The Battle of Life, Part the Third

[Zulfiya]

This is the thread to discuss the final installment of this Christmas novelette by Charles Dickens.

1. As most of his Christmas stories, this one also ends happily with Grace marrying Alfred and having a daughter. At the same time, Dickens misleads us during part three and hints that Marion died. How justifiable is it within the plot frame of this novelette?

2. How Christmasy The Battle of Life is?

3. Why is it titled The Battle of Life? Is there in the novelette that would explain the title?

4. What about the matrimonial bliss for his cameo characters and the death of one of the lawyers? Is this the requirement of the genre or does this story flow naturally?

5. What is wrong with the ending and how is the battle reference relevant?

Despite all the usual Dickens' flaws, I quite enjoyed it because of its twists and turns and even suspense. I also enjoyed it because it is reminiscent of the earlier works - sacrifice with full redemption, mysterious strangers who are not strangers, interesting and quirky cameo characters, familial bliss and happiness.

It is obvious that it is not his best, but I am equally confused why this one does not get much literary exposure and attention. It is possibly the least magical, and the fairy-tale mood is essential to turn in to a well-recognizable Christmas tale :-)

P.S. My favorite quote is again about Clemency :-)

A chaise-cart, driven by a boy, came clattering along the road: and seated in it, in a chair, with a large well-saturated umbrella spread out to dry behind her, was the plump figure of a matronly woman, with her bare arms folded across a basket which she carried on her knee, several other baskets and parcels lying crowded around her, and a certain bright good nature in her face and contented awkwardness in her manner, as she jogged to and fro with the motion of her carriage, which smacked of old times, even in the distance.
Upon her nearer approach, this relish of by-gone days was not diminished; and when the cart stopped at the Nutmeg-Grater door, a pair of shoes, alighting from it, slipped nimbly through Mr. Britain's open arms, and came down with a substantial weight upon the pathway, which shoes could hardly have belonged to any one but Clemency Newcome.

That character was the source of delight all the time I read this Christmas tale, as if it was indeed about her, not the two silly sisters :-)

[Linda]

Well, I'm interested in seeing what other readers thought of this story. I was a little disappointed in the main outcome, that Marion had fled for the purpose of Grace being able to marry Alfred. I just think there could have been a different way to go about things without banishing oneself from the family for so many years and causing all that distress. I'm also still mulling over the title of the story, but with no success....

Anyway, that said I did still enjoy the story overall, for the reasons that you gave, Zulfiya. I liked the mysteries and twists and turns. And I especially liked Clemency - both her character and her happy ending. Frankly, she was the best part of the story.

But yes, it did have a Christmasy feeling during the party and waiting for Alfred to return home, even if the story opened up in the spring time meadow.

[Zulfiya]

Clemency was the most soulful and enjoyable part of this tale, so I gave an extra start just for her sheer enigmatic presence.

[Hedi]

Rethinking the whole story I would rather give it 3 stars and do not know why I actually gave it 4. I think I will revise that.

It was a nice little story with some comical and interesting characters. I also had a little bit a problem with Marion's way of leaving and living apart from them for such a long time, I mean far beyond Alfred's and Grace's wedding and the birth of their child. It is interesting that her return occurs at the same time as Michael Warden's - what a coincidence!

I also agree with you that the party scene waiting for Alfred to come home felt Christmas-like. I pictured a neat little cottage in England and was yesterday reminded of such when watching the movie "The Holiday" with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz.

Why is the novelette called "The Battle of Life"? Maybe because it is covering many topics though maybe not in depth, we have unrequited love, true love, we have this "useless" dandy who gambles away his fortune and even gets into high debts, we have Dickens's "beloved" lawyers working their ways, there is despair and happiness in different stages of life and to get though this is sometimes a battle. However, if we think of this particular it seems as if it might get rewarded in the end with some happiness. That might also be the slight Christmas-like touch - a feast of love and family...

[Zulfiya]

Hedi wrote: "Why is the novelette called "The Battle of Life"? Maybe because it is covering many topics though maybe not in depth, we have unrequited love, true love, we have this "useless" dandy who gambles away his fortune and even gets into high debts, we have Dickens's "beloved" lawyers working their ways, there is despair and happiness in different stages of life and to get though this is sometimes a battle. However, if we think of this particular it seems as if it might get rewarded in the end with some happiness. That might also be the slight Christmas-like touch - a feast of love and family...
"

You are most definitely right, Hedi. If there is any explanation why it was titled The Battle of Life, yours is the most plausible. It is about trials and tribulations of life as well as its fortunes and blessings.

[Linda]

Hedi wrote: "there is despair and happiness in different stages of life and to get though this is sometimes a battle. However, if we think of this particular it seems as if it might get rewarded in the end with some happiness. That might also be the slight Christmas-like touch - a feast of love and family..."

I like this summary of the novel's title, and why it feels like a Christmas story. Well put, Hedi.

[Hedi]

Thanks, Linda.

[Robin P, Moderator]

I think there's a sentence somewhere comparing life with its ups and downs to a battle such as took place on that site. But I don't remember where it was.

I was surprised by Dickens for once, since the jolly, pretty sister turned out to sacrifice herself for a change. A bit drastic - couldn't people have actually talked to each other? But it has a fairy tale quality, wasn't it a magical-sounding 7 years of separation? So realism isn't the issue.

[Lynnm]

I don't know why Dickens misled us on Marion's "death." There really was no point to it. It was told to only Clemency and Mr. Britain, wasn't it?

I liked Hedi's explanation of the battle of life. The ups and downs of life, the good and the bad.

Although I think the personal story of the sisters fell short of the battle analogy. For the battle, we have people willing to die for some unknown cause or ideology or person or whatever. But no one remembers the reason or who dies. After all this time, no one remembers the specifics.

In the story, Marion loses 6 years for her sister (and I agree, why go through all that drama? Just talk to her sister!). But, even if we disagree on why she should have to do it, it is a sacrifice for a specific reason.

And now, the Doctor realizes that life really isn't a farce. To me, seen from a distance it is, but up close it isn't. There are real consequences at the time.

Maybe that was Dickens' point in the two stories?

And like everyone, I liked Clemency too. And glad her tale has a happy ending (along with everyone else, and even Michael Warden).

I liked the story, but what Dickens is trying to say at the end of the day, is a bit confusing.

[Renee]

I have a memory of the line connecting the actual battle with the battle in human hearts. The battle perhaps created by love and the battle within ourselves to contain our emotions. I think it was stated by Marion during her reconciliation with Grace. But now I must go hunt it down.

I liked this little story for the most part. Although, the fake death bit was confusing and of little use to the tale. I think the lawyers must be in it at all as a kind of comic relief because they don't add much to the tale. And, it seemed a stretch to turn this into a "holiday" story, but Dickens kinda made it work. I do sincerely love the union of Clemency and Britain. Genius, that!

[Zulfiya]

We will soon move to more substance when we start discussing Little Dorrit.
I will start working on the schedule as soon as the finals are over.