The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

This is the folder to discuss the third and final section of our tale. Please share your thoughts.

And Dickens delivers again. A red herring of the stranger, who quite expectedly turned out to be Bertha's long-lost brother, was a ploy or an author's subterfuge to explore darker motifs. As we know, and the story only beautifully illustrates it, the blinding jealousy can wreak havoc even in the most loving and tender heart. But luckily there are crickets and fairies who saved the day.

I really like the quiet pleasure of this story - it is very domicile-like and soothing. I suspect that this feeling has something to do with the chirping of the cricket and the cheer that no one can resist, even Tackleton. Again and again Dickens uses the frame of the Christmas tale to convert the miserly and mean character into a giving one. It is also interesting to notice that Tackleton throughout the tale is called Gruff and Tackleton; a name of the company is used to name a person. I am mentioning this fact to stress out again how modern Dickens and his messages are today, especially in reference to the aphorism of the modern discourse of the GOP, the party that insists that corporations are people. No, they are not, but vice versa, people as corporations, or to be more precise, representing corporations are faceless, mean, and ill-natured. But who can resist the cheer of the good company and the good dance?

P.S. On a side note, January, 2013 is on the horizon, and it means that I am going to post a new reading schedule either on Wednesday or on Thursday. It is time to enjoy the next big read,
. Yay!

Zulfiya wrote: "And Dickens delivers again. A red herring of the stranger, who quite expectedly turned out to be Bertha's long-lost brother, was a ploy or an author's subterfuge to explore darker motifs. As we kno..."

I read this chirp last night and was vindicated in my believe that the old man was a red herring. Really enjoyed the descriptions of the cricket spirit and the fairies. Yes jealous assumptions make poor bed fellows. Just shows you how much we need communication in our lives so we don't wander down useless paths. This was a perfect choice for this time of year - a quick, fun read yet full of wonderful writing and sentiments.

Very like The Holly Tree as it turns out. Interesting how the humble hero goes through a moment of rage, then being reminded by the cricket, he takes the responsibility for any problem in the marriage and even agrees to give up Dot. However, he never does think there might be another explanation for what he saw! I think in some other thread I brought up that, from Romeo and Juliet to modern sitcoms, so many stories turn on one character not giving another character all the information.

I don't think Tackleton's conversion is very convincing, unlike Scrooge who really undergoes a transformation. And Bertha is a bit too angelic, kind of like Little Nell. But overall it's a sweet story.

Zulfiya, interesting comment about how Tackleton is called 'Gruff and Tackleton' and identified more with his business than as an individual. This is similar to A Christmas Carol, in which Scrooge has never changed his business to remove Marley's name after his death, and answers to either name interchangeably. He also identifies himself solely by his business. In both cases, they learn better by the end of the story (although, as Robin says, Scrooge's conversion is more believable and profound).

I promised some discussion questions when we reached the end of the story. My book also has A Christmas Carol and The Chimes, and I find that most of the questions are about them, but this one appears to be about our story:

What lies are we justified in telling to those we love? Are we justified in telling any?

This one specifically mentions the other two stories, but I think it is equally applicable here:

Dickens' sentimentality has been defended in various ways. One is that if you want to move people to action, you have to arouse their emotions; logic and evidence are not enough, and to arouse emotions, you have to lay the sentimentality on thick. A counterargument is that sentimentality is a form of deception, of others or of oneself - that sentimentality actually veils the real power of a writer's argument. Which view do you agree with? Does embracing either affect your feeling about the stories in this volume? Do you think Dickens is really as cloyingly sentimental in A Christmas Carol or The Chimes as some modern readers accuse him of being?

Deborah wrote: "...Yes jealous assumptions make poor bed fellows. Just shows you how much we need communication in our lives so we don't wander down useless paths. ..."

Deborah, I fully agree with you how important communication is and I was a little surprised that Dot did not talk to her husband, as in the end there was at least from her side not much to hide.

To me this was also a sweet story about homely happiness, disturbance and somehow a happy ending and the fairy-tale like involvement of a cricket and the fairies.
As mentioned by others, I did not buy Tackleton's behavioral change completely either, but it was nice to see that he was not as grumpy and unfriendly, as he was in the beginning despite the loss of his bride.
Bertha seemed to me also a little angelic. I liked Robin's comparison of her with Nell. She was not even very much upset about the fact that they were poor and Mr. Tackleton was not that nice person as her fahter tried to make her believe.

However, I must admit that I liked "A Christmas Carol" much more.

Agreed-a sweet and happy story in which all ends well, and honesty once again is shown to be the best policy, true love endures and miserly old men come to see the error of their ways.

