Victorians! discussion

We will discuss this chapter this week, and next. A discussion question will be posted later today.

How does a loss of memory affect compassion? How does it affect understanding?

After the Gothic melancholy of the first chapter, the wonderful description of the Tetterby family along with the illustration of Johnny lugging the large baby (referred to as Moloch, an ancient god requiring child sacrifice) everywhere with him, was a wonderful comic relief. Johnny is quite content "to go staggering about with it like a very little porter with a very large parcel, which was not directed to anybody, and could never be delivered anywhere." As the oldest child of six, my two youngest sisters and I had a very similar relationship.

I suppose the implication is that Johnny is the child that is sacrificed to the baby.

We continue our discussion of this chapter.

The poor boy appears uneffected by the gift. What does the boy represent?

Dickens, once again, shows us the result of poverty. Are memories a burden or a comfort? Does social strata play a part in this?