In Our Time Dickens (Archive Episode)
Join literary experts Rosemary Ashton, Michael Slater, and John Bowen as they explore the complex world of Charles Dickens. Ashton offers insights into Victorian London’s stark contrasts, while Slater reveals Dickens’s calls for social reform, emphasizing housing and sanitation. Bowen dives into the darker shades of Dickens's works like 'Bleak House,' linking his characters' struggles with larger societal issues. They discuss Dickens's moral narrative that urges compassion, and his nuanced portrayal of women, revealing his love-hate relationship with Britain.
43:40
Intellectual Climate Shaped Dickens' Politics
- Utilitarianism and Carlylean romantic radicalism shaped mid‑Victorian intellectual life.
- Ashton argues Dickens absorbed both strains, valuing reform but insisting on imagination and moral feeling.
Institutions As Metaphors For Social Malaise
- Dickens used particular institutions (Chancery, debt prisons) as metaphors for systemic social failure.
- John Bowen shows Bleak House and Little Dorrit link many lives to single oppressive systems.
Dickens' Blacking Factory Childhood
- Dickens fictionalised his childhood humiliation working in a blacking factory from age twelve and kept it private.
- Michael Slater explains this secret shame recurs in characters like Joe the crossing sweeper.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Dickens and the Image of Victorian London
01:43 • 2min
Intellectual Climate: Utilitarianism and Carlyle
04:03 • 3min
Bleak House and Little Dorrit as Social Metaphors
06:51 • 5min
Dickens' View of England: Anger and Optimism
11:31 • 14sec
Portraying Urban Poor in Little Dorrit
11:46 • 3min
Childhood Trauma: Blacking Factory's Influence
14:34 • 6min
Dickens' Reform Agenda: Sanitation, Education, Homes
21:00 • 4min
Oliver Twist's Ambivalence: Radicalism and Conservatism
25:03 • 3min
Political Impact and Limits of Dickens's Critique
27:43 • 4min
Moral Appeal to Readers and Reform
31:54 • 2min
Portrayal of Women: Saints, Grotesques, Transgressive Figures
33:29 • 7min
Britannia, London, and Dickens's Ambivalent Patriotism
40:34 • 2min
Outro
42:47 • 49sec
#10542
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Tale of the Cities
Charles Dickens
'A Tale of Two Cities' is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and portrays the lives of individuals caught up in the tumultuous events.
The novel primarily follows the stories of Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a cynical English lawyer, whose lives become intertwined due to their love for Lucie Manette.
Dickens explores themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and the cyclical nature of history.
Carton's ultimate sacrifice for Darnay and Lucie embodies the novel's message of redemption and the potential for personal transformation amidst chaos.
The narrative contrasts the opulence of the French aristocracy with the poverty and suffering of the common people, highlighting the social injustices that fueled the revolution.
#481
• Mentioned in 58 episodes
Oliver Twist
The 1838 Theatrical Adaptation
George Almar
This adaptation was first performed in the fall of 1838, before the full text of Dickens' original novel had been released.
It is a serio-comic burletta that deviates from the original novel, and Dickens himself was reportedly horrified by the performance.
The adaptation highlights the theatrical interpretation of Dickens' work during the Victorian era.
#11614
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Our Island Story
A Child's History of England
Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall
Our Island Story is a historical narrative written by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall, first published in 1905.
It covers the history of England from the Roman occupation to Queen Victoria's death, using a mix of traditional history and mythology to make British history accessible to younger readers.
The book has been influential and has inspired other works, such as the parody '1066 and All That'.
#764
• Mentioned in 42 episodes
Bleak House
Charles Dickens
Bleak House, published in 1852-1853, is a novel by Charles Dickens that revolves around the Jarndyce family and their entanglement in the interminable lawsuit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
The story highlights the inefficiencies and injustices of the English Court of Chancery, as well as themes of family secrets, blackmail, murder, and social critique.
The novel follows Esther Summerson, who becomes the guardian of two other wards, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare, and their lives as they navigate the complexities of the lawsuit and personal secrets, particularly those surrounding Lady Dedlock and her past.
The novel is known for its vivid portrayal of Victorian England and its critique of various social and legal institutions of the time.
#3222
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
Little Dorrit
Adam Leverton
Marco PEDULLA
Charles Dickens
Mary Sebag-Montefiore
Adam EVE
The novel follows the story of Amy Dorrit, known as Little Dorrit, who is born and raised in the Marshalsea debtors' prison in London.
Her father, William Dorrit, is imprisoned for debt and becomes known as the 'Father of the Marshalsea'.
The story explores themes of poverty, societal injustice, and the constraints of the prison system.
It also delves into the lives of other characters, including Arthur Clennam, who becomes involved in the Dorrit family's affairs.
The novel satirizes the British class system and the inefficiencies of the government, particularly through the fictional 'Circumlocution Office'.
As the Dorrits' fortune changes dramatically, the novel examines the impact of wealth and social status on individuals and society.
#15818
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
London labour and the London poor
Henry Mayhew
#6886
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Our Mutual Friend
Charles Dickens
Our Mutual Friend, a novel by Charles Dickens, explores themes of wealth, poverty, and social class in Victorian London.
The story revolves around the inheritance of a fortune left in the form of dead bodies found in the River Thames.
