Oh, I
always pay attention to ROSEMARY's posts. I've enjoyed them so much. I'm expecting the same here.
JOANP, a footnote in the Preface indicates that it was written in Aug. 1853. I'm
guessing it was written for the publication of the book, after the final monthly installment.
The clincher for me, in the Preface, was the quote from a Chancery Judge,
who said
"There had been he admitted, a trivial blemish or so in its rate of progress,
but this was exaggerated, and had been entirely owing to the 'parsimony of the public'. Oh, my! I wonder in what manner the public was being parsimonious? Perhaps declining
to pay more lawyers more fees to do obscure things?
PEDLN, that side character seems to me a sketch of a type that can't be bothered to speak
distinctly; the idle, layabout aristocrat, who mumbles to show his utter indifference to all things.
I would think publishing the story in intallments would mean they were easily available
to the general public. I don't think 'society' would have been all that pleased with
his depiction of them.
Dickens does use exaggeration to convey his opinion of certain types. He doesn't seem
to care much for officious women. He much prefers those like Esther. As for Mr. Jellyby,
I can't help but think that if he had more backbone, his wife might have been less
dismissive of him and her role as housewife/mother.
JONATHAN, perhaps Dickens meant our favorite characters would have a happy ending. Or,
if we are contrary types, those
he approved of.
BELLAMARIE, perhaps he was setting the mood. Since he was about to introduce us to
Chancery, which goes on and on with nothing clear, chilling and discouraging. I think
you will find Dickens is very good at mood setting.
