Oliver Twist: Intro comments and Chapters 1 - 8

[Chris]

I am joining in as well, although I will be off the grid for a week or so the end of May into June. I have seen probably every iteration of Oliver Twist on stage and screen and the stage musical Oliver was the first musical I ever performed in; yet I have never read the book. I have The Modern Library edition with an intro by Philip Pullman and illustrations by Cruikshank. Looking forward to the reading and discussions.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Chris wrote: "I am joining in as well, although I will be off the grid for a week or so the end of May into June. I have seen probably every iteration of Oliver Twist on stage and screen and the stage musical Ol..."

YAY Chris! That's fantastic, and I look forward to your comments when you can 😊 You will have a unique perspective! And I think you'll get a lot out of it (and will soon catch up after your break, but thanks for saying).

[Jim]

I'm looking forward to this, having somehow missed out on reading the novel until now. I've obtained (for the moment) the "Everyman's Library" edition by Knopf, which includes a short intro by Michael Slater and Chesterton's intro as an appendix but no notes at all, so not much in the way of spoilers.
Those like myself who often rely on a public library may find themselves obliged to return the book and borrow a different edition a couple of times over the course of our group read. That may aggravate the issue of spoilers.

[Karin]

Chris wrote: "I am joining in as well, although I will be off the grid for a week or so the end of May into June. I have seen probably every iteration of Oliver Twist on stage and screen and the stage musical Ol..."

As a former thespian, my curiosity is peaked. Who did you play? (note that I also think some of the most fun roles are not the leads)

[Kathleen]

How exciting--it sounds like there are a number of readers with extensive knowledge about this one. I will be the resident newbie, since I've not read it or seen the play, and don't think I've even seen a film version! I got my lovely library copy, and like Jim, know I'll have to exchange it for a different edition at some point, but that should be okay. I did that with Bleak House, even listening to audio between books for a bit, and it was fine.

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Only two more days! I can't wait to get started reading Oliver Twist for the first time. I also intend on reading the side read, Dickens and the Workhouse: Oliver Twist and the London Poor starting in June.

I may need to get stronger glasses by the end of this book, however! LOL I ordered a hardback Original Edition of Oxford's World Classics because it had all 24 George Cruikshank, but did not realize it was so small! It is only 4" x 6" (10 cm x 16 cm)! I'm also disappointed that it contains no notes, but that makes me doubly more excited to be reading it with Jean and the rest of the Dickensians!

[Teresa]

I joined this group a long time ago but just couldn't find the time to read the books. I'm going to try to join in this one as Oliver Twist is a favorite of mine. I have a collection of his books that I got nearly fifty years ago. It says it's a Centennial Edition distributed by Heron Books and it has the George Cruikshank illustrations. It actually smells musty :)
Hope I can keep up. I'm a bit daunted about it as you all sound so knowledgeable about him.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Jim wrote: "I'm looking forward to this, having somehow missed out on reading the novel until now. I've obtained (for the moment) the "Everyman's Library" edition by Knopf, which includes a short intro by Mich..."

It's so great to have you along too, Jim! Borrowing different editions will be interesting. I would have thought you could renew it (most libraries here allow for renewing 7 times (i.e. 7 x 3 weeks) as long as it has not been reserved by another reader. But different countries - and perhaps even different states - have different rules I suppose. If you don't like e-books, then there's always the Gutenberg online copy if you get stuck for a while!

I like Michael Slater on Charles Dickens very much; he's quite solid in his research. G.K. Chesterton is a bit more quirky and opinionated, but still well worth reading I think.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Kathleen wrote: "How exciting--it sounds like there are a number of readers with extensive knowledge about this one. I will be the resident newbie, since I've not read it or seen the play, and don't think I've even..."

Great! I think there are quite a few for whom this is their first read of Oliver Twist, which is so exciting as you say! I'm looking forward to all the reactions, Kathleen 😊 Good idea to use audio too!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "I ordered a hardback Original Edition of Oxford's World Classics because it had all 24 George Cruikshank, but did not realize it was so small! ..."

