needing grand pronouncements. These are the details of a common man's everyday existence.

Inner Character Revealed Through Circumstance: Despite his poverty and Scrooge's tyranny, Bob is described as a "happy family-man" and "content." This shows Dickens's ability to portray the dignity and resilience of ordinary people, even in difficult circumstances. He elevates their simple virtues.

2. The Humble, Hardened Sailor (from Dombey and Son)
Here's Captain Edward Cuttle, a kind-hearted but somewhat gruff old sailor:

"The Captain was a military-looking man, rather short and broad in the chest, and wore a blue coat, with a stiff little black ribbon, in place of a neckerchief, about his throat: a kind of nautical stock. He had a natural gruffness of voice, and a natural good-humour of face, which, in a rough way, rather set off each other. His right hand was a large one; his left a hook. He was generally believed to have lost his arm in the sea service. His face was weather-beaten, with a hard, square chin, and a mouth that, when he was not smoking, seemed to be perpetually at the ready for whistling. His legs were a little bowed, as if from long standing on rolling decks, and he walked with a slight roll, as if his feet still sought the motion of a ship."
What it shows:

Occupation-Specific Detail: Dickens integrates details that speak to the character's profession – the "nautical stock," the "weather-beaten" face, the "bowed" legs, and the "slight roll" in his walk. These aren't just generic traits; they speak to a life at sea.

Blending Physical and Personality Traits: The "natural gruffness of voice" combined with a "natural good-humour of face" shows Dickens's ability to create complex, believable characters even with simple descriptions. They aren't one-dimensional.
The Mark of Experience: The lost arm and the "hard, square chin" suggest a life of hardship and resilience, common to many working-class individuals of the era. Dickens respects and highlights the marks of their life experiences.

3. The Simple, Patient Labourer (from Great Expectations)
Here's Joe Gargery, the blacksmith, through the eyes of young Pip:

"Joe was a fair man, with curls of flaxen hair on each side of his smooth face, and with kindly eyes that twinkled good-humouredly. He was a blacksmith in the forge; and his arms were bare, and covered with soot. He was always in a hot and greasy glow, and seemed to have a kind of sooty light about him, as if he were a good genius. He was a remarkably easy-going, good-tempered, and large-hearted man. He was, in short, a amiable giant, with a childlike nature; and his strong hands, that could bend iron, were always ready to do a good turn. He had a way of always looking at me with a pained interest, as if I had been a newly-invented torture."

What it shows:

Idealized but Grounded Portrayal: Joe is depicted as an almost angelic figure ("good genius," "amiable giant"), but his description is grounded in the reality of his work ("soot," "hot and greasy glow," "strong hands, that could bend iron"). This blend of the ideal and the real makes him relatable and memorable.

Inner Goodness through Physicality: His "kindly eyes that twinkled good-humouredly" and his "large-hearted" nature are conveyed through his physical presence and the warmth he exudes. Dickens often uses the outward appearance to hint at the inner moral compass of his characters.

The Dignity of Labour: Joe's physical strength and his role as a blacksmith are presented with a quiet dignity, emphasizing the value and essential nature of manual labor. Dickens often champions the inherent worth of common working people.

My personal favorite is Dicken’s description of an older gentleman in Dombey and Son -  “With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life.

It's used to describe the wrinkles on the face of an older gentleman, one of the most beloved and kind-hearted characters in the novel. Dickens uses this phrase to convey the warmth, experience, and inherent goodness of the individual, suggesting that his wrinkles are not merely signs of age, but a testament to a life lived with integrity and kindness.

These excerpts demonstrate how Dickens used precise, evocative language, often blending physical description with subtle hints of character and social context, to bring the diverse array of common people in Victorian England vividly to life.    Then I asked -

In terms of success, was Dickens the most popular literary figure of the 19th century?

Yes, Charles Dickens was arguably the most popular and successful literary figure of the 19th century, particularly in the English-speaking world. His popularity during his lifetime was unprecedented and almost unparalleled.

Here's why:

Massive Readership: Dickens's novels, largely published in serialized form (weekly or monthly installments), were eagerly awaited and consumed by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of readers across all social classes. His periodicals, like Household Words and All the Year Round, reached huge audiences.

"Pop Culture" Phenomenon: His works were the "blockbusters" and "soap operas" of their time. People discussed the latest installments, debated plot points, and eagerly anticipated the next cliffhanger. He created a shared cultural experience.

Celebrity Status: Dickens was one of the world's first true literary celebrities. When he toured, especially in America, he was met with fervor akin to modern rock stars. People would flock to his public readings, and there are even reports of women fainting during his dramatic performances.

