CharlesDickens

Telescopic Philanthropy Covers a Multitude of Sins

Looking a Long Way Off I’m only a little way into Charles Dickens’ Bleak House, but I couldn’t help but be impressed by his Mrs. Jellyby. The reader gets a first impression of her from the “biography” given by Mr. Kenge. “Mrs. Jellyby,” he says, “is a lady of very remarkable strength of character who devotes herself entirely …

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Refusing Transience, Lessons from Mr. Peggotty

It is probably true that no one knows the value of strong relational ties like those who have experienced them and lost them. And perhaps, I have to some extent. But for me, a more familiar sense is the persistent and gentle ache of not having something essential. To be clear, the fact that I …

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“Ode to an Expiring Frog”

Allow me to celebrate, with Pickwickians everywhere, this, from the illustrious hand of no less a personage than the grand and eloquent authoress, Mrs. Leo Hunter: ‘Can I view thee panting, lying On thy stomach, without sighing; Can I unmoved see thee dying On a log, Expiring frog!’ ‘Say have fiends in shape of boys …

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