Questions on Barnaby Rudge

Barnaby Rudge defies Hollywood and shows that the Victorians were better than we are in at least on respect: they would read a longish novel centered on a “fool.” They might have used the term “idiot,” but they not only allowed him dignity, but would cheer for him too. This first of Dickens’ two historical novels (with the better Tale of Two Cities) centers on the Gordon Riots in 1790 London. They have the relationship to Dickens that the First World War has to me: distant memories of his great-grandsires...

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Questions on Dombey and Son

Mr. Dombey is a miserable man: miserable to know, miserable in his person. He takes a good thing, a family business, and worships it. He is proud and, in his pride, overlooks the best gift God has given him: his daughter.
Christians are all feminists, if by feminism one means the equal and full humanity of women and men before Providence. If you doubt the necessity of feminism, you could either read your favorite news site, or you might read Dombey and Son.

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Questions on Bleak House

Bleak House is not very bleak... unless you think your passions should be rewarded. The novel celebrates humility and temperance, two virtues that Netflix is unlikely to turn into a series. Bleak House characters that do not moderate their passions aren’t just evil and failures, one even spontaneously combusts! Young adults sitting in darkened rooms playing hours of games, swilling too much caffeine, and eating microwaved food, be warned...

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Questions on Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens just turned two hundred. To celebrate his birthday, I am reading all his novels and short stories. Why not join me? My first was Martin Chuzzlewit,, because it deals with selfishness, which seemed appropriate around the Holidays. Selfishness is so easy after getting gifts. My desire for Epic Mickey 2 and the new Madden games were not the only kinds of selfishness I had to battle, like Mickey killing a blot..

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The King of Love Has Come

“If you are not loving, then you are missing Christmas.” The good news is that nobody I have ever met disagrees with this idea. The bad news is that some of us have used it to reduce Christmas to “love.” Do not get me wrong; love is great! Love, correctly understood, is the greatest energy a man or woman can find. But that is because it is the power, the passion, that drives us to see God...

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