Legacy Podcast Summary: Charles Dickens | A Very Dickens Christmas | Episode 3
Released on December 25, 2024 by Wondery
Introduction: Dickens's Quest for Success
In the third installment of the Legacy series, host Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan delve deeper into the multifaceted life of Charles Dickens. Building on the previous episode, where Dickens was portrayed as a celebrated yet financially struggling novelist in both Britain and America, this episode explores how his social conscience and personal turmoil influenced his most iconic work.
Afua Hirsch (00:33): “Dickens has a burning social conscience, too. All around him in London, he can see the effects of extreme poverty, and he's been there himself. It's the life he experienced as a child, and he wants to bring about change.”
A Christmas Carol: Birth of a Classic
The episode meticulously examines "A Christmas Carol," highlighting its creation amidst Dickens's financial desperation and his desire for social reform. Published on December 19, 1843, the novella rapidly became a bestseller, selling 6,000 copies between publication and Christmas Day, generating £137 (approximately £20,000 today).
Afua Hirsch (05:29): “A Christmas Carol will pay off down the line. You can imagine if he was alive today, all of the film royalties and options he would be earning from that book at the time.”
The hosts discuss how Dickens drew inspiration from the 1842 Royal Commission report on Children's Employment, which documented the harsh realities of child labor. This report resonated with Dickens's own childhood experiences and fueled his determination to advocate for social change through his writing.
Peter Frankopan (06:43): “But Christmas Carol captures something really special. The story of the worst of sinners repenting and becoming good fills everybody with real optimism.”
Social Conscience and Philanthropy
Dickens's philanthropic efforts are a focal point, particularly his establishment of Urania Cottage, a home for homeless women. Unlike the punitive institutions of the time, Dickens envisioned a nurturing environment where women could rebuild their lives through education and support.
Afua Hirsch (23:13): “He wants it to feel like a kind and nurturing environment, even though there are strict rules. He wants them to have nice clothes... It should feel that they are living a good life there.”
The episode highlights Dickens's collaboration with Angela Burdett-Coutts and his genuine desire to aid fallen women, reflecting his complex relationship with social issues and personal trauma.
Depiction of Women and Jewish Characters
A significant portion of the discussion addresses Dickens's portrayal of female and Jewish characters. Hirsch and Frankopan critique Dickens for often rendering female characters as one-dimensional or caricatures, lacking the depth observed in his male counterparts.
Peter Frankopan (27:33): “The female characters are either like fairy tale princesses or melodramatic characters. Even the odd exceptions... none of the same way of getting inside people's minds.”
Additionally, the hosts explore Dickens's problematic depictions of Jewish characters, notably Fagin in "Oliver Twist," who embodies harmful stereotypes prevalent in 19th-century literature.
Afua Hirsch (30:06): “Fagin as a trope, it's not just in the 19th century. It's taken on again and again and again and fuels some of the poison that we see in the 20th century in particular.”
Despite these criticisms, the episode acknowledges Dickens's capacity for self-reflection and his efforts to amend certain prejudiced views later in life.
Personal Turmoil: Marriage and Obsession
The narrative takes a darker turn as Hirsch and Frankopan explore Dickens's tumultuous personal life. Dickens's marriage to Catherine resulted in ten children, with the tragic loss of their daughter Dora in 1851. Shortly after, Dickens's infatuation with the young actress Nellie Ternan leads to a severe marital crisis.
Afua Hirsch (47:46): “He humiliates her, denies something that is patently obvious to everyone that he wants or is having an affair with Nelly, then tells his wife it's her fault gaslighting her.”
This obsession not only strains his marriage but also tarnishes his public image and philanthropic relationships, illustrating the profound impact of his personal failings on his legacy.
Peter Frankopan (53:54): “His legacy that had been so carefully constructed and controlled since he left his own difficult childhood behind is threatening to come crashing down.”
Literary Success and Continued Productivity
Despite personal upheavals, Dickens's literary career flourished. The episode highlights the success of novels like "David Copperfield" and "Bleak House," the latter praised by literary giants such as Leo Tolstoy. Dickens's entrepreneurial spirit manifested in his publication "Household Words," a magazine addressing social issues and promoting serialized storytelling.
Peter Frankopan (36:27): “Household Words goes like hotcakes. So his financial issues are coming to an end... he's making proper money.”
This financial stability allowed Dickens to continue his prolific output, cementing his status as a literary powerhouse even as his personal life unraveled.
Conclusion: The Complex Legacy of Charles Dickens
The episode concludes by juxtaposing Dickens's literary achievements and social contributions with his personal shortcomings. Hirsch and Frankopan underscore the complexity of Dickens's legacy—celebrated for his vivid storytelling and social advocacy, yet criticized for his flawed portrayals of women and minorities and his abusive personal behavior.
Afua Hirsch (53:54): “And what he's going to do now is not only cut her off emotionally, but he’s going to rewrite history... It’s just so dark and it really shows the worst of his character.”
The episode sets the stage for future explorations into how Dickens's actions and writings continue to influence perceptions of his work and personal life.
Notable Quotes:
- Afua Hirsch (05:29): “A Christmas Carol will pay off down the line... strengthens his position with publishers and ensures that whatever else he writes will succeed.”
- Peter Frankopan (06:43): “The story of the worst of sinners repenting and becoming good fills everybody with real optimism.”
- Peter Frankopan (27:33): “The female characters are either like fairy tale princesses or melodramatic characters.”
- Afua Hirsch (30:06): “Fagin as a trope... fuels some of the poison that we see in the 20th century.”
- Afua Hirsch (47:46): “He humiliates her, denies something that is patently obvious to everyone that he wants or is having an affair with Nelly.”
- Peter Frankopan (53:54): “His legacy... is threatening to come crashing down.”
Final Thoughts
This episode of Legacy offers a comprehensive and nuanced examination of Charles Dickens, portraying him as a man of profound social awareness and literary genius, yet also grappling with personal demons and societal prejudices. Hirsch and Frankopan adeptly balance praise with critique, providing listeners with a well-rounded understanding of Dickens's enduring legacy.