The literary world is alive today with the jollity of Charles Dickens' 200th birthday. For my own small part in the celebration, I've done this questionnaire from Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm .
How were you first introduced to Charles Dickens?
Well, it feels like I've always been aware of his existence. I think I first picked up A Tale of Two Cities at fourteen, but got distracted and didn't finish it. Blush Frankly, Dickens used to scare me. Maybe it was because of the myth that he was paid by the word, maybe it was because he seems more a caricaturist than Victorian female novelists. But when I actually got to reading Dickens I thoroughly enjoyed him. Still, I'm a neophyte.
Which Charles Dickens novels and stories have you read? Which are your favorites?
Only Bleak House and A Christmas Carol. They're both favorites. Although I focus more on BH in these questions, I adore the ebullience of A Christmas Carol .
Which Charles Dickens novel(s) do you most want to read?
I'm currently reading The Pickwick Papers (and loving it!) and have Great Expectations on order at the library. Some others that rank as high priorities are:
Little Dorrit
David Copperfield
The Old Curiosity Shop
Oliver Twist
A Tale of Two Cities
What are your favorite Charles Dickens quotes (up to three)?
Only two off the top of my head: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
And this next one is because of Jim Carter's sonorous reading in Cranford of a passage that is so utterly Dickensian. (Surprise!)
“In came a fiddler with a music-book, and went up to the lofty desk, and made an orchestra of it, and tuned like fifty stomach-aches. In came Mrs Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile. In came the three Miss Fezziwigs, beaming and lovable. In came the six young followers whose hearts they broke. In came all the young men and women employed in the business. In came the housemaid, with her cousin, the baker. In came the cook, with her brother’s particular friend, the milkman. In came the boy from over the way, who was suspected of not having board enough from his master; trying to hide himself behind the girl from next door but one, who was proved to have had her ears pulled by her mistress. In they all came, one after nother; some shyly, some boldly, some gracefully, some awkwardly, some pushing, some pulling; in they all came, anyhow and everyhow. Away they all went, twenty couple at once; hands half round and back again the other way; down the middle and up again; round and round in various stages of affectionate grouping; old top couple always turning up in the wrong place; new top couple starting off again, as soon as they got there; all top couples at last, and not a bottom one to help them...”
Who are your Top 3 favorite Dickens heroines? and why?
I've heard Dickens accused of not creating realistic female characters – either angels of the house or madwomen. I haven't read enough Dickens to express a definite opinion, but I guess I've only got two favorite heroines, both from Bleak House. Lady Dedlock, because she is not angelic and because she has become trapped and chained by circumstances; she's real and interesting. And her housekeeper, Mrs. Rouncewell, for her ordinary heroism and love for her “failed” son.
Who are your Top 3 favorite Dickens heroes? and why?
Ebenezer Scrooge, for what he becomes and all that jolly shouting out of windows on Christmas morning. Apparently Nabokov called John Jarndyce “the best and kindest man ever to appear in a novel” and I certainly liked him, though I find that declaration too full of superlatives. And speaking of superlatives, Boythorne is a welcome alternative to Skimpole.
Which three Dickens villains do you most love to hate?
While my blood pressure sky-rockets out of the stratosphere at the mere mention of his name, I rejoice at this opportunity to declare my eternal hatred for Harold Skimpole! Every time I think of hating literary characters, I'm reminded of my great desire to slowly skin Mr. Skimpole. Why? Maybe it's because I know people who have a touch of his cheerful, impractical inefecutalness. Maybe it's because under the unceasing innocence he's tirelessly selfish and hypocritical. Anyways, I feel like my hate for him more than amply fills the place of hate for three villains. (Though Mrs. Jellyby, with her concern for the natives of Borrioboola-Gha, deserves a mention too!)
(And wasn't Mr. Skimpole based on Leigh Hunt? I've always considered his famous poem “Abou Ben Adhem” too smooth.)
Which Dickens characters (up to three) do you find the most funny?
That's too hard to say, but I'm sure finding the explorers of the Pickwick Club delightful!
If you could authorize a new film adaptation of one of Dickens’s novels, which would it be and why?
N/A
If you could have lunch with Charles Dickens today, what question would you most like to ask him?
I wish I could think of something more profound, but right now it would be: Will you help me skin Mr. Skimpole?
Have you ever read a Dickens biography or watched a biographical film about him?
No, but I'm planning to read Claire Tomalin's Life soon – hopefully this month.
How many Dickens adaptations have you seen?
The most recent BBC Bleak House and Polanski's Oliver Twist.
Which Dickens adaptation is your favorite?
The BBC Bleak House had some ridiculous sound-effects, but the acting was good and I found it quite memorable.
Have you seen multiple versions of A Christmas Carol? Which version is your favorite?
No, I haven't seen any. I'd love to hear what readers consider the best ones. I hear the range of choices can be disconcerting and watching all the versions can be disenchanting.
Who is your favorite Dickens villain and (if applicable) who does your favorite portrayal of them?
Ooh, I do love the portrayal of Mr. Tulkinghorn in the recent BBC Bleak House!
Have you seen any musical adaptations of any of Dickens’ stories? If so, which is your favorite song from it?
No and (despite being a musician and singer) I really dislike musicals, so probably never will. (I guess I find musicals trite.)
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