Oliver Twist (10)
Dickens is an amazing writer, but if you go on to read more of his work I think you will find that his use of characters is the same in most of his work. Clearly defined used to portray a very set idea more so than a living breathing person... Great Expectations demonstrates this extremely well.
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EastbayRay: Oliver Twist
My recent study of morality in philosophy has had me reading some heavy stuff (Schopenhauer, Kant, Nietzsche, Hume, Aristotle [N Ethics - again]), and I felt like reading some fiction for a break so went to the bookstore and came across Oliver Twist.
I read the opening paragraph and it was beautiful (Charles Dickens for you!), and bought it right away.
Well, I have read a good deal of it now and I am astonished how dark and ruthless it is (it hasn't been a break at all). Well, I mean, I’m impressed! I expected it to be dark and Victorian but I just never expected DICKENS to have such a dark-world view and to spare no single syllable in describing the destitution of the poor...
Please, sir, can I have some more?
I love this book. I will certainly be reading some more Dickens in the future…however I have always preferred writers who take a more objective approach to their characters. I.e. it is clear Dickens is being bias towards every other character except Oliver (the personification of the poor). I don’t like this because it prevents the author (and the reader) from getting into the heads of the other characters and seeing what angle THEY see the situation from.
I am interested in the 1800s because, in my opinion, the greatest philosophers (the darkest, most pessimistic, nihilistic -and enlightening) were writing in these times . . .
It seems truly to have been a dark time for the world and to have had its effect on many great minds. . .
My recent study of morality in philosophy has had me reading some heavy stuff (Schopenhauer, Kant, Nietzsche, Hume, Aristotle [N Ethics - again]), and I felt like reading some fiction for a break so went to the bookstore and came across Oliver Twist.
I read the opening paragraph and it was beautiful (Charles Dickens for you!), and bought it right away.
Well, I have read a good deal of it now and I am astonished how dark and ruthless it is (it hasn't been a break at all). Well, I mean, I’m impressed! I expected it to be dark and Victorian but I just never expected DICKENS to have such a dark-world view and to spare no single syllable in describing the destitution of the poor...
Please, sir, can I have some more?
I love this book. I will certainly be reading some more Dickens in the future…however I have always preferred writers who take a more objective approach to their characters. I.e. it is clear Dickens is being bias towards every other character except Oliver (the personification of the poor). I don’t like this because it prevents the author (and the reader) from getting into the heads of the other characters and seeing what angle THEY see the situation from.
I am interested in the 1800s because, in my opinion, the greatest philosophers (the darkest, most pessimistic, nihilistic -and enlightening) were writing in these times . . .
It seems truly to have been a dark time for the world and to have had its effect on many great minds. . .
Hiya Ray.... I agree he is a bit dark... but he is a great story teller.. but it just goes to show though.. peoples perceptions/opinions are very much a reflection of the time... therefore begs the question.. are human beings actually capable of objectivity or free thinking... even fashions and architecture reflect socio-economic backdrop.. are we all just an extension of our environment..?
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jbibiza: Dickens is an amazing writer, but if you go on to read more of his work I think you will find that his use of characters is the same in most of his work. Clearly defined used to portray a very set idea more so than a living breathing person... Great Expectations demonstrates this extremely well.
Thanks! Which is his best book, by the way? Are his others very different from Oliver Twist?
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any opening paragraph in a dickens book has you wanting more
my fave bar none had to be david copperfield
my fave bar none had to be david copperfield
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'The 1800's is a stark and cold reminder of what happens when the 'Haves' forget and disregard the 'Have Nots'... saddly the world seems to be heading this way again :'
'The 1800's is a stark and cold reminder of what happens when the 'Haves' forget and disregard the 'Have Nots'... saddly the world seems to be heading this way again :'
That's a good way of putting it!
Have you missed anything much?
Yeah - me!
Aries01: Hiya Ray.... my damn broadband was not working and also to be honest was getting a little bit fed up with the site... there just didn't seem to be much going on...
Just got my internet back this morning so am popping in to have a look... ...
The 1800's is a stark and cold reminder of what happens when the 'Haves' forget and disregard the 'Have Nots'... saddly the world seems to be heading this way again :
How have u been? have I missed anything much??
Just got my internet back this morning so am popping in to have a look... ...
The 1800's is a stark and cold reminder of what happens when the 'Haves' forget and disregard the 'Have Nots'... saddly the world seems to be heading this way again :
How have u been? have I missed anything much??
'The 1800's is a stark and cold reminder of what happens when the 'Haves' forget and disregard the 'Have Nots'... saddly the world seems to be heading this way again :'
That's a good way of putting it!
Have you missed anything much?
Yeah - me!
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EastbayRay: Thanks! Which is his best book, by the way? Are his others very different from Oliver Twist?
His most acclaimed book is "David Copperfield", but my personal favorites are "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations". I think one of the most amazing things about Dickens is that he lived his stories... his family was jailed for debt and he became one of children of the hellish child work force of that era. In spite of growing up in living conditions which for most children resulted in an early grave, he managed to crawl out and become the incredible writer he was. I think that is why no matter how tragic the tale, there is always a touch of humor and a glint of hope in his works.
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EastbayRay: Thanks! Which is his best book, by the way? Are his others very different from Oliver Twist?
A lot of people like Great Expectations most. David Copperfield is good too. I like Bleak House a lot though some of the characters are a bit "caricature"
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jbibiza: His most acclaimed book is "David Copperfield", but my personal favorites are "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations". I think one of the most amazing things about Dickens is that he lived his stories... his family was jailed for debt and he became one of children of the hellish child work force of that era. In spite of growing up in living conditions which for most children resulted in an early grave, he managed to crawl out and become the incredible writer he was. I think that is why no matter how tragic the tale, there is always a touch of humor and a glint of hope in his works.
Thanks.
That makes sense!
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My recent study of morality in philosophy has had me reading some heavy stuff (Schopenhauer, Kant, Nietzsche, Hume, Aristotle [N Ethics - again]), and I felt like reading some fiction for a break so went to the bookstore and came across Oliver Twist.
I read the opening paragraph and it was beautiful (Charles Dickens for you!), and bought it right away.
Well, I have read a good deal of it now and I am astonished how dark and ruthless it is (it hasn't been a break at all). Well, I mean, I’m impressed! I expected it to be dark and Victorian but I just never expected DICKENS to have such a dark-world view and to spare no single syllable in describing the destitution of the poor...
Please, sir, can I have some more?
I love this book. I will certainly be reading some more Dickens in the future…however I have always preferred writers who take a more objective approach to their characters. I.e. it is clear Dickens is being bias towards every other character except Oliver (the personification of the poor). I don’t like this because it prevents the author (and the reader) from getting into the heads of the other characters and seeing what angle THEY see the situation from.
I am interested in the 1800s because, in my opinion, the greatest philosophers (the darkest, most pessimistic, nihilistic -and enlightening) were writing in these times . . .
It seems truly to have been a dark time for the world and to have had its effect on many great minds. . .