Intelligence Squared How Dickens Changed My Life
Jul 17, 2023
In this engaging discussion, Simon Callow, an acclaimed actor and Dickens expert, shares personal stories and insights from his portrayal of Charles Dickens. He delves into how Dickens’ early life and theatrical influences shaped his writing, particularly in 'David Copperfield.' David Goldthorpe, Sotheby’s expert, highlights the importance of a rare handwritten manuscript in the auction world. Together, they explore the emotional depth of Dickens' narratives and the evolution of reading, revealing the timeless impact of literature on life and culture.
49:38
Dickens' Blacking Warehouse Experience
- Dickens' pivotal life moment was working at a blacking warehouse at age 11.
- This experience of humiliation and feeling extinguished fueled his writing.
David Copperfield's Impact
- Writing David Copperfield, a semi-autobiographical novel, was challenging for Dickens.
- He kept his experience at the blacking warehouse secret until much later.
Dickens' Influence on T.S. Eliot
- T.S. Eliot considered titling The Wasteland "He Do the Police in Different Voices" from Dickens' Our Mutual Friend.
- This highlights Dickens' skill in portraying diverse voices, making his prose performance-ready.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Legacy of Dickens: Life, Influence, and Performance
02:00 • 14min
Theatrical Influences on Dickens' Writing
16:15 • 4min
Storms of Emotion and Nature
19:59 • 22min
The Evolution of Reading: From Serial Publications to Collecting First Editions
41:35 • 3min
The Tangibility of Literature: Exploring Books and Heritage
44:49 • 4min
A Tale of Two Cities
Julius Julius Seybt
Francisco Manuel GRANADO CASTRO
Marion Leighton
federico alonso
Aedi Abraham
maxi sanchez
jaime arbe
Fred BARNARD
Laura Santamaria
Juan Ramon Torregrosa
monica alonso
Charles Dickens
Alejo García Moreno
Miguel Muñoz
leonardo pablo federico sanchez alonso
J. J. Bernier
Salustiano Masó Simón
Victor G Ambrus
Jose perez
Hablot K. BROWNE
Published in 1859, 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a historical novel that contrasts the lives in London and Paris during the late 18th century.
The story revolves around characters such as Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, and Lucie Manette, each dealing with love, sacrifice, and the profound societal changes brought about by the French Revolution.
The novel critiques both the conditions leading up to the Revolution and the Revolution itself, highlighting themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and the potential for positive change.
Dickens's vivid portrayal of the social disparities and political unrest of the era, along with his iconic opening lines, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' make the novel a compelling exploration of human resilience and societal issues.
A Christmas carol
Jacqueline Goldfinger
Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' is a family-friendly version that includes music, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences.
This play retains the core themes and characters of the original while adding a musical element to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.
David Copperfield
Paul Lorain
Charles Dickens
A classic novel by Charles Dickens, following the life of David Copperfield from childhood to adulthood.
Shakespeare's restless world
Neil MacGregor
In 'Shakespeare's Restless World', Neil MacGregor uses twenty objects from the period to recreate the vibrant and tumultuous world of Shakespeare's time.
The book delves into the social, political, and cultural issues that influenced Shakespeare's works, offering a fresh perspective on how his plays reflected and shaped the anxieties and aspirations of his audience.
By weaving together the stories of these objects with the themes of Shakespeare's plays, MacGregor provides a compelling portrait of an era marked by rapid change and uncertainty.
The Pickwick Papers
Lynn Brittney
Charles Dickens
The Pickwick Papers, or The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, is Charles Dickens' first novel, published in 1837.
It follows the travels of Samuel Pickwick, a kind and wealthy gentleman, and his three companions: Mr. Tupman, Mr. Winkle, and Mr. Snodgrass.
Along with Pickwick’s servant Sam Weller, they get into numerous scrapes and misadventures.
The novel satirizes societal misunderstandings and highlights the absurdity of social class divisions.
A significant part of the story revolves around the trial of Bardell vs Pickwick and its aftermath, leading to Pickwick's incarceration and eventual triumph.
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.
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.
The waste land
T. S. Eliot
The Waste Land is a 434-line poem divided into five sections: 'The Burial of the Dead', 'A Game of Chess', 'The Fire Sermon', 'Death by Water', and 'What the Thunder Said'.
It is a complex and erudite work that incorporates numerous allusions to mythology, classical literature, and religious texts.
The poem reflects the spiritual disillusionment and moral decay of the Western world after World War I, portraying a sterile and fragmented society.
It was initially met with controversy due to its innovative and often obscure style but has since become a central work in the modernist canon.
David Copperfield
Paul Lorain
Charles Dickens
A classic novel by Charles Dickens, following the life of David Copperfield from childhood to adulthood.
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver
Demon Copperhead is a powerful and emotionally engaging novel that tells the story of Damon Fields, a boy born to a teenage single mother in a trailer home in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
The novel, inspired by Charles Dickens' 'David Copperfield', follows Demon's journey through the challenges of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, and disastrous loves.
Kingsolver vividly portrays the opioid epidemic's impact on rural communities and explores themes of love, survival, and the transformative power of storytelling.
The narrative is delivered through Demon's unsparing and authentic voice, which brings to life the harsh realities and the resilience of the people in Appalachia.
Join Simon Callow as he shares his infectious enthusiasm and profound knowledge of Charles Dickens in this conversation produced in partnership with Sotheby’s. As an acclaimed actor who has portrayed the author and written a biography about him, Callow is an authority on Dickens' eccentricities and literary genius. In conversation with novelist Kate Mosse and Sotheby's books specialist David Goldthorpe, he shares personal anecdotes and explores Dickens' transformative storytelling through key texts – including a fascinating handwritten reading text of David Copperfield featured in Sotheby’s upcoming auction – revealing how the great author has shaped his life and career.
This event was recorded on 11 July 2023 as part of Sotheby’s Book Week, held to mark a series of sales taking place in London, Paris and New York from 4-20 July featuring literature, illustrations and musical manuscripts that span continents and centuries. The London auction will take place on Thursday 20 July. Please visit sothebys.com to find out more.
This conversation was produced by Executive Producer Hannah Kaye and edited by Producer Catharine Hughes.
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