George Silverman's Explanation - 6th Summer Read 2021 (hosted by Janelle)

[Connie]

It's interesting to see how Dickens treats religion in his works. He wrote about the hypocrites in Hawkyard's church. But Dickens also wrote Christmas stories about helping others and living a good life. He seems more comfortable with a secular Christianity than with some organized religions where it may be easy to take advantage of poor or uneducated people, or scare people about the horrors of hell.

[Petra]

Those two Brothers were up to no good when George entered the room. Brother Hawkyard turned pale when George handed him the letter and relieved when he'd read the contents. It's a shame George didn't pick up that something was amiss. These two are scamming the poor kid.

He's an industrious person, is George. He's excelled in his studies, gotten a scholarship throughout and one for College. He's a self-made man and he doesn't even realize how well he's doing.

Sadly, he's withdrawn, in some ways, and this keeps him from making friends, which keeps him from realizing that the Brothers aren't helping him. George has no yardstick to measure "good" or "bad" intentions. He's very accepting of what comes his way....while thinking negatively about himself.

[Janelle]

Yes Connie, I found a short article about Dickens and religion:

https://dickens.ucsc.edu/resources/fa...

‘In all his writings, Charles Dickens—a Christian of the broadest kind—is outspoken in his dislike of evangelicalism and Roman Catholicism, but, especially in his fiction, he is very reluctant to make professions of a specific faith beyond the most general sort of Christianity. Nothing more surely aroused his suspicions about a person's religious faith than a public profession of it, and this aversion formed a fundamental feature of his dislike of evangelicals and dissenters.’

[Bridget]

Thanks for doing that research Janelle. It put me in mind of perhaps what I find so admirable in Dickens writing. He has this way of getting at the truth, especially about religion, that I love.

Like when George says in this chapter:
"outside their place of meeting these brothers and sisters were no better than the rest of the human family, but on the whole were, to put the case mildly, as bad as most...their investment of the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth with their own miserable meanness and littlenesses, greatly shocked me"

I'm so impressed with how far George as come in life given the psychological torment he suffered that others have mentioned previously. Makes me wonder, where are the adults in this story? I guess sadly, some children (even now) never have the luxury of a caring parent or guardian.

[Connie]

Thanks for the article about religion, Janelle.

I had to laugh when Brother Gimblet retracted what he had said at the previous Sunday--after Brother Hawkyard gave him a share of the bounty. He blamed God for his words: "It was in a good hour, likewise, that I was moved yesterday to depict for the terror of evil-doers a character the direct opposite of Brother Hawkyard's. But it was the Lord that done it: I felt him at it while I was perspiring."

[Connie]

George must be in his teens now since he is going away to the university. His parents and the evangelists have made him think that it is evil to want anything for himself because he would be worldly. He's so emotionally isolated. I wonder if he feels that he does not deserve friendship or love. George is very intelligent in most ways, but does not possess social intelligence or "street smarts."

[Janelle]

George has enough intelligence not to join Hawkyard’s congregation. Usually religious groups are good at recruiting lonely people, but George sees right through them even if he doesn’t admit it out loud.

Hawkyard is an awful person, but then Dickens gives us Brother Gimblet who is even more objectionable!

[Connie]

Janelle wrote: "George has enough intelligence not to join Hawkyard’s congregation. Usually religious groups are good at recruiting lonely people, but George sees right through them even if he doesn’t admit it out..."

That's a good thought, Janelle. He doesn't set up a big confrontation, but just slips away to the next phase of his life, which was "street smart." I was mostly thinking of social intelligence in terms of interacting with other people, making social connections, and enjoying the company of others.

[Janelle]

Seventh Chapter

Timid, George lives an isolated life at college. He aims for the clerical profession and in time is ordained. He made some money coaching other students and was a good teacher. One called Fareway, a baronets son, George advised to not sit for an exam as he wouldn’t pass. He left without a degree. His mother insisted George return half his fee because of this, which he did!
Two years later Fareway returns to George’s rooms and says his mother would like to meet him.
Lady Fareway offers him a position as a clergyman (a presentation) in North Devonshire with a cottage, he’d be able to take students. She also required him to help with her accounts etc. She also wanted him to teach her daughter, Adelina. Lady Fareway makes comments hoping he isn’t ‘mercenary’.


A transition chapter, George is still a lonely figure at University, but he’s hard working and a conscientious teacher. Lady Fareway, described by her son as a ‘managing woman’, straight away wants more from George, help with accounts etc all for his clergyman position.
Comparing her daughter to Lady Jane Grey , ‘the ill-fated queen of England for nine days after the death of Edward VI, was noted for her devotion to learning and, in particular,for her fluent command of Latin and Greek.’

[Sara]

Yet another person who wishes to take advantage of George. He returns the money, which no one else would have done, and she pegs him as someone she can manage, being a "managing woman".

The clergy position comes with established duties, but she expects him to help with her accounts and include the tutoring of yet another of her children. Her hopes that he is not "mercenary" echo the mothers unjust "worldly" comments.

