"Martin Chuzzlewit" is a novel by Charles Dickens, serialized between 1843 and 1844. It is considered one of Dickens's last picaresque novels and explores themes of selfishness, morality, and redemption through the lives of the Chuzzlewit family.
The story centers on Martin Chuzzlewit, a young architect who is disinherited by his wealthy grandfather, also named Martin Chuzzlewit, due to his selfish behavior. The novel contrasts the fates of two Chuzzlewits: Martin, who seeks moral redemption and personal growth, and his cousin Jonas, who embodies greed and corruption, leading him down a path of crime and despair.
Dickens uses a rich cast of characters to satirize various aspects of society, including hypocrisy, greed, and the pursuit of wealth. Notable characters include Seth Pecksniff, a self-serving architect who pretends to be virtuous, and Mr. Mould, a funeral director who profits from the death of others. The narrative is filled with humor and social commentary, showcasing Dickens's keen observations of human nature.
The novel also features a subplot involving Martin's travels to America, where he encounters the cultural differences and social issues of the time. This journey serves as a backdrop for further exploration of the themes of identity and belonging.
Overall, "Martin Chuzzlewit" is a complex and engaging work that reflects Dickens's evolving literary style and his deepening exploration of character and morality. It remains a significant part of his oeuvre, appreciated for its humor, social critique, and memorable characters.
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讀書共和國新增了 5 張相片。
【今天是什麼日子】
美好週日，想好今日行程了嗎？參考一下別人的如何？
美好週日，想好今日行程了嗎？參考一下別人的如何？
「我承認自己經常在星期日從柯芬園的住處出外遊歷。如果這樣的坦承會讓那些週日從不出門的人感到不悅，希望我接下來補充說明的這句話能夠平撫他們的心緒：我週日遊歷的地點都是教堂。
倒不是因為我想聽那些口沫橫飛的牧師講道。我還是個毛頭小子的時候，就已經聽過太多了。在我的童年裡，每逢夏日夜晚，我那稚嫩的心雖然寧可親近戶外的花朵、樹木與鳥兒，卻總是被一隻女性的手扯著頭髮，從脖子到髮根猛力刷洗一番，做為上教堂前的淨身儀式，然後在滿頭肥皂味的情況下被帶到雷嗓牧師的會眾當中，在那密閉空間裡像顆馬鈴薯一樣被他口中不斷噴出的氣息慢慢燻蒸，直到我小小的頭腦被蒸得不省人事為止。
禮拜結束後，我總是在極為悲慘的狀態下被強拖出聚會所，然後接受拷問，必須答出雷嗓牧師在講道中提到的第五點、第六點和第七點分別是什麼，以致我不禁覺得那個牧師猶如一個啞劇演員，在玩著沉悶、壓迫的猜字謎遊戲。我當時經常被迫參加的那種聚會，絕對沒有一個孩子能夠保持清醒，不論藉由長輩的憤怒斥責還是神的恩典都辦不到。」
－摘自《非商業旅人》
倒不是因為我想聽那些口沫橫飛的牧師講道。我還是個毛頭小子的時候，就已經聽過太多了。在我的童年裡，每逢夏日夜晚，我那稚嫩的心雖然寧可親近戶外的花朵、樹木與鳥兒，卻總是被一隻女性的手扯著頭髮，從脖子到髮根猛力刷洗一番，做為上教堂前的淨身儀式，然後在滿頭肥皂味的情況下被帶到雷嗓牧師的會眾當中，在那密閉空間裡像顆馬鈴薯一樣被他口中不斷噴出的氣息慢慢燻蒸，直到我小小的頭腦被蒸得不省人事為止。
禮拜結束後，我總是在極為悲慘的狀態下被強拖出聚會所，然後接受拷問，必須答出雷嗓牧師在講道中提到的第五點、第六點和第七點分別是什麼，以致我不禁覺得那個牧師猶如一個啞劇演員，在玩著沉悶、壓迫的猜字謎遊戲。我當時經常被迫參加的那種聚會，絕對沒有一個孩子能夠保持清醒，不論藉由長輩的憤怒斥責還是神的恩典都辦不到。」
－摘自《非商業旅人》
猜到這是誰了嗎？
這是英國維多利亞時期的小說家，狄更斯（Charles Dickens, 1812-1870）的週日行程。
這是英國維多利亞時期的小說家，狄更斯（Charles Dickens, 1812-1870）的週日行程。
