Classics

[Trelawn]

They used to Emma, hence Chancery Lane near the Four Courts. I'm glad you're enjoying it. It has some of my favourite characters; Esther Summerson, Inspector Bucket, Lady Dedlock. I don't think we'll ever fully agree on Dickens portrayal of women but come back to me at the end of the book regarding the two female characters mentioned above esp. Lady Dedlock.

[Paul]

I never get the thing about Dickens not being able to write women. Look at Nancy in Oliver Twist. Such a wonderful caring and well written character.

[Trelawn]

Esther is less passive than Jane but they are similar. I'll leave you to find out about Lady Dedlock yourself :-)

[Paul]

A fallen woman is still a woman and were a part of the world he wrote about. He doesnt do female lead heroines but some of his accompanying females are some of the most famous on literature. Not bad for someone who can't write woman.

[Trelawn]

There are some insipid women like Dora from David Copperfield but Dickens intended her to be that way. Betsy Trotwood from the same book is nuts but certainly no pushover and she raises David. Miss Havisham will obviously eccentric is very powerful in her way, shaping the lives of Estella, Pip and some of the Pockets. I think my issue with peoples view of the women in Dickens is that the didn't have starring roles. But then not many women (excepting the Queen) did in Victorian. He wrote about women as they were, embellishing here and there as artistic license dictated. But i really don't think his women were any less likeable or credible than his other characters.

[Trelawn]

Pip's sister is Mrs Joe.

[Trelawn]

No it's right :-) I understan your point of view re women but I just never had that issue with Dickens as he always supplies me with a whole cast of characters who I indentify with to greater or lesser degrees. It may just be a matter of personal choice.