Dickens is one tough warden

Prison,  Dickens & Victorian England

It seems as though everything I've read & heard in this class this semester sounds like a type of prison. There is the obvious form as seen in A TALE OF TWO CITIES but there are also multiple other forms. Dickens has many characters in their own types of prison. 

Rokesmith/Harmon: He is imprisoned by his father's will. Upon his father's death, he has a wife & an inheritance. The inheritance may be a great thing but having no say in your partner doesn't suit him. To escape, he chooses to live a life of secrecy & continue his life as if he were the dead man found in the river by Hexam. In the end, he is able to overcome his imprisonment but going to such extremes in the beginning says a lot about his desires for a different life.

Lizzie: Early in the work, she is one of the most lovable, sympathetic characters. She is introduced in her father's boat & that is the first form of prison I see of her. She is at the mercy of her father who doesn't want her to be educated. She secretly learns via her brother Charlie. With her father's death, I have optimistic thoughts of her moving on with the life she chooses. Dickens has other ideas. She is harassed by her brother, Headstone & Wrayburn. She seeks the help of Riah & exiles herself to another town. She lives imprisoned in the distant life away from her home.

Veneerings/Lammles/Podsnaps: They all have one prison in common....societal standing. These families are so focused on their wealth & "keeping up with the Joneses" that lose sight of what's important in life. They have such potential but can't escape the chains of greed.

Jasper: Edwin Drood's uncle is simply imprisoned by his addiction. He is addicted to his opium, his love of Rose, & his envy of Edwin. While I'll never know if he's the reason Edwin disappears, part of me feels sorry for him. He can't escape his thoughts, desires & need for drugs.

Ned: Bless his heart! (As us Southerners would say) He is confined to his past. He wants to be a better person but his past continues to oppress him. He is convicted not on proof but on his past.

Joe Willet: If could just get away from his father, he might make in life. As of right now, he wants to join the service to escape. What he doesn't understand that military is another form of prison. He will be confined to the orders of his superiors. His father controls him now but he will soon be under the control of commanders. I don't know what's going to happen to him but running from one form of prison to another seems like the best choice for him at this point.

Riah: The Jew is a Jew. He is viewed, judged, & mistrusted for his religious belief. His religious choice imprisons him. While I don't think he should convert to Christianity to escape this, it does have a affect on how others view him. He chooses to prove everyone wrong by showing them that all Jews are not the same.

Dickens' works are full of characters in prison. Some are prisons they have chosen while others are placed upon them from outsiders. It seems as though every work the characters are looking to escape. If someone could only rescue them all...


Of course, I don't think it would be wise to rescue them.  We love them because we can relate to their troubles.  This may be Victorian England that Dickens is writing about but there are those struggling with these same issues in 2012.  While I long for some of my favorite characters to be "saved" I think the literature is all the better for these wayward souls.  Dickens shows us that one doesn't have to be behind steel bars to be imprisoned.

Liberty Mutual Commercial

Ok...I've been thinking about Dickens characters in modern commercials.  I would like to put several of them in those touching Liberty Mutual Commercials where people see other people helping people and then pass it on.  I just LOVE those commercials and could see several of Dickens' characters in one of these.  Because the following characters have been so nice and helpful in the works, they should be helping others in a commercial and make some money on it.  There may be more to come but this is what I have thus far.

Lizzie: She's always willing to help (Betty, Charlie, Wrayburn).  

• She will be helping a person in a wheelchair into a building that has no handicap accessible doors.

Riah: He helps Lizzie escape Headstone and sacrifices his job to maintain his friendship with Jenny.  

• He will be stopping a young boy's dog from running out into a busy intersection.  

Rokesmith: He clears Hexam's name and allows the Boffins to keep his fortune.  

• He will be giving his umbrella to a pregnant woman standing in the rain.

Mrs. Boffin: She wants to help people with her money (Bella and Sloppy).  

• She will be paying for a stranger's coffee in a coffee shop.

Mortimer Lightwood because of his dedication and helpfulness to Wrayburn.  

• He will be picking up a heavy bag for someone at an airport baggage claim.

Sydney Carton: He sacrifices his life for Darnay's and in his last few moments of life he helps another woman.  

• He will be helping an older woman across the street.

Mr. Lorry does what he can to help Lucie and her father.  

• He will be helping an elderly person fill out a form in a city hall.

Rev. Crisparkle helps Neville and believes in him when no one else does.

