Colin Burrow

Colin Burrow, a literary scholar from Oxford, and Clare Bucknell, a fellow and literary critic, dive into the complexities of Dickens's A Christmas Carol. They explore how Dickens commercialized Christmas while critiquing societal issues like the 1834 Poor Law. The duo discusses Scrooge's Malthusian views and his redemption, examining the narrative structure from ghostly visits to the blending of fairy tale elements with a dark urban backdrop. They also highlight Dickens's call for empathy through abundance and the ethics of sharing.

Clare Bucknell, a literary scholar from All Souls College, Oxford, and Colin Burrow, a fellow critic and contributor to the London Review of Books, delve into the complexities of Dickens’s 'A Christmas Carol'. They explore whether Dickens ruined Christmas through his commercial ventures and how his dark narrative critiques Victorian social issues. The discussion highlights the unsettling mix of sentimentality and social commentary, questioning what keeps this ghostly tale in holiday tradition despite its eerie undertones.

Colin Burrow, a Fellow at All Souls College, and Rosemary Hill, a contributing editor at the LRB, delve into Thackeray's 'Vanity Fair.' They explore the novel's intricate satire of Regency England through the lens of fashion, personal ambitions, and social climbing. The guests discuss the complexities of characters like Becky Sharp and consider the significance of the Battle of Waterloo in shaping the narrative. Their conversation unveils how Thackeray's childhood experiences influenced his depiction of fractured families and societal shifts.