I do find that Dickens' characters are often too good to be true-his "good" characters are often flawless, never showing anger or self-interest or impatience, selflessly caring for their loved ones through all hardships and obstacles. Perhaps this was a bit of Victorian moralizing-a demonstration of how we should be, rather than how people really are. Still great novels though!

I loved the description of how they all paired off and danced at the end!

I also agree that Bertha did resemble Little Nell in her goodness, but I didn't really have the negative reaction to Bertha that I did to Little Nell. Maybe this was just because it was a short story, so there wasn't as much of it. Perhaps it was not so necessary for Caleb to make believe for Bertha; she turned out to be much stronger than he had given her credit for. I wonder if there is a message that just because someone has a disability, it does not mean that they are weak or need to be coddled.

I'm embarrassed to admit that this was only my second Dickens. It's weird because I have so many on my shelves but for some reason I've never read them. That is why I'm so excited about the Dicken's Project.

I really enjoyed The Cricket. I, too, thought it was a sweet story and I could just picture it all in my head due to his lovely descriptions.

I'm ready to start Chuzzlewit. Funnily, my husband picked up my copy and started reading it so I had to get another one.

I had a feeling that the "old man" wasn't all that he seemed as well.

Was happy to see that Dot was vindicated and that it was really Bertha's long lost brother.

I didn't think of Bertha as annoying as Nell. (Although I always feel bad when I think of Nell as annoying - she had such a hard life, and didn't deserve all that happened to her.) Tackelton treated Bertha well, she fell in love with him - not the first woman to be fooled by a man. ;)

But I thought his total turn around wasn't realistic along with all of you. But I didn't mind really - I like a happy ending. You never know with Dickens - sometimes he has happy endings, sometimes not.

Another than that, it was a perfect little tale.

I'm ready to start Cuzzlewit as well! Another Dickens that I've never read.

Denise wrote: "Zulfiya, interesting comment about how Tackleton is called 'Gruff and Tackleton' and identified more with his business than as an individual. This is similar to A Christmas Carol, in which Scrooge ..."

Denise, when it comes to sentimentality,I do have ambiguous feelings about it. Yes, Dickens is over-sentimental, yes, he uses one and the same trick over and over again, yes, it is a cheap trick, but there are some powerful 'buts' as well.

This sentimentality was a certain outlet for the prim and proper Victorians when and where they could express their emotions; I would call it a Victorian cathartic experience. Besides, Dickens has to make his living, and sentimental books always find their audience. Honestly, I cried and laughed when I read early Dickens novels, and that's their redeeming feature:-) I definitely think that his later novels are much better contructed plot-wise, and the characters are more fleshed out, but the tone also changes - it is somber, dark, pessimistic, and somewhat sinister.

An excellent question, though, Denise. It kept me thinking for about two days, and the answers were not easy. But I am afraid we will see less sentimentality in his other novels, so let's enjoy it while we can.

Cynthia wrote: "I'm embarrassed to admit that this was only my second Dickens. It's weird because I have so many on my shelves but for some reason I've never read them. That is why I'm so excited about the Dicke..."

Mea culpa! I know, I am late with the schedule, but I will post it later today or tomorrow:-)

I'm not sure that Tackleton treated Bertha well; I think that was another made-up story by her father. I got the impression that when Tackleton came to their home, he insulted them, and that her father would tell her that Tackleton was just joking.

Denise, I had the same impression of Tackleton. That's one of the reasons it reminded so much of "Life is beautiful".

Zulfiya wrote: "Denise wrote: "Zulfiya, interesting comment about how Tackleton is called 'Gruff and Tackleton' and identified more with his business than as an individual. This is similar to A Christmas Carol, in..."

I don't think Dickens is as sentimental as many of his critics claim. He certainly couldn't resist angelic orphans and a good death scene, but his novels -- especially his later novels -- are not really that mawkish at all. In fact, Dickens can be quite cynical.

One of the things I love about the Dickens project is by reading his works in order we will be to see his growth as a writer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Denise wrote: "I'm not sure that Tackleton treated Bertha well; I think that was another made-up story by her father. I got the impression that when Tackleton came to their home, he insulted them, and that her f..."

That's true...thanks for the correction. It was her father that created a kinder world for her.

Amanda wrote: "I don't think Dickens is as sentimental as many of his critics claim. He certainly couldn't resist angelic orphans and a good death scene, but his novels -- especially his later novels -- are not really that mawkish at all. In fact, Dickens can be quite cynical. "

I agree. And that's why I like Dickens. He tells it how it is. Points out societal flaws. Signs a spotlight on things that must change in order to have a more just society.