That’s an interesting theory about Gog and Magog being the original intended narrators for this section. Dickens’s creative process in cobbling these stories together really fascinates me, and it seems that, even six weeks in, he still didn’t have a clear idea where he was going with Master Humphrey.
You're right! It's like he's throwing things at the wall to see what sticks -- and eventually The Old Curiosity Shop did. Very interesting to uncover the "workings" like this!
I was expecting some kind of deflation or joke in the second part of the story involving what actually was going on. The twist here is intriguing — the spy ends up doing a more noble or “Christian” thing (albeit for money) than the exposure of “witches.” At the end he needs to reinforce the hysteria and superstition of witch hunting rather than expose it for the sham that it was. It’s as if society needs to preserve its delusions at all cost. I’m reminded of the orphan workhouse in Oliver Twist and the school in Nicholas Nickleby — institutions that harm to individuals are covered up by societal delusions of doing good.
I always love Dickens’ darker tales - the confessions story and will marks’ account are my favorites so far. He does not shy away from the description of the plague.
Catching up before the next installment … I enjoyed the conclusion of the dark tale of Will Marks and the story of the two year old and his grandfather. Especially thanks for the insight on the church and the clock, I find it fascinating.
That’s an interesting theory about Gog and Magog being the original intended narrators for this section. Dickens’s creative process in cobbling these stories together really fascinates me, and it seems that, even six weeks in, he still didn’t have a clear idea where he was going with Master Humphrey.
You're right! It's like he's throwing things at the wall to see what sticks -- and eventually The Old Curiosity Shop did. Very interesting to uncover the "workings" like this!
I was expecting some kind of deflation or joke in the second part of the story involving what actually was going on. The twist here is intriguing — the spy ends up doing a more noble or “Christian” thing (albeit for money) than the exposure of “witches.” At the end he needs to reinforce the hysteria and superstition of witch hunting rather than expose it for the sham that it was. It’s as if society needs to preserve its delusions at all cost. I’m reminded of the orphan workhouse in Oliver Twist and the school in Nicholas Nickleby — institutions that harm to individuals are covered up by societal delusions of doing good.
I always love Dickens’ darker tales - the confessions story and will marks’ account are my favorites so far. He does not shy away from the description of the plague.
Catching up before the next installment … I enjoyed the conclusion of the dark tale of Will Marks and the story of the two year old and his grandfather. Especially thanks for the insight on the church and the clock, I find it fascinating.