Buddy Read of Little Dorrit mid-Sept onwards with Janelle, Bridget, Lori and others Showing 951-1,000 of 1,118

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

'Flora's Tour of Inspection' - Phiz

[Fiona]

Wonderful illustration, Jean. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Lori]

I love this one and the one with Affery covering herself with her apron.

[Bridget]

I love both of those too Lori. Flintwinch looks so menacing here. I really liked your thoughts about spousal abuse. I've thought that too, and its made me wonder if Victorians would have noticed that as well. Or are we more aware because we are 21st Century readers.

Also, good point Fiona about no footprints in the dust. Its all so mysterious.

[Sue]

Was spousal abuse a crime or more a moral issue in Dickens’ day. At that time, wives essentially belonged to their husbands, didn’t they? While some might not like what Flintwinch is doing to Affery, would the law care unless he went too far?

I’m so curious what she could tell Arthur. And Flora—leaning on Arthur like a school girl. I loved when Affery said she couldn’t say anything because Flora would blab everything.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Sue wrote: "Was spousal abuse a crime or more a moral issue in Dickens’ day. At that time, wives essentially belonged to their husbands, didn’t they? While some might not like what Flintwinch is doing to Affer..."

Nobody would have said anything anyway LINK HERE

It's the next comment after the one Bridget linked to, with the 2 illustrations Lori mentioned.

Also, from Wiki:

""The Rule of Thumb" was introduced [in the UK] which prohibited a husband beating his wife with a rod thicker than his thumb. Although this provided women protection from excessive beating, it also kept the abuse hidden.

It wasn't until 1895 when domestic abuse was restricted to only be permitted during the day, between the hours of 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, due to the noise of wife-beating leading to too many complaints in London.

It was in the 1970s when the social shift began and following women's marches for Reclaim the Night protests, the world's first refuge for domestic violence victims opened. The first known use of the term domestic violence in a modern context, meaning violence in the home, was in an address to the Parliament of the United Kingdom by Jack Ashley in 1973."

It's much later than we think! I remember that time ... and the subsequent opening of women's refuges.

[Bridget]

Thank you Jean for giving us just a little bit more of that history. It is really sad that took so long to become a crime. And it is good to remember lots of women (and men) fought really hard to achieve that, and like you said it all happened not too long ago.

[Bridget]

Link to Book 2 Chapter 24 Summary

Three months have passed since the death of the Dorrit borthers in Italy. Mr. Merdle is still the talk of the town, and that talk is now of giving him a peerage, or baronetcy. The Sparklers have moved into their own house, and Fanny was about to begin the destruction of the Bosom, when The Courier from Italy arrives with news of the tragedy. The Sparklers go into a period of mourning, which leads to a great deal of boredom on Fanny’s part as she is trapped at home with Mr. Sparkler.

But grieving is not the only reason Fanny doesn’t go out into society right now. The other, reason is that she is pregnant.

”I find myself in a situation which to a certain extent disqualifies me for going into society.”.

Edmund attempts to cheer Fanny by reminding her that her sister Amy will likely soon arrive. Fanny is truly looking forward to Amy’s arrival, even though will also require "rousing". It turns out Edward is ill with Malaria, and Amy has been nursing him back to health. The settlement of the Dorrit Estate has been postponed until Edward is sufficiently recovered. The papers and documents Mr. Dorrit arranged on his last trip to England are still sealed and locked up with his agents until Edward arrives. Fanny is relieved because she thinks no provisions have been made for Mrs. General. In fact, before Edward was too sick, he paid off Mrs. General and sent her away.

Towards the end of the very long and tedious day, there is an odd knock on the Sparkler’s door:

”Low as if to avoid making a noise and attracting attention. Long, as if the person knocking were pre-occupied in mind and forgot to leave off”

The unexpected visitor is Mr. Merdle. From the start he is acting rather strange. He was to dine with Mrs. Merdle, but he didn’t feel hungry, so he let her take the carriage and went for a walk instead. He pushes a chair around the room ”like a dull man with a pair of skates on for the first time” and then sits down and stares at his hat. He wipes his hand “over his yellow forehead”. When asked if he is alright he says “I am as well as I usually am. I am well enough. I am as well as I want to be

The visit is short, and before he leaves – to walk home – he asks weirdly, for a penknife (which is a knife used to cut the nibs off quills). Fanny gives him one of her penknives, but he asks for one with a darker handle and she obliges his request. When he says goodbye he “entombs’’ Fanny’s hand in his coat cuff.

