Held in March , this explored playful, creative approaches to the works of Dickens, which are frequently misrepresented as a test of our intellect. She now teaches English language and literature. Both ideas help to modernise Dickens while engaging with the context of his work.
I have used them in my teaching and they have been really successful. Summer emphasises that Dickens can appeal to children of all ages. For further information about the Charles Dickens Museum, London, please visit their website.
Image 1: "'Who is it? Scanned image by Philip V. Dickens portrays Magwitch positively, making him a sympathetic character and causing readers to feel furious when Compeyson evades greater punishment. Dickens assigns Magwitch the role of narrator while he describes these trials to Pip:. At last, me and Compeyson was both committed for felony — on a charge of putting stolen notes in circulation — and there was other charges behind. Compeyson says to me, defences, no communication,' and that was all.
And I was so miserable poor, that I sold all the clothes I had, except what hung on my back, afore I could get Jaggers. When the prosecution opened and the evidence was put short, aforehand, I noticed how heavy it all bore on me, and how light on him. When the evidence was giv in the box, I noticed how it was always me that had come for'ard, and could be swore to, how it was always me that the money had been paid to, how it was always me that had seemed to work the thing and get the profit.
But, when the defence come on, then I see the plan plainer; for, says the counsellor for Compeyson, 'My lord and gentlemen, here you has afore you, side by side, two persons as your eyes can separate wide; one, the younger, well brought up, who will be spoke to as such; one, the elder, ill brought up, who will be spoke to as such; one, the younger, seldom if ever seen in these here transactions, and only suspected; t'other, the elder, always seen in 'em and always wi'his guilt brought home.
Can you doubt, if there is but one in it, which is the one, and, if there is two in it, which is much the worst one. Magwitch's social status and lack of education make it difficult for him to stay out of trouble. In the end the judge sentences them to the same prison ship, where they constantly fight one another, as they will for the rest of their lives.
This scenario serves to show how class indicates little about character, since the more likeable, moral, and well intentioned character, Magwitch, ends up with the harsher punishment.
The longer sentence also emphasizes of the unfairness of a class-based justice system. Dickens portrays Mrs. Joe and Miss Havisham as women seemingly bound to their homes. Both monstrous mother figures for Pip have similar fates, since they end their dominating presence in Pip's life by becoming invalids. Both treat Pip selfishly. Though Miss Havisham occassionally acts kindly, she does so to manipulate him into falling in love with Estella, who then can practice breaking his heart.
A pawn in her game, Pip views Miss Havisham with fear and respect. Dickens does not make clear the intentions of Mrs. Joe, who physically and mentally abuses her little brother. She dominates the household, forcing even her husband into fear and compliance. The ways that the women behave in their settings also helps characterize them:. She was tall and bony, and almost always wore a coarse apron, fastened over her figure behind with two loops, and having a square impregnable bib in front, that was stuck full of pins and needles.
She made it a powerful merit in herself, and a strong reproach against Joe, that she wore this apron so much. Though I really see no reason why she should have worn it at all; or why, if she did wear it at all, she should not have taken it off, every day of her life.
I glanced down at the foot from which the shoe was absent, and saw that the silk stocking on it, once white, now yellow, had been trodden ragged. Without this arrest of everything, this standing still of all the pale decayed objects, not even the withered bridal dress on the collapsed form could have looked so like grave-clothes, or the long veil so like a shroud.
Whereas Mrs. Joe compulsively cleans her house, demanding a spotless home, Miss Havisham leaves dirt, dust, and the remnants of her past lying around.
I crept home slowly, fearful of what lay ahead. Since my parents had died I had been brought up by my sister, Mrs Gargery, who was as fearsome as her husband, Joe, the blacksmith, was simple. Many was the time I had felt the Tickler in her hand. Yet that night I could not help myself stealing a pork pie from the kitchen and a file from the forge.
Time moved slowly on Christmas Day, as I was afeared my sister would discover the pork pie was missing. Then a cannon shot rang out.
We went out into the darkness and espied a badly beaten convict hobbling off into the night. Then we found the man whom I had helped. So relieved was I to be let off the hook that it never occurred to me to wonder how a prisoner could have swum away from the hulk while wearing a leg iron. Luckily it didn't seem to have occurred to anyone else either, and when, a few years later, I was paid to play at Satis House it was all soon forgotten.
Miss Havisham was a fearful sight, a woman who had not seen the light of day for many years, and I was terrible in awe of her when she commanded me to play with her adopted daughter, Estella. Oh Estella! What beauty! I was smitten from the moment I saw her and swore to myself she was the girl for me, even though I was only 10 years old. I learnt to despise the commonness of my own home, and though I loved Joe dearly and admired his loyalty, I couldn't help wishing he was a bit less stupid.
And that Biddy, the young girl who had come to live with us, was a little bit prettier and posher. Then all would be well. But sadly, you aren't. The conversation might have turned awkward had not a stranger arrived some years later to announce that I had Great Expectations. The only condition is that the benefactor's name must never be revealed.
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