Aw that's a shame ... but at least I can help with the illustrations, as you can look at the larger one by George Cruikshank each time on the thread. At least, if you're on a computer it will be larger! And it is nice to have a hardback to keep, Shirley 😊

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Teresa wrote: "I joined this group a long time ago but just couldn't find the time to read the books. I'm going to try to join in this one as Oliver Twist is a favorite of mine. I have a collection of his books t..."

YAY another recruit! I have a particular fondness for the Centennial Edition, even though I can't read them any more. Mine are the green ones, although I believe there is also a red set from Heron, also leatherette with gold tooling and an incorporated silken bookmark. I had 3 or 4 when they were first published back in 1970 (I used my paper round money to buy them!) and have collected all the rest gradually over the years, from antiquarian bookshops. The 2 final ones I didn't have ("Miscellaneous Papers") were posted to me (incredibly kindly!) by a GR friend who was moving and getting rid of most of his physical books. And they are useful volumes in which to find Charles Dickens's lesser known works.

I'm sure you'll have no problem keeping up, Teresa! And it's fantastic that it's one of your favourites! Please just sit back and enjoy the read 😊

[Werner]

Bionic Jean wrote: "I would have thought you could renew it (most libraries here allow for renewing 7 times (i.e. 7 x 3 weeks) as long as it has not been reserved by another reader. But different countries - and perhaps even different states - have different rules I suppose."

Actually, Jim, most U.S. libraries will let you do that as well.

[Teresa]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I joined this group a long time ago but just couldn't find the time to read the books. I'm going to try to join in this one as Oliver Twist is a favorite of mine. I have a collection..."

Mine is the green hardback with the gold silk book mark. I too bought mine from a Saturday job money :)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Isn't that weird Teresa? If we'd known at the time ... 😄

[Anna]

I'm looking forward to reading with the group. I will be reading on Project Gutenberg. It's very helpful to me because I have poor vision and can read on my 24" computer screen, enlarging the print to make it comfortable for me to read. Something that has bothered me for a while is that there are few large print editions of the classics, at least in my library consortium. And when I've mentioned it to the librarians, they seemed to think that would be because no one was interested in reading them. :(

I think I've read the book in the distant past because I remember the ending surprising me in comparison to some movie I must have watched. I'm looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with Oliver Twist!

[Anna]

PS, I can also download the book onto my computer from Project Gutenberg, to make it even easier to access! Perfect for someone who needs large print but can't find it in a book.

[Luffy Sempai]

Anna wrote: "I have poor vision and can read on my 24" computer screen, enlarging the print to make it comfortable for me to read."

You could purchase a Kindle or Kobo. A Kobo Elipsa, or a Kindle Scribe is a 10 inch e-reader. The screen will protect your eyes and you can enlarge the font. Many people with poor eyesight got back into reading with an e-ink reader.


Last Movie: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado, 2022) 3/10

[Susan]

I would like to join in. I’ve read the book several times before but many years ago. I haven’t chosen an edition yet but it will be on Kindle.

[Franky]

I bought a copy of this novel about 10 years ago, so now I need to go find it. I can't believe that of all the Dickens novels I've read, I haven't read this one after all these years. I've seen various interpretations and film adaptations of this one too. I will try to find my copy and chime in May. Looking forward to it and hearing everyone's thoughts.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Anna wrote: "I'm looking forward to reading with the group. I will be reading on Project Gutenberg. It's very helpful to me ... there are few large print editions of the classics, at least in my library consortium."

Yes, I find the same, and have had to read the previous 3 group reads of Charles Dickens's novels on kindle, as I'm partially sighted. However in this case I have put the Large Print edition on our group bookshelf, which is the one I'm reading. If that's your preferred way (as it is mine) you can get all the details from there Anna, and perhaps order it through interlibrary loan.

My LP edition of "David Copperfield" is a Canadian one; it goes into 2 volumes, but I have English LP editions of Charles Dickens's 4 shortest novels, plus some novellas/short stories. The appropriate editions should be on my personal shelves. I do tend to avoid the indie publications of classics, but you could try those. One - "Read How You Like" - has several font sizes to choose from, but this does mean that a Charles Dickens novel may have 4 or 5 volumes. In fact I gave up on their 24pt edition of Bleak House because, despite the multiple volumes, it was still just too heavy!