Influence on Social Reform: His vivid portrayals of social injustice (workhouses, poverty, legal system failures, child labor) resonated deeply with the public and actively contributed to social reforms in Victorian England. This practical impact cemented his importance and popularity.

Enduring Appeal: Unlike some other highly popular authors of his time whose fame has waned, Dickens's works have remained continuously in print and widely adapted into films, TV shows, and plays. A Christmas Carol alone is a testament to his lasting cultural impact.

Master of Storytelling: His ability to blend humor, pathos, social commentary, memorable characters, and engaging plots ensured broad appeal. He deliberately crafted his novels to be entertaining and emotionally resonant for a wide audience.

While other authors like Sir Walter Scott (earlier in the century) and later figures like George Eliot, William Makepeace Thackeray, and the Brontë sisters were highly respected and successful, none reached the same stratospheric level of widespread, almost fanatical, public adoration and readership during their lifetime as Charles Dickens. He truly defined literary success for the Victorian era.

Could you describe his reading tour of the United States?

Charles Dickens undertook two significant reading tours of the United States: the first in 1842 and a much more extensive and financially successful one in 1867-1868. Both tours showcased his immense popularity but also revealed the complexities of his relationship with America.

The First Tour (1842)
Arrival and Initial Reception: Dickens, only 29 years old and already a literary sensation with works like The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist under his belt, arrived in Boston in January 1842 with his wife, Catherine. He was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, greeted like a conquering hero. Crowds cheered him, and he was feted by luminaries and common citizens alike.

Purpose: Beyond meeting his adoring public, a primary motivation for this tour was to advocate for international copyright law. At the time, American publishers were freely reprinting his works without paying royalties, which Dickens found deeply frustrating.

Travel and Observations: Dickens traveled widely on the East Coast, visiting cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and as far west as St. Louis. He observed American society with a keen, often critical, eye, visiting prisons, mental institutions, and factories. He was particularly impressed by institutions like the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, where he met Laura Bridgman.

Growing Disillusionment: Despite the initial fanfare, Dickens grew increasingly disillusioned with certain aspects of American life. He was appalled by the institution of slavery, the widespread habit of spitting, the unsanitary conditions in some cities, and especially the aggressive and often intrusive nature of the American press. His persistent advocacy for copyright also rubbed many American publishers and citizens the wrong way.

"American Notes": Upon his return to England, Dickens published American Notes for General Circulation (1842), a travelogue that detailed his observations. While it praised some aspects, its criticisms, particularly of slavery and the press, caused considerable offense in the United States, leading to a temporary decline in his popularity there. He even subtly satirized American society in his later novel, Martin Chuzzlewit.

The Second Tour (1867-1868)

Motivation: Despite the mixed reception of American Notes, Dickens was persuaded to return to the U.S. in 1867. By this time, his personal life was complicated (he had separated from his wife), and he had significant financial obligations. The prospect of enormous earnings from a reading tour was a powerful incentive. He had also perfected his dramatic public readings in Britain, turning them into highly anticipated theatrical events.

The "Performance": This tour was explicitly focused on his public readings. Dickens didn't just read; he performed. He had meticulously marked up his "prompt-copies" with cues for voice, gesture, and expression, essentially becoming the characters he read aloud. He performed excerpts from beloved novels like A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, and the "Trial from Pickwick," often reducing audiences to laughter and tears, and sometimes, according to reports, even causing fainting during intense scenes like Nancy's murder in Oliver Twist.

Unprecedented Success: The second tour was an unqualified triumph. Americans, eager to see the celebrated author, stood in long lines for tickets, which sold out almost instantly. He toured extensively, giving an average of four performances a week in major cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. He was again treated like a superstar, though this time he tried to limit his social engagements to preserve his health.

Toll on Health: The demanding schedule, the harsh American winter weather, and the sheer exhaustion of performing nightly took a severe toll on Dickens's already fragile health. He often suffered from what he called "American catarrh" (influenza) and had significant pain in his feet, sometimes requiring assistance to reach the reading desk.

Reconciliation and Legacy: Despite the physical cost, the tour was a massive financial success, earning him a fortune. More importantly, it largely mended the relationship between Dickens and his American public. He left America with renewed adoration, and the tour solidified his legendary status as not just a writer, but a compelling performer who brought his literary creations to vibrant life. He departed for England in April 1868, just two years before his death.

In essence, Dickens's American reading tours were a remarkable demonstration of his global celebrity and the power of his storytelling. They were also a fascinating chapter in Anglo-American cultural exchange, revealing both mutual admiration and lingering tensions.

