PP, Chp. 06-08

[Milena]

Mary Lou wrote: "It occurred to me that both of our side stories so far have been similar ..."

I agree Mary Lou: they are the same story told from a different point of view.
The father in the first story (the stroller) is afraid that his wife wants to murder him because he has starved and beaten her. The father in the second story is “furious with terror” when he sees his son (the convict), and shrieks: “Stand off!”
That shriek would not have been so meaningful for me, had I not read the first story.
It’s so interesting how Dickens explore this emotion, guilt, in just a few lines.

[Kim]

Thinking of Harry Potter, especially Tristram haven't read it and probably never will, I also doubt very much if I will read any of it, but only because it doesn't look at all interesting to me. The only other reason anyone ever gave me not to read it was at a church I no longer go to (for reasons like this), the pastor, knowing I was a reader, felt the need to stop me and warn me against reading the "satanic" Harry Potter books. I don't think I responded, I just walked away and I left the little paper he was trying to hand me on the subject with him.

[Tristram]

Milena wrote: "Tristram wrote: "...Lodowicke Muggleton (1609-89) who founded a Protestant sect based on Muggletonianism – something that sounds like from out of a Harry-Potter-book (at least that’s what I imagine..."

I looked into one German translation, by Joseph Thanner, and there Muggleton also remained Muggleton. I just asked my son - who has just started reading Rowling - how Muggles is translated in German editions of "Harry Potter" and he told me it is not translated at all but kept as a name in its own right. Of course, it would be nicer to try and "translate" such a name into German in order to give the reader an idea of the allusions and connotations of the word - "mug" has quite a lot of different rings to it, doesn't it? - but it would be difficult to find a German equivalent. On the other hand, the English background of the story would be sacrificed if one translated some of the place and proper names.

[Tristram]

Kim wrote: "Thinking of Harry Potter, especially Tristram haven't read it and probably never will, I also doubt very much if I will read any of it, but only because it doesn't look at all interesting to me. Th..."

At our school, a teacher wanted to read a children's book in class 5 which had something to do with magic and witches, and there was an Evangelical family who said their child would not be allowed to read such "Satanic" stuff, whereupon our headmistress said that the novel is covered by the curriculum and that on having their child go to that school they agreed to this very curriculum. So, she said, if they thought the school made their children read books they think unsuitable, they were welcome to have their children go to another school that met their needs. She remained firm on that point, and the parents finally gave in. That was our old headmistress, ten years ago, and we all admired her for not giving in to any attempts at banning literature.

[Kim]

Good for her. I bet the child turned out just fine.

[Tristram]

At least, I have never heard of the child being publicly condemned for practising witchcraft ...

[Julie]

Sherman Alexie refers to Banned Books Week as "S***load of Royalties Week." Claims he never sells better than when he's getting banned.

[Kim]

I could see that happening. I'd probably go buy it.

[Milena]

Years ago I read an article about the writer Michael O'Brien who has written a book in which he criticizes the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Paganization of Culture.
I am curious and maybe I’ll read it some day. I like criticism, but when it comes to banning literature, I agree with you all.

[Mary Lou]

Milena wrote: "Years ago I read an article about the writer Michael O'Brien who has written a book in which he criticizes the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Paganization of Culture...."

I can recall reading at least two books that look at Christianity in the Potter series. One was called "Looking for God in Harry Potter" - I don't recall the name of the other one. Point is, one can find "evidence" to support any theory. Curiosities of a certain age will remember the alleged death of Paul McCartney in the late 60s. So many articles and books were written at the time itemizing the "clues" supporting the theory which was, of course, poppycock. Read what you want. Take from it what you will.

[Suki]

The threads in this group are amazing! I love the insights in the comments-- it is a great way to review what I just read, and Kim's art posts are so interesting. I think Pickwick is a fairly straightforward read, but with this group I know I'll be in good hands when we move on to some of Dickens' more intimidating works.

[Tristram]

Suki wrote: "some of Dickens' more intimidating works"

... like, of course, The Old Curiosity Shop, which is as intimidating as it gets.

[Kim]

We're soon there, get ready.

[Julie]

I've so enjoyed the threads in this group, too!

I don't know if they will be enough to get me through Old Curiosity Shop on a second attempt...

[Kim]

Don't worry Julie, I've already read the book with Tristram and Everyman, I know what's coming and I can handle them, by the time we finish the book they'll both love Little Nell. :-)

[Julie]

In that case, I'll give it a shot.

[Peter]

Julie wrote: "In that case, I'll give it a shot."

Julie

Kim and I will do our best to cheer Little Nell on and do epic battles with Tristram and Everyman over her fate.

We are already in training.

[Tristram]

Little Nell's fate is already sealed, Peter and Kim! ;-)

[Kim]

Tristram wrote: "Little Nell's fate is already sealed, Peter and Kim! ;-)"

Poor, poor, Little Nell. And while I think of it, poor, poor Oliver, poor, poor Nicholas. I'm getting ready.

[Tristram]

It'll be great fun!