既然狄更斯都說了他童年對教堂的負面印象，是什麼動機讓他以遊歷教堂為樂？
「我在週日到教堂遊歷，不是為了聽他們講道，也不是為了聽那些口沫橫飛的牧師講道。我的週日遊歷是在好奇心的驅使下，對倫敦市的眾多教堂進行走訪。有一天，我突然想到自己致力走訪了羅馬的所有教堂，對於倫敦許多老教堂的內部卻竟然一無所知！這個想法是在一個星期日的早晨出現的，於是我當天就立刻展開這樣的旅程，並且從此持續了一年的時間。」
－摘自《非商業旅人》
你對自己所住的城市有不熟悉的區域嗎？－摘自《非商業旅人》
今天去那裡走走如何？
「寫作這本書的時候，狄更斯的住處多是在柯芬園，他經常從這裡出發，四處明察暗訪，看教堂、濟貧院、墓園，但有時散步只是因為失眠，柯芬園有熱鬧的市集、戲院，但狄更斯形容它是過氣的鄰里，天氣一壞就顯得特別荒涼陰鬱。」
－圖文摘自《非商業旅人》http://www.bookrep.com.tw/activeimg/L/0LGB0002/#c
去過東倫敦的柯芬園嗎？你對那裡有什麼印象呢？
PREFACE
A Chancery judge once had the kindness to inform me, as one of a company of some hundred and fifty men and women not labouring under any suspicions of lunacy, that the Court of Chancery, though the shining subject of much popular prejudice (at which point I thought the judge's eye had a cast in my direction), was almost immaculate. 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," which guilty public, it appeared, had been until lately bent in the most determined manner on by no means enlarging the number of Chancery judges appointed—I believe by Richard the Second, but any other king will do as well.
This seemed to me too profound a joke to be inserted in the body of this book or I should have restored it to Conversation Kenge or to Mr. Vholes, with one or other of whom I think it must have originated. In such mouths I might have coupled it with an apt quotation from one of Shakespeare's sonnets:
"My nature is subdued
To what it works in, like the dyer's hand:
Pity me, then, and wish I were renewed!"
Kenge ( Bleak House ) Solicitor for John Jarndyce in the firm Kenge and Carboy. Known as 'Conversation Kenge'. (top)Vholes ( Bleak House ) Richard Carstone's solicitor in Symond's Inn, recommended by Skimpole, who lures Richard deeper into the Chancery case that will ultimately lead to Richard's despair and death.
Charles Dickens A to Z : The Essential Reference to His Life and Work
All of Dickens' characters and more
Alphabetical cross-linked list of more than 400 Dickens' characters:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Dickens' characters are some of the most memorable in fiction. Often these characters were based on people that he knew: Wilkins Micawber and William Dorrit (his father), Mrs. Nickleby (his mother). In a few instances Dickens based the character too closely on the original and got into trouble, as in the case of Harold Skimpole in Bleak House, based on Leigh Hunt, and Miss Mowcher in David Copperfield, based on his wife's dwarf chiropodist. Characters such as Scrooge (miserly) and Pecksniff (hypocritically affecting benevolence) became defining terms in everyday vernacular.
