Tiny Tim

Here's a thought to ponder....how would A Christmas Carol differ had there not been a Tiny Tim character? Would Scrooge have been able to come through his catharsis without the glaring image of depravation accompanied by infirmity in Tiny Tim? Was Scrooge truly only impressed by the goodness in this character BECAUSE of the physical hardships Tiny Time endured? Or, was it only that Scrooge's own sister was similar to Tim that allows Ebenezer to once again have feelings of compassion to another human being?
What are your thoughts?

An Intro to Dickens

With the recent release of yet another film creation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, it is hard to deny the influence of such a work of literature and an author upon society.
Dickens was born Charles John Huffam Dickens on 7 February 1812 to John and Elizabeth Dickens. His father was a clerk in the Naval Pay Office and found himself imprisoned a couple of times for debt. The first occurrence of this happening landed the whole family in prison, minus Charles who was sent to work in a blackening warehouse at age twelve. This experience would later lead to some of his creative works and characters and influenced his life throughout, especially as a theme of social reform permeated his works.
Dickens took the pen name of "Boz" and began publishing works. These writings were released serially through periodicals and led Dickens to the creation of such parts of his novels and stories with cliffhangers that helped him create more anticipation for his audience for the next edition. A series of books issued at Christmastime began in 1843. A Christmas Carol was the first of these Christmas books and was first published the 19th of December 1843. A fan, himself, of the gothic tradition, he wrote a Christmas story with key elements from a seemingly opposing genre.
In April of 1836, Dickens married Catherine Hogarth who would become the mother of their ten children. Dickens also continued to pursue the pen in providing for his family through his own writings, being editor of different papers, and eventually establishing a theater group. This theater group later led to the separation between Dickens and wife Catherine due to a love affair with an actress by the name of Ellen Ternan.
Dickens continued to find success in his career as a novelist throughout his life, even leaving an unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood at his death. He left the world in June of 1870 due to a stroke. Although he wished to be buried in a private manner without the pomp and circumstance of the famous, he was interred in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey.

Notes from Discussion

As a few of you were unable to attend our monthly meeting last night, I thought I would include some ideas we discussed.
First, Oscar Wilde is hilarious! The snappy comebacks and asides happening throughout the play reveal his wit and the reason for his popularity.
As close as a realism play and a comedy can come in similarity, there were many different ideas and themes found in both A Dolly's House and An Ideal Husband. One spouse losing the favor of the other, the love trysts that inevitably "save" the offending party, the blackmailers, as well as unreal and unfair expectations of character in the two marriages. Look for more details that are shared.
As for Tess, neither of the starring men are good guys. Both leave her ruined and unable to face society and family in any degree of honor or provision. There is a lot of symbolism throughout.

Apologies

I have been slacking in my posting of thoughts on this month's readings. I will post from notes after tomorrow's meeting.
Don't forget! Tomorrow night at Carol's. 7pm. Don't bring your blackmailer....which, ironically could have been the "theme" of this month's selections.

Tess and Trials

The world over, there continues to be issues revolving around the revolting incidences of rape and the way it deteriorates a woman's identity to herself as well as to those around her. Individuals such as Thomas Hardy who exposed such truths or doctors like Denis Mukwege who assist rape victims in the healing process are heroes on a battlefield that continues to be fought.
Tess, in all of her goodness, attempts to lead a good life contrary to the poor and slovenly natures exhibited by her parents. She becomes a pawn in their hands and is subjected to not only the embarrassment of "reconciling" two ends of an assumed family relation, but ultimately to the stigmas of a ruined woman.
As the novel continues, the reader is unable to escape from mourning for this young lady subjected to such trials and torments as beset her. No step in her life is easy. She fights for her existence on so many different levels yet no one is there to help her or lift her from her troubles. Even the one who should have been her guiding angel out of a life of scratching out a living and hiding a dark and loathsome past turns away from her and eventually leaves her to the wolf who thrust her into this position in the first place.
Thomas Hardy may have stirred up a nation as he depicted the rape of a woman and the ensuing complications of her life due to this deed, but he also brought to the forefront the dichotomy of sin in regards to both genders. While it was not only acceptable for a man to live a life of debauchery, he also could sire children without any repercussions. A woman, not so. Not only does her body become the bearer of the sin in obvious manners if a child is conceived, but her mind is forever marred by the occurrence. No relief is even possible for Tess as society and a man seeming to overcome social stigma rejects her because of an action she was subjected to and not an active participant.
Rape and abuse continues to pervade societies in every part of the world. Those who expose the wrongs of this are heroes to the afflicted.