I think the librarians you consulted spoke rashly 🙄, and off the top of their heads ... that could be a reason for not having any classics in their library at all! In fact the shorter classics are more likely to be published in LP than a modern literary novel. For instance I have all 6 of Jane Austen's (main) novels in Large Print, but it's a cause for celebration if I actually find a modern novel that has been converted (although you can get some genres such as crime, romances, cowboy stories etc. more easily).

Gutenberg is great! Thanks for reminding everyone how we can use it, (that's where I get any quotations I might post from) and I'm glad this works for you, Anna! Great to have you with us 😊

Thanks too Luffy for the helpful tip for everyone.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Susan wrote: "I would like to join in. I’ve read the book several times before but many years ago. I haven’t chosen an edition yet but it will be on Kindle."

Yes! Welcome back Susan. It's great to have you with us for this read 😊

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Franky wrote: "I bought a copy of this novel about 10 years ago, so now I need to go find it. I can't believe that of all the Dickens novels I've read, I haven't read this one after all these years ..."

Yes, isn't it odd? Several friends have said this as well. Lovely to have you joining in again, Franky 😊

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Thanks too Luffy for the helpful tip for everyone."

Thanks for the mention, Jean. It's a tip I never get tired of repeating throughout various forums, or on YouTube comments sections. I know the devices I tout are still niche, yet might render good services to those who need them. Have a nice day, everyone.


Last Movie: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado, 2022) 3/10

[Sam]

I don't know how many of you have given thought to what you may bring to this particular read of the novel. Aside from my usual interests in what Dickens does with his prose to get the effects he does and how that influenced literature and film, I am particularly interested in looking at what Dickens did that makes this a loved classic. This means I will be looking for elements that Dickens chose that have have extra appeal to the reader of both the period and over time. I hope I find something worth sharing.
Second, I want to read the novel with an eye to getting more caught up in the story as if it were real. Someone might ask, "Why do you think Oliver did such-and-such a thing," and I will answer why I think the author wrote words pertaining to what was done, giving as answer, my thoughts on the author's motivation rather than the character's. I am going to try to maintain thoughts on both for this read and hope I can do so.
I would be interested in what others may be looking to get out of this read, but please don't post in a way that would spoil the book or interrupt Jean's first posts for the read.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Thanks Sam. Your dual aspect is very interesting 😊

1. Although there have been many adaptations of Oliver Twist (as I said earlier), there have been fewer on film than of his other popular novels, in recent years. (Chapter 8 may indicate why, when we come to it.) But "what Dickens does with his prose to get the effects he does and how that influenced literature and film" is going to be particularly pertinent, I think. And I'll be interested to know what you think to the tone Sam, right from the start! Tomorrow's very brief chapter may surprise everyone in this way.

2. "I want to read the novel with an eye to getting more caught up in the story as if it were real." Again, you may find this novel surprising! It's better to talk about this as we go, but for now, please bear in mind that this is almost the first Victorian novel. In fact even that is a misnomer, as Queen Victoria was not even on the throne at the start!

So we cannot expect it to conform to what we now expect in a novel, with extensive character development etc. Charles Dickens has other concerns. Like the 18th century novelists he loved, he tells a great story, but as you so rightly say, it's important to think of "the author's motivation rather than the character's". This is true more in Oliver Twist than in any other of his novels, I think.

"please don't post in a way that would spoil the book or interrupt Jean's first posts for the read".

Thanks for sharing these thoughts about how you read, which are useful indicators, and also for your consideration. I do now ask everyone to read the introductory posts if you have not already done so, or bear them in mind. Remember that Oliver Twist was never intended to be a novel in the first place, so with this more than almost any other 19th century novel, we simply cannot apply our modern expectations as to form or content.

[Plateresca]

Sam, this is very interesting! I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts.

Sam wrote: "I would be interested in what others may be looking to get out of this read"
I am aware of the fact that Jean has just underscored, that this novel is different from Dickens' later work. Still, I think Chesterton (who is, of course, 'quirky and opinionated', as Jean said, but whose opinions I often find worthy of attention) had a point when he said that 'Dickens’s work is to be reckoned always by characters', meaning that all of Dickens' novels have excellent characters, so I am going to pay special attention to characterization. Also, I'm sure there will be a lot of humour, and you know how I like that.