H
Haggage, Dr ( Little Dorrit ) Doctor at the Marshalsea prison who delivers Amy Dorrit, described as 'amazingly shabby, in a torn and darned rough-weather sea-jacket, out at elbows and eminently short of buttons (he had been in his time the experienced surgeon carried by a passenger ship), the dirtiest white trousers conceivable by mortal man, carpet slippers, and no visible linen'. (top)
Handford, Julius ( Our Mutual Friend ) Alias taken by John Harmon in order to investigate his own supposed drowning. (top)
Haredale, Emma ( Barnaby Rudge ) Daughter of the murdered Reuben and niece of Geoffrey. She eventually marries Edward Chester (top)
Haredale, Geoffrey ( Barnaby Rudge ) Brother of the murdered Reuben and uncle of Emma. Suspected of being responsible for the murder of his brother, he spends his life in pursuit of the real killer. A Catholic, his house is burned in the Gordon Riots. He fights a duel with Sir John Chester, kills him, and leaves the country. (top)
Haredale, Reuben ( Barnaby Rudge ) Brother of Geoffrey, father of Emma. Murdered before the story begins. (top)
Harmon, John ( Our Mutual Friend )
Son of a wealthy dust contractor and heir to his fortune if he agrees to marry Bella Wilfer. He is away from England when his father dies and on the way home he is supposed drowned in a case of mistaken identity. With his supposed death the dust fortune goes to Boffin. John gets himself hired into the Boffin home as secretary John Rokesmith. Here he meets Bella and, with the help of the Boffins, wins her love as Rokesmith, and marries her. He later reveals his true identity and regains his fortune. (top)Harris, Mrs ( Martin Chuzzlewit ) Imaginary friend of Sairey Gamp who uses Mrs Harris's invented quotes to establish Mrs Gamp's good reputation. (top)
Harthouse, James ( Hard Times ) A Parliamentary candidate visiting Coketown, he befriends Tom Gradgrind in an attempt to seduce his sister, Louisa, who is in an unhappy marriage to Bounderby. As a result of the attempted seduction Louisa runs home to her father and refuses to return to Bounderby and is later disowned by him. (top)
Havisham, Miss ( Great Expectations )
A very rich and grim old woman who lives in seclusion at Satis House. She is the guardian of Estella whom she teaches to break men's hearts to avenge her own being left at the altar by Compeyson years before. She continues to wear her wedding dress and her room contains the yellowing remnants of the wedding day including the mouldy wedding cake. Pip goes to Miss Havisham's to play and meets Estella. Pip believes Miss Havisham is his secret benefactor as he goes to London and becomes a gentleman, finding out later that the convict Magwitch has supplied his "Expectations". Miss Havisham dies when her house burns down and leaves her fortune to Estella. (top)Havisham, Arthur ( Great Expectations ) Miss Havisham's drunken brother who plots with Compeyson to gain his sister's fortune. (top)
Hawk, Sir Mulberry ( Nicholas Nickleby ) Business associate of Ralph Nickleby. Makes advances to Kate Nickleby and is thrashed by Nicholas. When his revenge is opposed by Lord Verisopht they duel and Verisopht is killed. Hawk flees to France. (top)Headstone, Bradley ( Our Mutual Friend ) A school teacher and master of the boys department of a school on the borders of Kent and Surrey. Charlie Hexam becomes Headstone's pupil and Bradley becomes obsessed with Charley's sister Lizzie. Lizzie wants nothing to do with him and he becomes jealous of Eugene Wrayburn who also has eyes for Lizzie. He attempts to murder Wrayburn and believes he has been successful. Rogue Riderhood discovers the supposed murder and attempts to blackmail Headstone. In a later confrontation, Riderhood and Headstone are both drowned. (top)
Heathfield, Alfred ( The Battle of Life ) Ward of Dr. Jeddler who loves the doctor's youngest daughter, Marion. Marion runs away that her sister, Grace, may marry Alfred. Alfred becomes a doctor for the poor. (top)
Heep, Mrs. ( David Copperfield )
Widowed mother of Uriah Heep, "dead image of Uriah, only short". She is as "umble" as her son, whom she dotes on. (top)Heep, Uriah ( David Copperfield )
A hypocritical clerk of Mr. Wickfield's who is continually citing his humbleness. He deviously plots to ruin Wickfield but is later undone by Mr. Micawber. On their first meeting, David describes him as "a red-haired person - a youth of fifteen, as I take it now, but looking much older - whose hair was cropped as close as the closest stubble; who had hardly any eyebrows, and no eyelashes, and eyes of a red-brown, so unsheltered and unshaded, that I remember wondering how he went to sleep. He was high-shouldered and bony; dressed in decent black, with a white wisp of a neckcloth; buttoned up to the throat; and had a long, lank, skeleton hand, which particularly attracted my attention, as he stood at the pony's head, rubbing his chin with it, and looking up at us in the chaise. He had a way of writhing when he wanted to express enthusiasm, which was very ugly" Uriah Heep, wonderfully hideous, is one of Dickens' greatest triumphs in character creation. His description of Heep's writhing and scheming, and his cold, clammy nature, makes one's skin crawl. (top)Hexam, Charlie ( Our Mutual Friend ) Son of Gaffer and brother to Lizzie. Charlie is educated by Bradley Headstone and supports Headstone's advances toward his sister. When Lizzie refuses to marry Headstone Charlie rejects her. (top)
