“David Copperfield stands in contrast to Mr. Micawber as being industrious. “
and I thought this is not the whole story. Mr M is redeemed at the end as being very industrious - as described by Mr Peggotty when he returns for a visit?
Good point! The fact that he is so redeemed sort-of goes to prove the point though. Dickens advocates for hard work not just "waiting for something to turn up" and Micawber never prospers until he gets that. Steerforth is the other side of this coin: he lives of others. Steerforth is a bad apple, and Micawber not. They both get their deserts. Still, the opportunity falls into his lap rather unbelievably. Dickens loved coincidence, in real life and fiction, but it seems far fetched to me, and sentimental. Still, what alternative? Have him finally destitute....
Lots of interesting thoughts in here...the great chess player who is in fact not 'great', because he leaves the world as he finds it...is a thought we should all bear in mind as we watch Britain's Got Talent! I'm very taken with the Carlyle theory of Copperfield as well. Finally I've been thinking a lot about 'inspiration' recently, often talked about as if it were a passive experience, 'being inspired' on a par with 'being spoken to'. But in fact inspiration in its original sense is an activity...you have to breathe it in. Creativity requires hard work!
I actually disagree with him about the chess player but yes that’s why I don’t like those shows. I love my Carlyle theory and glad you do too! My book has a section on hard work--totally agree. It take graft.
Hi
I was thinking about your comment re Mr Micawber:
“David Copperfield stands in contrast to Mr. Micawber as being industrious. “
and I thought this is not the whole story. Mr M is redeemed at the end as being very industrious - as described by Mr Peggotty when he returns for a visit?
Good point! The fact that he is so redeemed sort-of goes to prove the point though. Dickens advocates for hard work not just "waiting for something to turn up" and Micawber never prospers until he gets that. Steerforth is the other side of this coin: he lives of others. Steerforth is a bad apple, and Micawber not. They both get their deserts. Still, the opportunity falls into his lap rather unbelievably. Dickens loved coincidence, in real life and fiction, but it seems far fetched to me, and sentimental. Still, what alternative? Have him finally destitute....
Lots of interesting thoughts in here...the great chess player who is in fact not 'great', because he leaves the world as he finds it...is a thought we should all bear in mind as we watch Britain's Got Talent! I'm very taken with the Carlyle theory of Copperfield as well. Finally I've been thinking a lot about 'inspiration' recently, often talked about as if it were a passive experience, 'being inspired' on a par with 'being spoken to'. But in fact inspiration in its original sense is an activity...you have to breathe it in. Creativity requires hard work!
I actually disagree with him about the chess player but yes that’s why I don’t like those shows. I love my Carlyle theory and glad you do too! My book has a section on hard work--totally agree. It take graft.
Haha Abigail was a sort of slang that meant secretary, biblical reference. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abigail
I think the Victorians would agree with you about grace but it is notable just how hard David C works. True about Mr. M. I should be kinder to him!