[JenniferAustin]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Lovely to see you here Jennifer :)"

Lovely to be here, and lovely to see you! I really enjoyed the story!

I was thinking about it again this morning, and how much I liked the construction of it.

[Petra]

George is growing into a kind and gentle man, although isolated and without good guidance & advice.

I was surprised that he went into the clerical profession after his experience with the Brothers and that congregation.

I have another take on the Lady Fareway. She may have been impressed that George was honest with her son and returned the money. She may see him as an honest man that she can trust, which is a good person for the clerical position she's trying to fill and she contacted him.

As for the other duties, the former cleric did these duties, too, so they may be a condition of employment.

Lastly, her name implies a goodness. Dickens is keen on names that describe a person's inner being. LOL.

I have hopes that maybe George has met someone he can trust and who is interested in him and sees him for the good person he is.

[Connie]

Petra, Lady Fareway's name has the wore "fare" in it, money that a person has to pay. If it were spelled "fair," we could be thinking about beauty, goodness, or honesty. It probably is a clever play on words by Dickens because she pretends to be honest, but she's really a swindler.

[Petra]

That would be sad, Connie. George has had enough swindlers in his life already. He needs a friend.

You are right, though. I may be hoping against Hope that George has found a friend at last.


Janelle, I'm enjoying the reading schedule. It is making the story rather suspenseful and I look forward to reading the next chapter every day.

[Bridget]

The way everyone takes advantage of George reminds me of David Copperfield. Im thinking of how the waiter tricked young David into giving up his food. Or his first landlord (what was her name?) who was always drinking and taking advantage of him. It took David a long long time to stop being so naive (if ever he actually got there is questionable). But David had people help him along the way. Poor George is so alone.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Connie and Janelle - two of our Unitarian members have said that Charles Dickens was particularly sympathetic to their branch of Christianity, so it was good to see this confirmed by the Santa Cruz Dickens Project, which I've come across before :) Thanks!

I always feel happy to recommend Charles Dickens to members of any religion, or none, as so often it is not the Scriptures he refers to (although it can be) but the moral precepts behind them.

[Janelle]

Good point about Fareway the name, Connie.

Glad you’re enjoying it, Petra :)

[Sue]

I read the entire story a bit ago so I know what happens. I won’t say anything spoilerish. But that’s why I have been very quiet.

[Janelle]

Eighth Chapter

Adelina is bright and beautiful. George at the time is 30 (at time of writing he is 60) and he falls in love with her. That love was a burden and he kept it secret.
At some stage George discovers that Adelina also loves him. He knows that she is beyond him, in wealth status etc. He did not want her ‘bound to poor rusty plodding Me. No. Worldliness should not enter here at any cost.’

At the time he has a student living with him, in the second of three years. He was a well connected orphan who’s uncle was paying for his studies. ‘He was well-looking, clever, energetic, enthusiastic, bold; in the best sense of the term, a thorough young Anglo Saxon. I resolved to bring these two together.’


This is a bittersweet chapter. I was glad George loves someone and she loves him back but at the same time knowing there’s no way they could be together as a couple. Still George is judging himself against ‘worldliness’, the word thrown at him his whole life.

[Sara]

I also found this chapter extremely sad. He is again doing what is good for someone else and detrimental to himself. Her life, with him, would be so much "less" in a worldly sense, but can you imagine anyone loving her better. I couldn't help thinking that, if the roles were reversed, the man having money and the girl in poverty, it would still be difficult, but it would be possible. Sadly, had he inherited the money Hawkyard stole from him, he might be an acceptable suitor.

Can't help reflecting that all the bad things in his life seem to bring out all the good in him. How easily might it have gone the other way and left him bitter and mean.

[Bridget]

I agree with Sara and Janelle, this chapter was so sad. I can't decide if setting Adelina up with his student is a masochistic act or an admirable act of selfless. If its the former, I'm not sure George would even be aware of it because of the lack of any nurturing or love in his life. This story is delving into the psyche in deep ways. Dickens is quite ahead of his time with this kind of psychology.

[Janelle]

I originally only found an illustration for chapter nine which I’ll upload with this evenings summary but last night I found one for chapter 6. So I have added it to that summary HERE

(I’m also practising how to do links and add pictures, I’ve never done it before!)

[Janelle]

It’s not really how I pictured the Brothers Hawkyard and Gimblet, but I do like how greedy they look collecting all that money to themselves.

[Sara]

Thanks so much for the illustration, Janelle. I always love seeing them. Not exactly how I had pictured them either, but the greed does come through and I like the sharp nose on Hawkyard (like a hawk's beak) and his hands look grasping and evil.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I really like that one Janelle! Thank you :) Here he is: Luke Fildes.

[Connie]

Great illustration, Janelle! Thanks for sharing it.