Dickens satirizes the materialistic values of the wealthy elite and the struggles of the working class.
The novel features a complex cast of characters, each grappling with their own moral dilemmas.
Our Mutual Friend is a complex and multifaceted work, showcasing Dickens' skill in creating memorable characters and weaving together multiple storylines.
#6393
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Nicholas Nickleby
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Charles Dickens
Originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839, 'Nicholas Nickleby' is Charles Dickens' third novel.
The story follows Nicholas Nickleby, who, after his father's death, must support his mother and sister.
He faces numerous challenges, including a cruel uncle, Ralph Nickleby, and a brutal schoolmaster, Wackford Squeers, at the notorious Dotheboys Hall.
The novel is a critique of the social ills of Victorian England, particularly the mistreatment of children and the cruelty of the educational system.
It features a cast of vivid characters and explores themes of family, morality, and the struggle against injustice.
#5820
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Dombey and Son
Jason Lee
A. Willis
Ian Perkin
Charles Dickens
Forster, John
Dombey and Son, a novel by Charles Dickens, explores themes of family, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships.
The story centers around the wealthy businessman, Mr. Dombey, and his obsession with his son, Paul.
Dickens critiques the materialistic values of Victorian society and the destructive nature of unchecked ambition.
The novel features a cast of memorable characters, each grappling with their own personal struggles.
Dombey and Son is a complex and multifaceted work, showcasing Dickens' skill in creating memorable characters and weaving together multiple storylines.
#8611
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Barnaby Rudge
A Tale of the Riots of Eighty
Eileen Warren Norris
Charles Dickens
The novel is set in the late 18th century and revolves around the Gordon Riots of 1780, a period of anti-Catholic violence in London.
It follows the story of Barnaby Rudge, a simpleminded young man who becomes embroiled in the riots, and his pet raven, Grip.
The narrative also involves a forbidden love between Emma Haredale, a Catholic, and Edward Chester, a Protestant, and delves into the complex relationships between fathers and sons.
The story is characterized by Dickens's vivid portrayal of London's streets and the violent underbelly of the city during this tumultuous period.
#219
• Mentioned in 99 episodes
Das Kapital
Karl Marx
#522
• Mentioned in 54 episodes
David Copperfield
Paul Lorain
Charles Dickens
A classic novel by Charles Dickens, following the life of David Copperfield from childhood to adulthood.
#531
• Mentioned in 54 episodes
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
Great Expectations is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that chronicles the life of Pip, a young orphan living in the marshes of Kent.
The story begins with Pip's encounter with an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch, which sets off a chain of events that changes his life.
Pip inherits a large fortune from an anonymous benefactor, which he uses to become a gentleman.
However, his journey is marked by his unrequited love for Estella, the adopted daughter of the eccentric Miss Havisham, and his eventual discovery that his benefactor is not who he expected.
The novel explores themes of social class, love, rejection, and the search for true identity, set against the backdrop of early 19th-century England.
#4092
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
Hard Times
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens's "Hard Times" is a social critique that explores the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and utilitarianism.
The novel contrasts the pragmatic worldview of Mr. Gradgrind, who emphasizes facts and figures above all else, with the imaginative spirit of Sissy Jupe.
Through its vivid characters and compelling narrative, the novel exposes the flaws of a society that prioritizes reason over emotion and empathy.
Dickens's powerful portrayal of social injustice and the importance of human connection continues to resonate with readers today.
The novel's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of timeless themes of social inequality and the human need for compassion.
#31259
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Other Dickens: Pickwick to Chuzzlewit
John Bowen
John Bowen's 'Other Dickens: Pickwick to Chuzzlewit' offers a fresh and theoretically engaged perspective on the novels Charles Dickens wrote in the first half of his career.
The book challenges conventional views and provides original readings of works ranging from 'The Pickwick Papers' to 'Martin Chuzzlewit'.
Bowen explores themes of masculinity, maturity, and the social order, highlighting the literary and cultural significance of these early novels.
His analysis is both appreciative and critical, making the book a valuable resource for scholars and readers interested in Dickens's development as a writer.
To celebrate Melvyn Bragg’s 27 years presenting In Our Time, five well-known fans of the programme have chosen their favourite episodes. The singer Joan Armatrading has selected the episode about Charles Dickens and recorded an introduction to it (this introduction will be available on BBC Sounds and the In Our Time webpage shortly after the broadcast and will be longer than the version broadcast on Radio 4). Dickens is best known for the strength of his plots and the richness of his characters, but he can also be regarded as a political writer. Some have seen him as a social reformer of great persuasiveness, as a man who sought through satire to expose the powerful and privileged, and whose scenes moved decision-makers to make better decisions. George Bernard Shaw said of Dickens’s novel Little Dorrit that it was 'more seditious than Das Kapital'. Others argue that, although Dickens was a great caricaturist, he was really a conservative at heart. With Rosemary Ashton Professor of English at University College London Michael Slater Professor of Victorian Literature at Birkbeck College, University of London and editor of The Dent Uniform Edition of Dickens’ Journalism And John Bowen Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Keele Producers: Jonathan Levi and Charlie Taylor This programme was first broadcast in July 2001. Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the people, ideas, events and discoveries that have shaped our world. In Our Time is a BBC Studios production.