Fanny is beyond frustrated with this longest day. She steps out onto the balcony for some fresh air. Tears of vexation at the state of her life fill her eyes and cause her to see Mr. Merdle "gyrate" as he walks down the street “as if he were possessed by several Devils”.

[Bridget]

I was surprised that Fanny is pregnant. But as Sparkler says "It was to be expected". I'm not sure Fanny is right that Mrs. General will get nothing from the estate. Edward may have sent her away, but the estate papers are still locked up. And we know Mr. Dorrit was planning to propose to Mrs. General when he left England.

I'm very worried about Mr. Merdle!

[Lori]

Thanks for the summary Bridget! I did not catch the pregnancy clue at all. I assumed she couldn’t go out because of mourning but that wouldn’t make sense. That is surprising. She must be in her final trimester and will be confined when Amy arrives. I wonder if that fits the timetable from her marriage date.

Mr. Merdle seems lost and in his head as if he’s worrying. Still wiping his yellow forehead.

[Lori]

The talk about the will seems curious as if we should take note.

[Bridget]

I didn’t pick up on the pregnancy either Lori. The notes section of my book explained it to me!!

[Antoinette]

I didn’t pick up on the pregnancy either. Thanks for pointing it out, Bridget. I wonder if Mr Merdle is in trouble financially. I remember the unease that Clennam and Doyce spoke of with speculation investing. I think money and the making of it is his driving force and the only thing that could unhinge him. I also wondered about his need for the letter opener.

[Fiona]

Add me to the list of bewildered re the pregnancy as I also thought she was referring to her period of mourning. If there are any French & Saunders fans out there, Fanny’s behaviour reminds me of the sketches in which Saunders was always beyond bored with life and nothing French, her ‘comedy partner’, could say would snap her out of it. Poor Sparkler can’t do right for doing wrong!

It always seems to me as if Mr Merdle doesn’t have his worries to seek. It felt to me like he visited because he needed someone to talk to but can’t. His behaviour suggests that he is somewhere on the autism spectrum as he never makes eye contact and seems uncomfortable in company. I can’t imagine what the penknife is for unless he intends to harm himself or someone else.

[Janelle]

I agree with Antoinette. Mr Merdle is in trouble financially. That’s why he says Mrs General won’t be getting anything because there’s probably nothing left!
What does he want with the penknife? That’s a bit sinister almost. He seems quite depressed.

I didn’t pick the pregnancy without notes either! Fanny can go out pregnant is my understanding, she doesn’t want to becuase she doesn’t look her best. I think she is upset that she can’t get the attention due to her for her mourning, as her figure is gone and she doesn’t want to be compared to other women. She is so vain!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Victorian women were confined during pregnancy. In fact (I learned this next bit yesterday from a social historian) they weren't really supposed to even leave the bedroom! I can't imagine Fanny (or many) would keep it so strictly, but well-to-do English females would not go out for these months. Some used to have a "monthly nurse" to help them up to and after the birth.

[Janelle]

“What happens then, I ask! What happens? Why, I find myself at the very period when I might shine most in society, and should most like for very momentous reasons to shine in society—I find myself in a situation which to a certain extent disqualifies me for going into society. It's too bad, really!'

'My dear,' said Mr Sparkler. 'I don't think it need keep you at home.' 'Edmund, you ridiculous creature,' returned Fanny, with great indignation; 'do you suppose that a woman in the bloom of youth and not wholly devoid of personal attractions, can put herself, at such a time, in competition as to figure with a woman in every other way her inferior? If you do suppose such a thing, your folly is boundless.”

The way I read this section is the only thing keeping her at home is her figure!
Perhaps Regency England wasn’t as strict as Victorian England?

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Janelle, this is a Victorian novel. It was written in 1855. The Regency era ended 35 years earlier, in 1820 (although some historians include the years up to 1837).

I agree that in this little speech Fanny sounds as if her vanity is the only thing that is stopping her, but we've always found that Fanny deludes herself. She goes from one extreme to the other with Amy - even within one conversation - and it's true to her nature that she would boast in this way. She is certainly not a reliable narrator, telling us Victorian mores.

Edmund Sparkler is dim, talks a lot of nonsense, and continually tries to appease Fanny. She would not be able to go into society. As Fanny says in your first paragraph she is "disqualified" by virtue of being pregnant.