• He will be helping a young girl get a doll from a tall shelf in a toy store.

Drood's end

Picture it, Cloisterham, Christmas Eve, one year after the disappearance:

• Edwin lives.  After a year of searching, he resurfaces to prove Neville's innocence in his "murder".  He has been hiding in London with Mr. Grewgious until he could mount enough evident against his uncle.  They find the ring in Jasper's home (Datchery was hired, by Grewgious, as a private investigator to find the ring and did so).
• But I digress...
• Jasper attempted to kill Edwin when he and Neville left the river to come home but Edwin was prepared for the attack.  (Jasper thought he had drugged Ned but Ned didn't trust his uncle after the last wine enduced fight.)
• Rosa becomes engaged to Tartar but finds out that he is the father of her dear friend, Helena, and breaks the engagement.
• Neville confesses his love to Rosa but is rejected due to the relationship with Tartar.
• Edwin and Helena become engaged.
• Princess Puffer, before finding out Edwin is NOT dead, attempts to blackmail Jasper but mysteriously winds up dead. 
• The Chinaman's business doubles.
• Jasper goes to jail.
• Rosa returns to Miss Twinkleton and lives the rest of her life with the girls.
• Edwin and Helena marry.  They then go off to Egypt.
• Neville travels with them.
• The three travel into the sunset to the tune of, "Thank you for being a friend.  Travel down the road and back again.  Your heart is true.  You're a pal and a confidant."

Edwin Drood goes international

After several meetings with various German production companies, Barefoot Entertainment finally agreed to finance the film.  The company is anxious to begin working on the production in late 2012.  They have started looking into casting.  Below is a list of potential German speaking actor/actresses.  These are potential roles and the contracts have not been agreed upon at this date.


Jasper: Moritz Bleibtreu

• he's a versatile actor who can often have a dark side
• he's attire can sometimes appear unkept which I can see Jasper having in the opium scene

Edwin: Daniel Brühl

• he and Moritz work well together in films
• he also favors Moritz enough to be seen as related
• can have an innocent, sad look about him which is how I often picture Edwin

Neville: Alexander Scheer

• thin and lanky which for some reason I have Neville so in my mind
• he also looks much different than Daniel and Moritz which would fit with the description of him being "un-English"
• he is also younger and little more playful which I picture Neville being

Helena: Johanna Wokalek

• has darker hair in contrast to the actress chosen for Rose
• a more serious individual at first glance but also with a playful side

Rosa: Julia Jentsch

• has a lighter complexion than Julia and blonde hair
• seems softer and a little more childish which I thinks works with Rose's character
• while she appears more childish, I have seen her in a more serious role and believe she can handle the scene between her and Edwin

Mrs. Crisparkle: Monica Bleibtreu

• iconic actress who can take on any role
• she's often in stronger roles but I would like to see her take on a more delicate "ceramic" part

Mr. Crisparkle: Bruno Ganz

• he is the grandfather figure in the sense that he has such a caring nature
• as I read, Mr. Crisparkle embodied the person you could run up and hug
• I have seen him in some wonderful roles as the care giver

Durdles: Jürgen Vogel

• he is not as thin as I pictured Durdles but I feel he can embody the personality
• can carry the "dusty carry my bundle wherever I go" character throughout the film
• is a solid performer

Honeythunder: Burghart Klaußner

• comes across at first glance as a solid businessman which is how I picture Honeythunder
• can play the role without caring for others' feelings

Miss Twinkleton: Franka Potente)

• she is a wonderful actress whom I would like to see in a softer role
• while she is normally cast in more action roles, I can see her acting talent tested in this "keep the women of the house" role

Princess Puffer: Marlene Dietrich

• in reading, I pictured Puffer more grungy, larger and aged but after thinking about her character, I felt Marlene would fit the role and it would just be fun
• she's a legendary film icon...why not?

Tartar: Til Schweiger

• Til has the military look about him without looking too military
• he's handsome and has a caring nature about him, which is how I picture Tartar
• I could also see him being a character Helena would fall for

Mr. Grewgious: Ludger Pistor

• has an awkward nature about his mannerisms
• I picture Mr. Grewgious as being uncomfortable in every situation and Ludger can pull this off
• he's also not too awkward that he couldn't be the care giver of Rose
• I also envision the scenes between Crisparkle and Grewgious.  Ludger and Bruno would work well together

Update in the Edwin Drood case

BREAKING NEWS!