[Janelle]

Ninth Chapter

Over the next year or so, George makes himself more fatherly and less interesting to Adelina and introduces his student, Granville Wharton to her. They got along well at their first meeting, and the mixed emotions of pleasure and pain that George experiences causes his hair to turn grey.
When the young couple are of age they ask their tutor to marry them and George( his hair now white!) agrees even though he knows Lady Fareway would disapprove.



Illustration by Maurice Greiffenhagen 1898 from an edition of Hard Times and other stories.

Lady Fareway looks upon George with scorn when he approaches her after he has seen the young couple off. When he tells her they are married, she slaps him and calls him “a worldly wretch”. Lady Fareway assumes that George is bing paid by Granville, his student , out of adelinas money. Lady Fareway insists he resign and tells him he has made an enemy, that she had great plans to marry Adelina for more wealth. She calls George a ‘shrewd hypocrite’ and a ‘cunning schemer’. She then goes on to say ‘I had my projects for my daughter; projects for family connection; projects for fortune.’
George protests his innocence but she doesn’t believe him. Lady Fareway is vicious in her threats. A great stir was created, but George wasn’t suspended. Some friends including the young couple stand by him and eventually he gets a college position. And that is where he now pens his explanation.




Lady Fareway is the hypocrite! One second accusing George of scheming for a share of Adelina’s money, next breath saying how her plans were to marry Adelina for more wealth!
George is still a solitary man at the end of the story but he has at least a few people who have come to know and appreciate.

[Janelle]

Themes and other rambling thoughts

-Childhood trauma having lasting affect

-“Worldliness” George is constantly being accused of this though it seems to me his accusers are the greedy ones( hypocrisy another theme perhaps?)

-looking back at his life and reflecting on why he did things. Others may have misjudged him for his actions . Writing his explanation George seems to be seeking acceptance, and asking whether he has been a good man.

-it seems a mature story to me. There’s not a lot of humour and it’s more realistic in a way, the bad guys don’t get what they deserve and George never gets his inheritance.

-is it just me or is it funny that Dickens got paid so much money (£1000) for this story?

[Janelle]

And lastly an image I can find only on Getty images which Goodreads won’t let me upload so I’ll post the link

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail...

Seems to fit perfectly this line from right at the end of the story:
I pen it at my open window in the summertime; before me lying the churchyard, equal resting place for sound hearts, wounded hearts, and broken hearts.

I’m not sure where it’s from. It says Duncan 1890 under the Getty images watermark but I can’t find it anywhere else.

[Connie]

I love the illustrations that you found, Janelle.

In today's world, educators emphasize how important the first three years of a child's life are in predicting their future. A part of George remained in the past, feeling like the insecure child that was always reprimanded unless he was totally selfless and "unworldly."

George had a few close friends and was respected as an excellent tutor. He probably would have been a devoted husband to someone if he had opened up a little, but his early experiences may have made that too difficult for him. He was a keen observer of other people, but did not fully participate in life.

Thanks for hosting such an excellent story, Janelle.

[Bridget]

Thank you Janelle for picking this story, and for a great job leading the discussion. I wouldn't have read this for a long time if you hadn't picked it out, which would have been a shame because its a story with a lot of depth.

[Petra]

This story makes me sad.
The insecurities put on a person, as a child, can lead them to lead a life like George's. He's not truly involved in Life and keeps himself separate from possible companions.
There's a time in our lives when we have to take control of our futures and try our hardest to put the past behind us. I think George's time for this crucial decision was when he realized the he and Adelina were in love. Instead of acting on that love and deciding his (and her) future, he sidestepped.
He led a good life, with enough financial security to not have to worry, but he never questioned or took control of his life.

I would have liked to see him question some things that happened to him, believe in himself a little bit and take some action. He was very passive.

This is a great story to show how poverty and ill treatment in one's early life can damage one's soul in many ways, leading one to allow others to take advantage.

[Sara]

Marvelous story and terrific presentation, Janelle.

I found it interesting that Dickens did not mete out any justice to the thieves, and even though George is not without a job or friendless in the end, he has sacrificed everything he loves and will live a quite solitary life from here. What he might salvage is his reputation, but I wonder if anyone other than George really knows it was tarnished, so perhaps his explanation is futile and only serves to give him some release.

[Sue]

I’m wondering who the explanation is for. Was it clarified in the beginning? I don’t recall seeing that. Is this explanation really for himself, a summing up of major points in his life so far, perhaps “the” major points as he is unlikely to live an exciting or notorious life in the future.

[Janelle]

Yes, Sue the last sentence is ‘I pen it for the relief of my own mind, not foreseeing whether or no it will ever had a reader.

Thanks so much everyone for the great discussion! I’ve really enjoyed going through this story with you all :))

[Sue]

Thanks Janelle. I guess I was impatient or missed that ending, rather oddly. Great discussion.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

This has been a wonderful way to end our summer reads. Thank you so much for your expert lead, Janelle, and everyone for your valuable contributions. It has been quite a thought-provoking read.