In the second paragraph she is dissembling, having switched ground so that she, her beauteous self, is the centre of attention, and not her pregnancy. But she is evading the question of social convention, in order to score points off her husband and fish for compliments.

If she had ventured out, her mother-in-law (Mrs. Merdle) would be delighted at this evidence of Fanny's low, inappropriate behaviour. She knows that full well, but is sulkily pretending it is for other reasons.

[Sue]

One of Mr. Merdle’s comments particularly struck me. When Fanny expressed her fear that Mrs. General would inherit from Mr. Dorrit, Merdle said she would not, and added she would most definitely would not. This comment made me wonder if perhaps the Dorrits money was lost and, with it, Mr. Merdle’s future. His hoped for peerage, his place in society. When he asked for the penknife, I actually thought of him cutting his wrists though he doesn’t seem the type of man to do that.

[Antoinette]

Yes, I agree, Sue, I do think Mr. Merdle is thinking of harming himself. But then as Fanny is watching him leave, he seems full of energy.

[Bridget]

I also think Mr. Merdle is about to harm himself. I think that's what the penknife is for. Stopping by unannounced to see the Sparklers is very out of character for Mr. Merdle, and more indicative of someone who is saying goodbye. He talks about Mrs. Merdle managing "just fine on her own". Then there is that ominous grave reference of the "entombment" of Fanny's hands.

I like everyone's idea that Mrs. General won't inherit anything, because all the investments through Mr. Merdle are lost. That strikes me as a real possibility.

This great conversation about Fanny's pregnancy (and her vanity) has me wondering something. When Edward says to Fanny "That's to be expected", is that a pun? Would the Victorians refer to a pregnant woman as "expecting"? Because if it is, that's a very clever way to communicate Fanny's condition.

[Sue]

I’m one of those who didn’t pick up about the pregnancy so thanks for all of you who did and pointed out the allusions to it that Dickens provided.

[Janelle]

Jean , I take your point on Fannys self delusion.

(I know the novel was written in 1855, but it’s set in the 1820s, that’s why I used the broader definition regency, but probably should’ve just said preVictorian :) )

[Bridget]

Link to Book 2 Chapter 25 Summary

This chapter starts at the dinner party Mr. Merdle should have attended. The host of the party is the great Physician. Other guests include Ferdinand Barnicle, Mrs. Merdle and Bar.


The narrator’s description of the Physician is interesting and detailed. Because of his profession, he sees the darker places in London, helps whoever he can without judgement and does not boast about his deeds. People are drawn to him, attracted to him because ”where he was, something real was” even though ”his little dinners always presented people in their least conventional light”.

Bar also sees the darker places in his law profession but is more blunt about the things he sees. He wants to know the truth about Mr. Merdle and the peerage rumors, so he slides up to Mrs. Merdle and the two of them banter, in a very flirtatious way about those rumors. Mrs. Merdle is just as in the dark as everyone else when it comes to knowing if Mr. Merdle is to become a Baron. She was hoping to find out from the Physician, but he doesn’t know either.

Later that night (it is almost midnight) the Physician sits alone comfortably reading when there is a ringing at his door. A man is there with a slip of paper that has the Physicians name on it. This man has come from the warm-baths, and he wants the Physician to follow him there immediately. There is an emergency. A man has killed himself in one of the rooms. He left this slip of paper with the Physicians name on it. When the physician arrives there he sees ”the white marble at the bottom of the bath was veined with a dreadful red. On the ledge at the side were an empty laudanum bottle and a tortoise-shell handled penknife – soiled, but not with ink” And just like that, we know who the man is.

The Physician seeks out Bar, who is a neighbor, and because there is still a light on in Bar’s house, the Physician rings at the door. He tells Bar the sad news, and together they go to Harley Street to break the news to Mrs. Merdle. It is now almost morning. They are led to the Chief Butler. When he hears Mr. Merdle is dead, he offers one month’s notice. But when he is told Mr. Merdle’s death is suicide, he renders his resignation immediately. And adds that ”Mr. Merdle was never a gentleman”. We are not told how the Physician tells Mrs. Merdle, only that she handled the news well.