Early Saturday morning, a discover was made outside John Jasper's house.  Evidence of Edwin having been there was found at the back door.  Jasper immediately called the police to gather the evidence and the town of Cloisterham rejoiced at the possibility of Edwin still being alive.  After seeing the evidence the son of Cloisterham's English teacher and friend of Edwin, John Woodworth, was heard saying, "Eddy loved those things.  We often ate them together while walking along the river.  They are quite addictive.  I know he is here and is telling us he's alright."  Jasper confirmed John's statement.  Jasper also stated, "Ned always requested these bites for dinner.  I had them for our Christmas dinner just before he disappeared."  Good news from Cloisterham that Edwin Drood could possibly be alive and continuing to check on his beloved uncle.  There are still concerns for his well being and the question still remains, "Why will he not show himself?"

Photo below courtesy of the Cloisterham Police Department.

10 minute ramblings

As I've read OMF and ED I didn't really focus much on the religious aspects of the works.  After reading a classmate's blog and discussing it in class, it came to me that I actually make a note in OMF about the names of the Reverends for the Lammle wedding.  Reverend Blank Blank and Reverend Dash Dash were both there to officiate the wedding of Alfred and Sophronia.  Thinking back, this seems appropriate seeing as they both are phony.  The Reverends have no name and the couple have no clue.  The blatant poking of the religious figures are quite amusing.  Don't tell my mama cause I'm a southern girl and am not supposed to make fun of the church but let's face it...it's funny.


The OMF portion was amusing but then I thought about the Cathedral in ED.  This element seems to be a focal point for Cloisterham.  The church seems to be a means of employment for this enclosed town.  I don't see much value in the actual religious aspects of the Nun's House and the Cathedral.  It's all dark and dirty and reminds me of several trips to Cathedrals on my travels.  In fact, I have been into 2 catacombs in Vienna.  1 with thousands and thousands of bones from the plague (http://www.stephansdom.at/) and 1 with mummies (http://www.augustinerkirche.at/).  Coolest thing ever!!  After taking tours of both of these and now reading the role of Drudles, I can understand his fascination of it.  It's actually kind of addictive.  I'm actually looking forward to going back to Vienna for another tour.


So I think I got a little off topic but I'm now focused on the religious thing and I'm taking a trip down memory lane.  I am now ready to continue reading focus a little more on religion...and not just on Easter and Christmas.  Can't wait what for Dickens has to say about the church now.

First impressions of Drood

Death

• My first impression of the Drood work is how appropriate. (Ok, that’s a lie.  My first impression of the work is of the opium induced state of the first scene.  I have a CSI scene all worked out for this.)  But I digress; I cannot help but think of Dickens on his deathbed writing about death.  As Durdles works with the tombs and catacombs, it is apparent he values his work and is dedicated to the preservation of the dead.  He is proud of his work and often seems quite enthralled with what transpires.  While he is not overly philosophical, I can appreciate his admiration for the job and can picture Dickens writing a little autobiography in this character.

Parallel with OMF

Importance of appearance

• Mrs. Twinkleton decorates her office with globes to give the appearance of her constant longing for knowledge.  I personally don’t see her studying these in her spare time but for parents or guests appearance is all that matters.  I could very well be proven wrong as the story progresses.

•  Rosa and Eddy are engaged to be married and must appear to be happy in this endeavor.  “You know we must be married, and married from here, Eddy, or the poor girls will be so dreadfully disappointed!”  Why is it important to please others in a marriage when your happiness should be all that matters?  My curiosity is awake.  I want to know what happens to this insane couple.

• Rosa also wants Eddy to walk close to the gate or building so the other girls cannot see the state of his boots.  They are not shiny leather which apparently doesn’t meet Rosa’s standards.  (Interesting to note since she will be married to him.)  He doesn’t seem to mind her insults of his clothing and goes along with her desires.  Seems like a match made heaven and I hope these two kids live happily ever after…but I highly doubt it.

• Mrs. Crisparkle’s son fakes the need of glasses to read.  His eyes water and he can’t read what’s in front of him but wears them to give his mother a boost of confidence.  She doesn’t need glasses which gives her great pride.  I can admire him for wanting to please his mother but am not sure if sacrificing your sight is really worth it.

Random thoughts

• I don’t particularly care for Mr. Honeythunder.  He’s rude for not telling the Crisparkles he will be coming and seems to be a terrible philanthropist.  I am going to classify him outright as a jerk and a user.  Anyone disagree?