Who is Laura Bridgeman?

Laura Bridgman (1829 – 1889) was the first deaf-blind American child to gain a significant education in the English language, predating the more famous Helen Keller by several decades.

She lost her sight, hearing, and nearly her sense of smell and taste at the age of two after contracting scarlet fever. At the age of seven, she entered the Perkins Institution for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts. Under the guidance of Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, the school's director, she learned to read and communicate using a manual alphabet and embossed letters.
Laura Bridgman gained considerable celebrity status in her youth, particularly after Charles Dickens visited the Perkins School for the Blind in 1842 and wrote about her accomplishments in his book American Notes. Dickens was deeply impressed by her ability to communicate and learn despite her profound sensory losses. Her story became widely known and offered hope and inspiration regarding the education of individuals with deaf-blindness.

She spent most of her adult life at the Perkins Institution, continuing to read, write letters, and engage in needlework. Her pioneering education paved the way for future advancements in teaching deaf-blind individuals, notably influencing the methods later used to teach Helen Keller.

There is a fairly Little known passage from Dickens Book about America where he describes the Indian burial mounds at moundsville. Would you have that passage?

Yes, Charles Dickens did describe the Grave Creek Mound (now in Moundsville, West Virginia) in his book American Notes. He visited the area in 1842.

Here is the passage you are likely referring to, from Chapter X of American Notes:

"There are few places where the Ohio sparkles more brightly than in the Big Grave Creek. The very river, as though it shared one's feelings of compassion for the extinct tribes who lived so pleasantly here, in their blessed ignorance of white existence, hundreds of years ago, steals out of its way to ripple near this mound. Through such a scene as this, the unwieldy machine takes its hoarse, sullen way: venting, at every revolution of the paddles, a loud high-pressure blast; enough, one would think, to waken up the host of Indians who lie buried in a great mound yonder: so old, that mighty oaks and other forest trees have struck their roots into its.”

Thank you very much. Could you comment on the popularity of his reading tours?

Charles Dickens's public reading tours were an absolute phenomenon, reaching a level of popularity that is hard to fully grasp today, essentially making him one of the world's first global literary superstars.

Tickets for his readings, especially on his second American tour (1867-1868), sold out almost instantly. People would queue for hours, sometimes overnight, in all kinds of weather, just for the chance to see him. Scalping was rampant, with tickets changing hands for exorbitant sums. This level of demand was unheard of for a literary figure.

A "Performance" Rather Than Just a Reading: Dickens didn't merely read his novels; he performed them. He was a natural actor with a profound theatrical sensibility, honed through years of amateur dramatics. He had special "prompt-copies" of his books filled with annotations for vocal inflections, gestures, and facial expressions. He would embody each character, shifting voices, postures, and emotions with incredible skill, effectively bringing an entire cast of his creations to life on stage. Critics and audience members alike were spellbound. His readings were designed to elicit strong emotional responses. Audiences would reportedly burst into laughter, gasp, weep openly, and even faint during the more intense or harrowing passages, such as the murder of Nancy from Oliver Twist. This visceral connection fostered an incredibly devoted following.

Financial Triumph: The tours were immensely lucrative. The 1867-1868 American tour alone earned him around £20,000 (a staggering sum at the time, equivalent to millions today). This income was a significant portion of his total estate at his death, highlighting just how financially successful these ventures were. He literally made more money from performing his works than from writing them in his later years.

Accessibility to a Wider Audience: While many of his readers were educated, his readings also reached those who might not have been able to afford or read his serialized novels. People, including the illiterate poor, would sometimes pool their money to send someone to a reading, or gather around a reader who would recount the performance. This oral tradition played a significant role in his widespread fame.

Celebrity Status: Dickens was treated like royalty wherever he went. In America, especially during his second tour, he was mobbed by admirers, reporters, and socialites. He had to limit social engagements significantly to preserve his energy for the grueling performance schedule. He was a global sensation in an era before mass media in the way we understand it today.

In summary, Dickens's reading tours were not just popular; they were a cultural phenomenon that cemented his legendary status and demonstrated a unique fusion of literary genius with unparalleled showmanship. They allowed millions to experience his stories in a deeply personal and unforgettable way, directly from the master storyteller himself.

Join celebrate creativity for episode 419, why does Dickens matter part three for a final discussion with Gemini - for now - regarding Charles Dickens.

Sources include Gemini AI, as well as Bleak House, Dombey and son, The Pickwick Papers, Oliver twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, and Hard Times by Charles Dickens.