As the truth of Mr. Merdle’s death comes out to the public, so too does the truth of his “complaint”. Turns out Mr. Merdle was a forger and a robber. The greatest financier ever known ”was simply the greatest Forger and the greatest Thief that ever cheated the gallows”

[Bridget]

Wow, that was quite a chapter! Expertly written to build tension.

I thought the Chief Butler's reaction was interesting. How when he learns the death was a suicide, he wants nothing more to do with the Merdles. It shows what a taboo suicide was at that time.

The notes section of my book had something more to say about the laudanum. I'm just going to quote it directely:

Laudanum: Opium dissolved in alcohol, a powerful painkiller and soporific. Mr. Merdle has used it to ease his suicide -- an act which many of Dicken's first readers would have seen as an indicative of cowardice. In the 1820's the penalty for forgery on the Merdle scale would have been hanging"

[Fiona]

Thanks, Bridget, for the summary and the additional information which suggests that Merdle is indeed a forger. I thought the description of him as a forger and a robber was figurative but it seems not. This was quite a breathtaking chapter. As you say, Bridget, Dickens builds up the tension brilliantly.

I enjoyed this passage - Being a great reader (Physician) of all kinds of literature (and never at all apologetic for that weakness), he sat down comfortably to read. It immediately brought to mind Virginia Woolf’s advice to give yourself up to the delights of rubbish-reading!

[Bridget]

Great quotes Fiona! I had not heard Woolf's advice, but I agree with her one hundred percent.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Hi all,

I think you managed to get more than an inkling of Mr. Merdle's intentions quicker than the original group :)

Now that Bridget (and Lori) are doing such great summaries, you probably don't need links to the originals. However can I please draw your attention to the extra research posts on Victorian public baths and John Sadleir ... I've been waiting for this amazing and horrific chapter with bated breath, and don't want you to miss them ... I know you've been finding it difficult to find time to look at much in the original thread, and everyone's observations in our group read.

This is probably the final set of substantial extra information posts I wrote - you won't find anything like it in your notes - especially one bit about the baths which was a surprise to me to discover.

So there's a photo of the warm baths within the summary Bridget already linked to, plus another in the post LINK HERE, with my own digging on where it might be.

Then two posts about John Sadleir, the real life man Mr. Merdle was based on LINK HERE

The trouble with trying to find some of this out online is that spoilers abound. Even googling someone's name might instantly reveal a few words you don't want to hear!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Bridget - please don't feel obliged to keep linking to my summaries, when it's clearly unnecessary.

But I would be very sorry indeed to think that there are members of "Dickensians" who have read Little Dorrit carefully and slowly, as you all are doing, and yet have still missed out on the research which could add so much to your enjoyment, for the sake of a click. Surely it's one of the reasons for being in a group devoted to a specific author, rather than a general group?

I hope you enjoy them. Thank you.

[Daniela]

Mr. Merdle remembered me of Mr. Melmotte of Trollope's The Way We Live Now, (view spoiler)[the same mysteries about them, the same aloofness in their demeanor. And if what is in this chapter is proven true, so also their end is similar. Mr. Melmotte was a fraud and in the end he was ruined and killed himself. (hide spoiler)]

[Daniela]

Anyway The Way We Live Now was written later (1875).

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

No need to repost that section Bridget - I'd linked to it in the previous comment! Maybe edit it out to keep the flow?

I'm glad you picked up on Anthony Trollope's character Daniele, well done :) I had put his name under spoiler tags in my posts though, since not everyone will have read the book.

[Lori]

Jean, I would miss the links to the original thread if we stopped them now. I'm so much a creature of habit and I love being able to go right to your summaries and see the illustrations and comments from the original group of readers. I have appreciated your research and additions that you provide to these reads in order to make the read that much more wonderful and interesting. I love learning about all of the extra bits you research. So, thank you!

[Lori]

I was surprised to not be privy to the conversation with Mrs. Merdle when the Physician revealed the suicide. I can only imagine how this will change her life and possibly Sparkler's and Fanny's. I still have my fingers crossed that Arthur kept out of the investments.

Mr. Merdle is such an agonizing character and especially knowing he was based on a real person makes him that much more sad. It makes me wonder how he got himself into this forgery and robbery. Greed, of course, but we didn't really see that side of him. We've seen Mr. Merdle uncomfortable in social situations and disinterested in Society. He most likely didn't love his wife because she was just the display of the jewels - the exhibition of his wealth. Then I think about the way Dickens chose to have him kill himself, and it is gruesome and I wonder how a person could do such a thing. Usually you hear of slitting wrists. How horrible to do such a cowardly thing after ruining so many lives.

