Charles Dickens' Bicentenary: what is it about Dickens?
Charles Dickens, one of the best-known and most prolific of English authors, was born on 7 February 1812. The bicentenary of his birth this year is being celebrated in countries throughout the world. What is it that makes Dickens so popular? Dickens specialist Dr Wim Tigges gives some of the answers.
Wide audience, so many layers
‘A test of good literature is if you want to re-read it. And people read Dickens over and over again,’ was how Tigges, lecturer at the English Department of Leiden University, summed it up. ‘All kinds of people are interested in reading Dickens. His books appeal to an enormously wide audience, and not just in the UK.’ Indeed, Dickens books have been and are still translated into many different languages and are read the world over. ‘The thing is, there are so many layers in his books that they can be read by different people with diverse interests, from casual readers wanting a good story, to social historians and language researchers.’
3000 speaking characters
Tigges believes that Dickens gives the reader what he wants: ‘Dickens always has a good story to tell, always with a happy ending. The good are rewarded and the bad are punished. Not only that, his stories contain a kaleidoscope of characters; scholars estimate the number in the region of 3000 characters, and these are just the ones who have a speaking part. Many of them are larger than life, but they are all are so carefully crafted that they come alive, even those minor characters who may appear for just a paragraph or so, and then disappear.’ And, even without Internet and blogs, Dickens entered into a dialogue with his readers, through correspondence and during his regular public readings. They would let him know how they wanted to see the novels develop, and Dickens sometimes took up their suggestions. But: ‘Something that is even more unique about Dickens is that all of his works – and he wrote a total of 15 novels and many short stories – are of the same outstanding quality. That’s extremely rare,’ Tigges explains.
'Please, sir, I want some more.'
A theme of perennial interest, according to Tigges, is children: ‘Dickens was the first author to write from the point of view of the child and children have a major role in his works.’ Dickens own upbringing was fraught. His father spent time in Marshalsea debtors’ prison, and the effects of this humiliating experience stayed with Dickens for the rest of his life. He wrote frequently about problems of upbringing – also a very topical issue in the present day. He writes with real feeling about the persistence of the innocent young child, dealing with the effects of poverty or cruelty. Can there be anyone who is not familiar, for example, with the famous: ‘Please, sir, I want some more’ spoken by Oliver Twist.
Costume drama
A further link with the present day is the current revival in interest in period drama. Tigges explains: 'Dickens’ works are ideal for films and TV productions. His settings are highly atmospheric, from the dilapidated, sordid backstreets of London and prison interiors to grand houses like Bleak House. And there is enormous scope for costumes and characterisation.'
Dickens in the Netherlands
Characters in costume during the annual Dickens event in Deventer.
But does Dickens play a role in the Netherlands? ‘Most certainly. He is very popular here. The International Dickens Fellowship, founded in 1902, has a branch in Haarlem that holds quarterly meetings even today.’ Famous Dutch writer Godfried Bomans, who was a great fan of Dickens, was the first President of the Dutch branch. Then there is the Dickens Festival held every year in Deventer. Last year the festival attracted no fewer than 100,000 visitors. And not forgetting the Dickens Museum in Bronkhorst.’
Dickens courses
Tigges has regularly taught Dickens, in various courses for students of English and also as part of the HOVO programme ( Education for Senior Citizens). Since January of 2009 he has been monitoring monthly meetings with other fans, admirers and adepts.
(6 February 2012)
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