[Chris]

Karin wrote: "Chris wrote: "I am joining in as well, although I will be off the grid for a week or so the end of May into June. I have seen probably every iteration of Oliver Twist on stage and screen and the st..."

It was in the 8th grade & I played Bet. Perfect role for me as a first timer, few speaking lines, 2 duets & lots of crying!!

[Sam]

Great! Two posts and I am already learning new things! I can hardly wait till we begin! Thanks Plateresca and Jean! See all those exclamation marks to prove it! I think Dickens may have influenced me.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Plateresca wrote: "all of Dickens' novels have excellent characters ..."

Absolutely! I shouldn't really have mentioned any later style Charles Dickens was to develop, though. I should have expressed it another way, as it's not helpful to enjoying our focussed way of reading Oliver Twist. We need to be "in the moment".

So, tempting though it is to look at the novel as a whole, let's just remember that all his public know of Charles Dickens "now", a young man just turning 25 years of age, is what he has written already. What will be in their minds is the ongoing (yet to be completed) The Pickwick Papers, which has literally hundreds of characters and cameo roles. Oliver Twist presents quite a contrast - but we'll see why in due course. And time will tell whether the installments will contain humour, and of what type.

I think it's best to put all this aside for now in our discussions Plateresca and Sam, so that it doesn't affect the read. When we have read it all, it will be great to do these comparisons, and look at Oliver Twist's place in Charles Dickens oeuvre, as G.K. Chesterton and many other critics have.

This will be a huge read, with 60 people in already! So we also need to be aware of the possible number of comments in our latest "Dickensians!" group read of a novel, (which was once described to me as "trying to jump on a moving train!")

Is anyone else joining us tomorrow?

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Cross-posted - LOL Sam 😂!!!

And when a character called "Bet" enters the action, we must all think of Chris's trials 😉

[Sue]

I wasn't going to join this since I read it (for the first time) in 2021 and I'm also terribly behind on everything, but Jean's email was just too enticing! 2-3 pages a day, with a day in-between seems very doable. If I made Somebody's luggage work, I can make this work!

I love all your pre information, Jean. The Pickwick Papers is my least favorite of the 8 Dickens novels I've read but it's amazing that he was writing this with that and often juggled multiple stories.

When I read this one previously it was with the Amazon Classics Kindle addition that had an audio paired with it. I noticed that the audio was an hour short of what Jean mentioned so it appears that it was abridged. (It says it was re-edited). I decided to get this Kindle copy that says it's unabridged and also has illustrations by George Cruikshank:
https://www.amazon.com/Oliver-Twist-C...

[Lori]

Chris wrote: "Karin wrote: "Chris wrote: "I am joining in as well, although I will be off the grid for a week or so the end of May into June. I have seen probably every iteration of Oliver Twist on stage and scr..."

Chris, I was a senior in HS and played the role of Bet! How fun to know someone else who did that. I agree, it was not too much but I was terrified of the singing. I have pictures of the cast in our costumes and all that stage makeup! Good memories!

[Jane]

Sue wrote: "I wasn't going to join this since I read it (for the first time) in 2021 and I'm also terribly behind on everything, but Jean's email was just too enticing!"

Ditto, Sue!

I had been on the fence about joining this read. On the one hand, I read Oliver Twist just last year (unabridged, for the first time) and there are so many other books I'm eager to read. On the other hand, Jean is leading! The Dickensians! message in my inbox, reminding me this is a once a year thing, was the clincher.

[Sue]

Jane wrote: "Sue wrote: "I wasn't going to join this since I read it (for the first time) in 2021 and I'm also terribly behind on everything, but Jean's email was just too enticing!"

Ditto, Sue!

I had been on..."

Jane - I'm also committing to more rereading and even put it on a challenge to re-read 6 books this year so this will help fulfill that challenge. Like you, I didn't realized that there was only one novel a year, so now I'll try to participate whether I've read recently or not (the 8 I've read have all been within the last 6 years).