[Bridget]

Bionic Jean wrote: "No need to repost that section Bridget - I'd linked to it in the previous comment! Maybe edit it out to keep the flow?

I'm glad you picked up on Anthony Trollope's character Daniele..."

Good thought Jean, I just deleted my previous post. (I had it there because I missed your first post with the links).

I'm with Lori on keeping your links. I will admit there are days when I don't read them, but they are few as I usually read it all. Its a wealth of information.

[Daniela]

Bionic Jean wrote: "No need to repost that section Bridget - I'd linked to it in the previous comment! Maybe edit it out to keep the flow?

I'm glad you picked up on Anthony Trollope's character Daniele..."

I have corrected the post about The Way We Live Now with the spoiler tags.
It is very interesting about John Sadleir. (view spoiler)[ Mr. Melmotte was a MP and he poisoned himself. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Sue]

Lori, I agree re: Mr. Merdle. He certainly didn’t seem to be enjoying the fruits of his crimes but maybe that was how he won Mrs. Merdle, his prize, and we have only seen him as everything is falling apart.

Another thought I had—since Merdle was also a forger, is anyone’s fortune safe? I wonder if he might have stolen money from anyone who banked with him even if they didn’t invest. Have to admit I don’t know what type of bank he might have been involved with.

It does appear there is going to be a lot of misery ahead for people rich and not so rich at all (thinking of Pancks).

[Bridget]

Link to Book 2 Chapter 26

And so the unraveling of the Merdle Mess begins. If there was any doubt before, it is now clear that Arthur, based on Pancks’ recommendation, invested all of the Clennam & Doyce money with Mr. Merdle. We now have a complete reversal of fortune. Pancks is sincerely regretful of the part he played and pulls out tufts of his hair. Arthur takes all the blame, making sure none of the fault lies with Doyce. Pancks goes to find Mr. Ruggs to see if he can provide any legal help. But, there is really nothing he can do. By the end of the Chapter Clennam is in the Marshalsea, this time as an inmate, not a visitor. He takes over Mr. Dorrit’s old room and in his desolation, cries out for Little Dorrit.

[Bridget]

My summary had to be short today, as I ran out of time, but Jean's original summary is excellent - and includes a couple pictures worth seeing. One is of a plaque on the remaining wall of the Marshalsea prison. The other is a drawing of that prison. I found both really interesting.

In the last chapter, I felt really sad for Mr. Merdle being driven to suicide. But its hard to feel bad for him when we start to see the damage he caused to so many.

I loved how Arthur remained true to his morals and ethics in this chapter.

This chapter would have been the last in an installment for the first readers. I'm glad we only wait until tomorrow to find out what comes next.

[Lori]

I gasped when I realized Arthur had lost everything. And to make it even worse, he says he was going to sell out - what terrible timing. It is a full circle account that Arthur is in the Dorrit’s old room in the Marshalsea. And what a fine example of ethical behavior. I just had hoped he’d been smarter than to have been swept up in the mania. But that would have been a different book.

I’m wondering how many people would have been in Arthur’s position being sent to debtor’s prison? Seems like the prison cells would be overflowing. But this line has me thinking that the Clennam and Doyce loss was in the news and Arthur was the scapegoat.
Thousands of people were wildly staring about for somebody alive to heap reproaches on; and this notable case, courting publicity, set the living somebody so much wanted, on a scaffold.

Amy will be in London soon, so you know she’ll be back in her old room to see Arthur.

[Daniela]

I was speechless at the end of this chapter. I had not expected anything of this kind. Arthur in the Marshalsea!!!!

[Fiona]

I am so disappointed that Arthur invested everything in Merdle’s schemes. I had hoped he was too cautious for that and so I’m struggling to feel sorry for him. It remains to be seen who else will end up in the Marshalsea with him but I’m sure he will have familiar company!

[Sue]

It seems that Arthur could have avoided Marshalsea if he had listened to his lawyer and not published his letter right away. He could have gone to a better place under a different warrant.

(This was the place of the 19century anti Semitic comment as the old man approached Arthur with the warrant.)

Arthur refused to save himself this indignity. He also turned over his personal funds toward what he owed. So he has absolutely nothing. I wonder if the Dorrits have anything left.

[Daniela]

I am sorry for Doyce.

