Gutenberg Articles

Appearance

Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Speeches: Literary and Social, by Charles Dickens

Christmas stories are now grown so much the fashion that, whenever the
season of holly and mistletoe comes round they greet us at every turn,
forcing themselves upon our notice through every species of whimsical and
enticing embellishment. Why is it that, amidst such a satiety of
novelties we turn again and again, with an interest as keen as ever, to a
perusal of the pages where little Dot Peerybingle chirps as brightly as
the cricket on her own hearth, where Trotty Veck listens to the voices of
the chimes, striving to comprehend what it is they say to him, and where
old Scrooge’s heart is softened by his ghostly visitants? It is because
Charles Dickens has made such a study of that human nature we all possess
in common that he is able to strike with a practised hand upon the chords
of our hearts, and draw forth harmony that vibrates from soul to soul.

It is not, however, our intention here, to follow Mr. Dickens through the
whole of his long and honourable literary career, far less to undertake
the superfluous task of extolling the numerous and brilliant list of
writings that have followed each other in rapid and welcome succession
from his indefatigable pen. All that remains for us to do now, is to
notice briefly two very grave charges that have been made against the
general tendency of his writings, and to bring forward some evidence in
refutation of them.

These two charges are, 1, a wilful perversion of facts in describing the
political and social condition of our time; 2, an irreverence for and
ridicule of sacred things and persons, which (say the objectors) infuses
a subtle poison through the whole of his works, and unsettles the belief
of the young. We shall take these charges one at a time.

Explanation ​

This excerpt is from Speeches: Literary and Social (1870), a collection of Charles Dickens’s public addresses, prefaces, and essays. The passage in question is likely from a speech or introductory essay where Dickens (or possibly an editor or commentator—though the tone suggests Dickens himself) reflects on the enduring appeal of his Christmas stories while defending his work against two major criticisms. Below is a detailed breakdown of the text, its context, themes, literary devices, and significance, with an emphasis on close analysis of the excerpt itself.

1. Context of the Excerpt ​

  • Source & Occasion: The passage appears in a collection of Dickens’s speeches and essays, possibly written as a preface or defense of his Christmas stories (e.g., A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth). By 1870, Dickens was a literary giant, but his works—especially his social critiques—faced backlash from conservatives, religious groups, and political opponents.
  • Audience: The tone suggests an educated, middle-to-upper-class readership familiar with Dickens’s works and the contemporary debates about literature’s moral and social role. The speaker assumes the audience shares a cultural reverence for Christmas stories but may also harbor doubts due to the criticisms mentioned.
  • Purpose: The primary goal is twofold:
    1. To celebrate the emotional resonance of Dickens’s Christmas tales.
    2. To rebut two serious charges against his writing: distorting social realities and irreligion.

2. Themes in the Excerpt ​

A. The Enduring Power of Christmas Stories ​

  • Nostalgia & Universal Appeal: The opening lines describe Christmas stories as "grown so much the fashion" that they are "forcing themselves upon our notice" through "whimsical and enticing embellishment." This suggests a cultural saturation of holiday tales, yet Dickens’s works stand out. The speaker asks why readers return to stories like The Cricket on the Hearth (Dot Peerybingle), The Chimes (Trotty Veck), and A Christmas Carol (Scrooge) despite the "satiety of novelties."
    • Key Idea: Dickens’s stories endure because they tap into shared human emotions—joy (Dot’s chirping), wonder (Trotty hearing the chimes), and redemption (Scrooge’s transformation). The phrase "strike with a practised hand upon the chords of our hearts" uses a musical metaphor to emphasize his ability to evoke universal feelings.
    • Implication: Unlike fleeting "novelties," Dickens’s works connect to something timeless in human nature.

B. Art as a Reflection of Human Nature ​

  • The speaker argues that Dickens’s genius lies in his "study of that human nature we all possess in common." This is a defense against the first charge (perverting facts): if his stories resonate across classes and generations, they must contain truths about people, not distortions.
    • Contrast: The "whimsical embellishments" of other Christmas stories are superficial, while Dickens’s characters (Dot, Trotty, Scrooge) feel real because they embody recognizable struggles and virtues.

C. Defense Against Criticism ​

The passage pivots to address two charges:

  1. "Wilful perversion of facts" in depicting social/political conditions.

    • Subtext: Dickens’s novels (e.g., Oliver Twist, Hard Times) exposed poverty, child labor, and institutional cruelty. Critics (often wealthy or conservative) accused him of exaggerating or misrepresenting these issues to push a political agenda.
    • Counterargument Implied: The speaker doesn’t directly refute this yet but sets up the idea that Dickens’s popularity proves his accuracy—if his portrayals didn’t ring true, they wouldn’t move readers so deeply.

  2. "Irreverence for and ridicule of sacred things and persons."

    • Subtext: Dickens’s humor and satire sometimes targeted hypocritical clergy (e.g., Mr. Chadband in Bleak House) or pious frauds. Religious groups saw this as undermining faith, especially among young readers.
    • Counterargument Implied: The speaker will later argue that Dickens’s critiques were aimed at hypocrisy, not genuine religion (a common defense in his prefaces).

3. Literary Devices & Rhetorical Strategies ​

A. Metaphor & Imagery ​

  • "Chords of our hearts" / "harmony that vibrates from soul to soul": Musical metaphors portray Dickens as a masterful composer who elicits emotional responses. This elevates his work to an almost spiritual level, countering claims that it’s irreverent.
  • "Holly and mistletoe": Traditional Christmas symbols evoke warmth and nostalgia, framing the discussion in a positive, familiar light.
  • "Ghostly visitants": Alludes to A Christmas Carol’s spirits, reinforcing the idea of transformation and moral awakening.