[Jane]

As Sue has wisely mentioned, much can be gained from re-reading a book. I'm sure there is much I have forgotten, or not picked up on, in my previous reading of Oliver Twist. I feel that spending some time with all you knowledgeable Dickensians! will help me to appreciate the humour and nuance in Dickens' writing. At this present time, I feel inclined to be a fly on the wall (for the most part, though I may chip in from time to time). I hope you don't mind. Thank you in advance!

(By the way, Sam, I had not noticed Dickens' (over)use of exclamation marks! Most likely, because I suffer from the same affliction. Can this really be the only place in the world where those with my particular condition are truly accepted?!😂)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Sue wrote: "I wasn't going to join this since I read it (for the first time) in 2021 and I'm also terribly behind on everything, but Jean's email was just too enticing! ..."

LOL Sue I'm so glad you had a change of heart - and Jane too! 😀 Welcome!

You can always skim over some parts of the threads if you like, to save time, since you both read it so recently. But on the other hand I do believe there will be new information to you - or aspects revealed by our discussions. Just take what you like from it, and comment or not as you like too. Comments are always welcome, but please do not feel you need to comment daily ... it would become unmanageable if everyone did this, anyway!

Sue - That is the kindle edition I use too! I downloaded that one out of half a dozen samples, so that I can read it when I'm in hospital waiting rooms etc., as I don't like to cart a Large Print book around with me. That one has a straightforward active table of contents, whereas some which include the whole chapter titles go on for far too many pages! Yes, it is complete.

Jane - "The Dickensians! message in my inbox, reminding me this is a once a year thing, was the clincher." Yes, we savour our Charles Dickens novels here. They are precious!

Thank you both for your lovely encouraging comments. I hope you thoroughly enjoy the experience 😊

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Lori - That's amazing you and Karin both played the same role! I'm sure we'd all love to see a photo ... 🧡

[JP]

I'm hoping to join. The chance to read this book (for the first time) in a group is hard to pass up. Alas, I'm also a little over halfway through Dombey and Son and will need to read both for a couple of weeks until I finish that one.

[Jenny]

I was very excited when I opened my edition and saw George Cruckshanks illustration! I forgot they were included LOL!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

That's great, JP - good to have you along. You'll find the chapters in Oliver Twist much shorter than those in Dombey and Son, so hopefully won't have any problem with the overlap 😊

Do tell us a bit about yourself in our welcome thread if you like! And by the way we had a very lively group read of Dombey and Son, if you'd like to look over those threads some time. In fact two or three members are still commenting there!

[Peacejanz]

Question-- I am new to this site - does this mean I will read Chapter 1 on May 1, chapter 2 on May 2, Chapter 3 on May 3 and No discussion of future reading, etc. I would only be able to comment or question about Chapter 1 on May 2, i.e., after all have read Chapter 1? thanks for doing this B.Jean. peace, janz

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Peacejanz wrote: "Question-- I am new to this site - does this mean I will read Chapter 1 on May 1, chapter 2 on May 2, Chapter 3 on May 3 and No discussion of future reading, etc. I would only be able to comment or..."

Basically yes Jan - no discussion whatsoever of future chapters please, as we are replicating how the original readers read it (but faster!) If you look at the beginning of this thread it tells you the exact timetable. We have a day's break at the end of each installment, and I'll remind you of this each time it happens. For tomorrow though, please just read chapter 1.

Welcome to the read! It's lovely to see you here Jan, and as I said to JP, do tell us a bit about yourself in our welcome thread if you like 😊

[Brenda]

Hello everyone! I’m jumping in for this read. I have never read Oliver Twist and am looking forward to the group read.

I just borrowed a Bantam Classics edition from my library. I love Dickens but I get so caught up in his stories! Dombey just about did me in…

[Brenda]

Looks like my comment was edited.

Dombey just about did me in. 🤦‍♀️😊

[Peacejanz]

Peacejanz wrote: "Question-- I am new to this site - does this mean I will read Chapter 1 on May 1, chapter 2 on May 2, Chapter 3 on May 3 and No discussion of future reading, etc. I would only be able to comment or..."