[Janelle]

It doesn’t make much sense to me that Arthur is the subject of public anger, he didn’t set up the investments. He’s a victim like many others and he jumped on board when Merdle fever was everywhere, so he can hardly be alone in losing everything. He’s making sure that no damage falls on Doyce and that is a noble thing to do.

[Lori]

I agree Janelle. It’s strange. Does it seem as if Arthur is so despondent that he wants to be a sacrificial lamb by taking all of the blame for the business? He’s feeling penitent and going to the Marshalsea is his only atonement. I know what you’re saying, why is the public so angry with him because he is just as much a victim as others who invested. It doesn’t make sense.

[Sue]

The public may be angry at Arthur because there is no one else available to vent their anger on. Arthur has been a successful business man so he is, or has been, in a better place socially and economically than many others (like Panck) who invested their money. His lawyer warned him that he would become the “face” of the scandal and he has even though he is actually another victim. Because he was relatively well off, in the public’s view he is the “other” and responsible.

Hopefully, once more news about Merdle gets out, this attack on Arthur will die down. My fear would be that if Merdle had any partners, they would use this to cover their tracks if they can. I’m still wondering about the Barnicles.

[Bridget]

Link to Book 2 Chapter 27 Summary

Arthur settles into life at the Marshalsea and becomes depressed. It is a time of deep contemplation for Arthur, and his thoughts keep coming back to Little Dorrit. There is a very poignant passage by the narrator about how great change brings on this contemplation and depression in most of us:
”None of us clearly know to whom or what we are indebted in this wise, until some marked stop in the whirling wheel of life brings the right perception with it. It comes with sickness, it comes with sorrow, it comes with the loss of the dearly loved, it is one of the most frequent uses of adversity.”

As Arthur sits in the old chair, so deep in contemplation he doesn’t hear the elder Mr. Chivery knocking at his door. Mr. Chivery has come to prepare Arthur for the arrival of young John Chivery, who has taken it upon himself to personally deliver all of Arhtur’s things. He is primarily trying to get Arthur to understand that John is going to seem very strange, but his heart is in the right place, and he asks for Arthur’s patience with Young John.

When John arrives he does indeed behave oddly. He is very cold and abrupt with Arthur, and yet he is also doing very nice things for Arthur. Of course we, the readers, know this is about John’s love for Little Dorrit and we begin to suspect that John, somehow, knows about Little Dorrit’s love for Arthur.

After the deliveries of Arthur’s things are done, Young John sees that Arthur is not eating and invites him over for tea. He tells Arthur if he won’t for himself, he should eat for someone else. The whole time they are together Young John continues his obtuse references to Little Dorrit, and Arthur continues to be completely perplexed. Until finally it all comes to a head and Young John tells Arthur straight out that Little Dorrit is in love with him. In a modern colloquial phrase, this “blows Arthur’s mind!”. He says goodnight to Young John and heads back to his room for more contemplation of this new information.

A little while later Mr. and Mrs. Plornish arrive at his door bringing him some food and company. They talk on and on about Little Dorrit, what she would think about this situation, how good it is she has been spared knowing about this. One gets the feeling that Mrs. Plornish also knew of Little Dorrit’s feelings for Arthur, and that perhaps Arthur was the only one who didn’t know.

The chapter ends with Young John Chivery, and his newest epitaph, which is wonderful and rightly expresses his new “Magnanimous” personality!

[Bridget]

Finally the light is dawning upon Arthur. I loved that quote about the "uses of adversity", because I have found in my own life that times of great upheaval - though painful - come with a silver lining of sorts in that "change of perspective".

I also appreciated all the humor Young John brings to this chapter. We've had a couple heavy chapters and this one felt lighter. One of my favorite quotes that made me smile was this one by Young John

makes me take out my handkercher like a great girl, as people say: though I am sure I don't know why a great girl should be a term of reproach, for every rightly constituted male mind loves 'em great and small!"

[Sue]

Oh Bridget, I’m so glad you chose that part to quote. If I hadn’t read it in bed last night, would have been in my updates. It still may. Young John is proving to be another wonderful character and for him to be the one who opens Arthur’s eyes is just so precious. Arthur is now beginning to realize the wall he has built around his feelings.

I love that Dickens chose to recognize that there is nothing weak about true emotions and allowing them to be seen. This novel, set 200 years ago, has so much for us today!