B. Rhetorical Questions ​

  • "Why is it that... we turn again and again...": This question engages the audience, prompting them to reflect on their own emotional connection to Dickens’s stories before the speaker provides the answer (his insight into human nature).
  • The structure creates a dialogue with the reader, making the defense feel collaborative rather than combative.

C. Parallelism & Repetition ​

  • The trio of examples (Dot Peerybingle, Trotty Veck, Scrooge) creates a rhythmic, memorable list. Each character represents a different facet of Dickens’s themes:
    • Dot: Domestic joy and innocence.
    • Trotty: Humility and the struggle to understand one’s place in the world.
    • Scrooge: Redemption and the power of empathy.
  • The repetition of "where" in the list ("where little Dot..., where Trotty..., where old Scrooge...") mimics the oral tradition of storytelling, reinforcing the idea that these tales are meant to be shared and remembered.

D. Irony & Understatement ​

  • "Superfluous task of extolling the numerous and brilliant list of writings": The speaker feigns modesty, but the phrase actually highlights Dickens’s prolificacy and acclaim. This is a subtle way to remind critics of his unassailable reputation.
  • "Wilful perversion" / "subtle poison": The charged language of the critics is presented without immediate rebuttal, allowing the speaker to later contrast it with the emotional truth of Dickens’s work.

4. Significance of the Excerpt ​

A. Dickens’s Literary Legacy ​

  • The passage articulates why Dickens’s Christmas stories remain culturally vital: they transcend their time by focusing on human connection, redemption, and social conscience. The defense of his work here is also a defense of literature’s moral purpose—to reflect reality and inspire change.

B. The Role of the Artist as Social Critic ​

  • The first charge (perverting facts) touches on a broader debate: Should art document reality, or idealize it? Dickens’s realism (e.g., workhouses in Oliver Twist) was often attacked as "unpatriotic" or "sensational." This excerpt frames his social critiques as necessary truths, not distortions.
  • The second charge (irreligion) reflects Victorian anxieties about secularization. Dickens’s response (implied here and explicit elsewhere) was that he targeted hypocrisy, not faith. For example, A Christmas Carol is deeply Christian in its themes of redemption and charity.

C. The Power of Emotional Truth ​

  • The speaker’s argument hinges on the idea that artistic truth isn’t just factual—it’s emotional. If readers weep for Tiny Tim or cheer for Scrooge’s transformation, the story has succeeded in conveying a deeper truth about humanity. This aligns with Romantic and Victorian ideals of literature as a moral and emotional force.

D. Meta-Commentary on Storytelling ​

  • The excerpt is self-aware: it discusses why stories matter while itself being a persuasive story (the "story" of Dickens’s genius and the unfairness of his critics). This layered narrative reinforces the idea that literature shapes how we see the world.

5. Close Reading of Key Lines ​

  1. "forcing themselves upon our notice through every species of whimsical and enticing embellishment."

    • Analysis: The word "forcing" suggests an almost invasive quality to modern Christmas stories, implying they lack the organic appeal of Dickens’s tales. "Whimsical and enticing embellishment" contrasts with the depth of Dickens’s characters, who feel real rather than decorative.

  2. "strike with a practised hand upon the chords of our hearts"

    • Analysis: The tactile metaphor ("practised hand") portrays Dickens as a skilled artisan, while "chords" implies his stories are universal music, not just individual notes. This undermines the idea that his work is divisive or poisonous.

  3. "subtle poison through the whole of his works"

    • Analysis: The critics’ language is hyperbolic ("poison" suggests corruption), which the speaker will contrast with the healing, unifying power of Dickens’s stories.

6. Connection to Broader Literary Movements ​

  • Victorian Moralism: The defense reflects the era’s belief that literature should uplift and instruct. Dickens’s works were seen as both entertaining and morally improving, aligning with this ideal.
  • Realism vs. Romanticism: While Dickens’s Christmas stories have fantastical elements (ghosts, talking crickets), their emotional core is realistic. This excerpt argues that his blend of whimsy and truth is what makes them enduring.
  • Social Reform Literature: The first charge ties to debates about novels as tools for change. Dickens’s work was part of a tradition (alongside writers like Elizabeth Gaskell) that used fiction to expose social ills.

7. Why This Matters Today ​

  • Defending Art’s Role in Society: The excerpt’s arguments resonate in modern debates about cancel culture, artistic license, and the responsibility of creators. Dickens’s defense—that his critiques target systems, not individuals—mirrors how artists today navigate backlash.
  • The Persistence of Christmas Stories: The passage explains why holiday narratives (from It’s a Wonderful Life to The Grinch) continue to captivate: they offer hope, nostalgia, and moral clarity in chaotic times.
  • Literature as Empathy Machine: The idea that Dickens "strikes the chords of our hearts" aligns with contemporary theories about narrative empathy—the power of stories to foster understanding across divides.

Conclusion: The Excerpt’s Core Message ​

This passage is a manifestation of Dickens’s literary philosophy:

  1. Great stories endure because they reflect universal human experiences.
  2. Art is not just entertainment but a moral and emotional force.
  3. Criticism of an artist’s work must grapple with its emotional truth, not just its factual accuracy.

By framing his Christmas stories as timeless and emotionally authentic, the speaker (Dickens or his surrogate) elevates them above mere "fashion" and positions them as essential cultural touchstones. The impending rebuttal of the two charges will further argue that Dickens’s social critiques and satirical humor are not distortions or blasphemies, but necessary mirrors held up to society.

In essence, the excerpt is both a celebration of storytelling and a defense of the artist’s right—and duty—to challenge, move, and transform their audience.