Not straightforward humour though but good old British irony and sarcasm, found in so many British novels and very much part of British humour today
. The second is an example of a 'backhanded' compliment, a common form of irony over here. Dickens was a past master at irony as was Jane Austen, of course, although her irony was painted with 'so fine a brush' that it is often missed.
Message Edited by Choisya on 12-04-2007 12:48 AM
. The second is an example of a 'backhanded' compliment, a common form of irony over here. Dickens was a past master at irony as was Jane Austen, of course, although her irony was painted with 'so fine a brush' that it is often missed.
BarbaraN wrote:
I was struck by the sense of humor Scrooge had in this story. I was not sure if it was supposed to be intentional on Scrooge's side but, considering that fact the same style of humor showed up in the narrative as well, I think Dickens was throughly enjoying himself. Looking at Stave 1 I thought I might share some things that struck me as a bit humorous, especially coming from this old curmudgeon.
In his office:
"If I could work my will," said Scrooge, indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas,' on his lips, sould be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a steak of holly through his heart. He should!"
In reference to his nephew after being applauded by Cratchet:
"You're quite a powerful speaker, sir," he added, turning to his nephew. "I wonder you don't go into Parliament."
In reference to Cratchet:
"There's another fellow," muttered Scrooge; who overheard him: "my clerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas. I'll retire to Bedlam."
To the charity collectors after inquiring about the state of the poor workhouses, treadmills, prisons and being reassured by them that they were still in operation:
"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."
Message Edited by Choisya on 12-04-2007 12:48 AM
There was a great deal of philanthropy in Victorian times and more charitable institutions were set up then than at any other time in British history. However, provision was very patchy and 'moral'. This led Beatrice Webb, one of the great reformers who studied the 'labouring poor', to coin the phrase 'the deserving and undeserving poor' by which she meant those who philanthropists chose to help and those who were thought not to deserve help because of their so called 'immorality'. She called for government provision for the poor so that those thought to be 'undeserving' would not fall through the net and become utterly destitute, fall into criminality etc. One of the 'undeserving' categories were unmarried mothers who Victorians considered immoral, whatever the circumstances, with the consequence that not only did the mother often die, but so did the baby
. A great many of Dickens' novels deal with the 'undeserving poor' because, like Webb, he wanted to draw attention to this problem. The foundation of children's homes like Barnados and welfare provision/help for prostitutes and alcoholics etc can be dated back to this period which, though originally funded privately, came to be funded in a more even-handed way by the state.
. A great many of Dickens' novels deal with the 'undeserving poor' because, like Webb, he wanted to draw attention to this problem. The foundation of children's homes like Barnados and welfare provision/help for prostitutes and alcoholics etc can be dated back to this period which, though originally funded privately, came to be funded in a more even-handed way by the state.
GMG wrote:
Good point. I think this also serves to illuminate the ways in which poor English families/individuals during this time were forced to rely on the irregular charity ("liberality" in Chp. 1) of the wealthy; this surfaces often in Victorian novels. I think it's interesting that Scrooge (in this first chapter) defends his refusal to give the "portly gentlemen" seeking contributions by stating that he already supports the prisons and the Union workhouses.
--G.