Hexam, Gaffer ( Our Mutual Friend )
Waterman, father of Lizzie and Charlie, who plies the Thames looking for dead bodies. He finds a body thought to be John Harmon, the central character in the story. (top)Hexam, Lizzie ( Our Mutual Friend )
Daughter of waterman Gaffer Hexam and sister of Charlie. She is opposed to her father's business of combing the Thames looking for drowned bodies but is true to him. When her father drowns she goes to live with Jenny Wren. Lizzie rejects the advances of schoolmaster Bradley Headstone and opposes the attention of Eugene Wrayburn, although she loves him, because they come from different classes of society. She runs away from London to a mill up the river. Wrayburn succeeds in finding her and is followed by Headstone who attempts to murder Wrayburn. Lizzie rescues Wrayburn and later marries him. (top)Higden, Betty ( Our Mutual Friend ) Old woman who operates a 'minding school', for orphans and other children. She is adamant about earning her keep and staying away from the workhouse. When an orphan in her keep dies she hits the road and earns a living doing needlework. She dies in the arms of Lizzie Hexam who promises not to take her to the workhouse. Dickens uses the character to illustrate the horror many of the truly needy had of the workhouse system. (top)
Hominy, Mrs ( Martin Chuzzlewit ) Conceited American literary lady Martin is forced to accompany on the first leg of the trip to Eden. (top)
Honeythunder, Luke ( The Mystery of Edwin Drood ) Loud, overbearing philanthropist and guardian of Neville and Helena Landless. (top)
Hortense ( Bleak House ) Lady Dedlock's French maid. She is dismissed in favor of Rosa and aids lawyer Tulkinghorn in discovering Lady Dedlock's secret. When Tulkinghorn spurns her she murders him. Hortense is based on Mrs Manning, a murderer whose execution Dickens witnessed in 1849. (top)
Hubbles, Mr and Mrs ( Great Expectations ) Friends of the Gargerys, Mr Hubble is the village wheelwright. (top)
Hugh ( Barnaby Rudge ) Hostler at the Maypole. Joins the rioters in London and is later hanged. Revealed to be the son of Sir John Chester. (top)
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" is the final novel by Charles Dickens, published posthumously in 1870. The novel is notable for being unfinished, as Dickens died before he could complete it, leaving readers with only six of the planned twelve installments. This has led to much speculation and intrigue regarding the story's resolution.
The plot revolves around Edwin Drood, a young man who disappears under mysterious circumstances. He is engaged to Rosa Bud, but their relationship is complicated by the presence of John Jasper, Edwin's uncle, who harbors dark secrets and desires. The narrative is steeped in themes of murder, mystery, and the complexities of human relationships, with Jasper emerging as a prime suspect in Edwin's presumed murder.
Dickens employs elements of gothic fiction and psychological depth, creating a tense atmosphere filled with suspense. The unfinished nature of the novel has sparked numerous interpretations and adaptations, as readers and writers alike have attempted to fill in the gaps left by Dickens. The ambiguity surrounding the fate of Edwin Drood and the motivations of the characters continues to captivate audiences, making it a subject of enduring fascination in literary circles.
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"Little Dorrit" by Charles Dickens explores various struggles, including personal, social, and emotional challenges.
The novel delves into Amy Dorrit's unrequited love for Arthur Clennam, despite his initial indifference, showcasing her resilience and devotion. Meanwhile, Arthur grapples with an identity crisis, seeking to find purpose and redeem his family's past mistakes.
Dickens critiques social stratification through characters like the wealthy Merdles and the impoverished Dorrits. The novel exposes the harsh realities of debtors' prison and the consequences of social inequality.
The Circumlocution Office, where Arthur works, embodies bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption. Dickens uses this setting to comment on the failures of government and the need for reform.
Characters like Amy and Arthur struggle with conflicting obligations to family, society, and personal desires, highlighting the tension between love and duty. The novel also explores the emotional toll of shame and guilt, particularly through Mr. Dorrit's and Arthur's experiences.
Despite hardships, characters like Amy and Little Dorrit embody hope and perseverance. Through their stories, Dickens emphasizes the importance of redemption, personal growth, and social justice.
Marshalsea Prison serves as a powerful symbol, representing confinement, shame, and social trap. The Circumlocution Office and the Merdles' wealth also hold symbolic significance, embodying bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, superficiality, and moral decay.
Dickens's masterful storytelling weaves these struggles together, creating a rich tapestry of human experience, social commentary, and personal growth. "Little Dorrit" remains a timeless classic, offering insights into the complexities of human nature and the societal challenges of Victorian England.
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