About me - have been on group reads before and just hate it when someone brings up future stuff. I am 80 years old, retired university prof (in business), did lots of stuff - teaching high school, real estate broker and teacher, Peace Corps Volunteer in Korea and have loved reading all my life (thanks, Mom and Dad). I read too much, have a very messy house but an up-dated will. Thanks for doing this. peace, janz

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Welcome back Brenda, I'm pretty sure you'll find Oliver Twist easier to handle (shorter chapters!) than Dombey and Son but with a great story just the same. I'm delighted you're joining in again 😊

and thanks Janz - I've copied your intro into our welcome thread, so it doesn't get lost!

If anyone comes on this thread and ever find it locked, please don't worry! Just come back in half an hour (or earlier) as it means I'm uploading today's posts, and the links and illustrations are fiddly, and take a little while!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Installment 1:

Chapter 1:

One day a child is born the workhouse. It could be any place, or any date, we are told.



As the infant struggles for survival, the pretty young mother’s life is ebbing. “Mrs Thingummy”, an old pauper, has assisted the attending surgeon, (while secretly helping herself to the contents of a green bottle). She explains to the doctor that the young woman was unknown and had been brought in the night before, after being found lying in the street.

At the sound of her child’s voice, the mother murmurs faintly: “Let me see the child and die.” The doctor is kindly, but both wishes are granted. As he leaves, he looks at the girl’s left hand and comments: “The old story: no wedding-ring.” Leaving instructions for the baby to be fed gruel (a thin mixture of water and oats or other grains) if “it” cries, the doctor leaves to eat his dinner. The nurse takes another swig from her flask before wrapping the baby in a blanket. We are told the baby is a boy, and now we see this newly arrived inmate clothed in old garments that have seen much service. Thus he is immediately “badged and ticketed … a parish child—the orphan of a workhouse—the humble, half-starved drudge—to be cuffed and buffeted through the world—despised by all, and pitied by none.”

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

In case anyone is wondering, “Daffy” was a trade-named laxative that the pauper assisting the surgeon mixed with gin. This is presumably why the word green is repeated several times. It was named after a 17th century cleric Thomas Daffy, and originally called “Daffy’s Elixir Salutis”—a medicine made from a tropical shrub. “Daffy” became slang for unmixed gin.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Oh my goodness what an opening, from the very first sentence! I don’t think I’ve ever read a more sarcastic, vicious attack right at the start of a novel. And Oliver Twist has one of the longest opening sentences I can remember, with all those semi-colons!

Charles Dickens leaves us in doubt as to how angry he is, yet the writing is clever, as although the sarcasm seems relentless, it is entertaining too. It is so very sardonic, and yet the humour ensures that we don’t stop reading! “Mrs. Thingummy” is so funny, secretly swigging from her green bottle to sustain her. And oh dear, 13 babies, but only 2 survived.

This makes us wince. It is tragic, but commonplace, and presented in such a way that it is amusing, because Charles Dickens cleverly uses a comic character to tell us. The name “Mrs Thingummy” has two effects. We laugh at it, but are also aware that it probably means she could be anyone—any of the many paupers there—and the surgeon does not care enough to find out who (although he seems to be kind to the well-dressed dying mother). Poor Oliver, he cannot be named, nor his mother, and the reader must look at the chapter title instead.

Almost everything here is stating a fact through a negative. The narrator says that being born in the workhouse: “was the best thing for Oliver Twist that could possibly have occurred” because it forced him to overcome his breathing difficulties on his own. However it might be interesting to see how often in Oliver Twist Charles Dickens uses his characters as mouthpieces, to express his own personal judgements.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

So can you imagine the thoughts of Charles Dickens’s original readers? As I said in the intro, The Pickwick Papers had made him very popular—but his public would be expecting more outright hilarity, after a few Pickwickian romps and sketches in “Bentley’s Miscellany”. Here they do not get entertaining froth and bubble, but a vivid deathbed scene right at the start, and writing which is full of sarcasm, with caustic indictments of folly and evil. And look at the savagely stark description:“She imprinted her cold white lips passionately on its forehead; passed her hands over its face; gazed wildly round; shuttered; fell back—and died.”

“Its forehead”? That is significant. Charles Dickens wants us to pay attention to a face that is important, just as he focused our attention on the young woman’s “pale face”, but neither has a name just as “Mrs. Thingummy” does not. Already we have a great mystery. The mother had been found lying in the street: “but where she came from, or where she was going to, nobody knows.” Chilling indeed.