Dickensians! discussion

Many people, when asked what they love about Charles Dickens, will answer, "the characters!"

Charles Dickens certainly populated his book with larger than life characters; sometimes grotesque, sometimes likeable, sometimes quirky, but always entertaining.

Please tell us some of your favourites here (but please also remember to be especially careful of spoilers! You might think that "everybody knows what happened to "x" in the end" - but to be fair, there is a first time for us all.)

This is the thread to also mention some of the more fantastic humorous names invented by Charles Dickens.

Who's going to kick off this thread, by telling us your favourite character (or characters!) in a novel by Charles Dickens?

I love Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities! Despite his personal struggles, he is truly good.
I also love Mr. Durdles from Edwin Drood. He made me laugh a lot. XD

Lol! What an intriguing question. Sometime 'round about 4 AM I was conjuring characters, trying to find my favorite. So much more fun than counting sheep. Still Thinking...

Erin - Yes, I know what you mean about Sydney Carton! Charles Dickens was so good at creating flawed human beings, and he is so memorable :)

Aw ... I felt sorry for Durdles, being hoodwinked so easily :) But he's such a great comic invention - has to be with a name like that LOL!

I like your choices :)

Good question, Jean. I haven’t read all of Dickens’s novels, but I’ve read a few of them, and there are such many interesting characters. I don’t know what to choose. But, at the risk of sounding predictable, I’m going to say the first one that came to mind when I read your question. So “out with it, as the father said to the child, when he swallowed a farthing”: Sam Weller, and the wellerism is his, and it’s one of my favourites. I enjoyed wellerisms so much that when I found one in the novel, I copied it on a sheet of paper, and I’ve a good collection of them now that reminds me how much I enjoyed The Pickwick Papers.

Oh I love Sam Weller - such a cocky cockney, and even if he was a rogue, he always had Mr. Pickwick's interests at heart :)

My favourite Wellerisms:

“Business first, pleasure arterwards, as King Richard the Third said wen he stabbed t’other king in the Tower, afore he smothered the babbies.”

“Werry sorry to ‘casion any personal inconvenience, ma’am, as the house-breaker said to the old lady when he put her on the fire.”

“He wants you particklar; no one else’ll do, as the Devil’s private secretary said ven he fetched avay Doctor Faustus.”

Priceless! And what a great idea to have a collection of them, Milena :)

Wow Jean! You wrote three awesome wellerisms.
Yesterday you made me feel like taking my sheet of paper where I annotated the wellerisms. I read them all before going to bed, and I went to sleep laughing.

Fabulous Milena :) You're making me want to read The Pickwick Papers again!

And to think that Sam Weller was only introduced in the tenth serialised episode, because the monthly sales were not good. They picked up enormously after that - but how nearly we missed out on such a wonderful character!

My understanding is that Sam was only supposed to be a one-time character like so many others in the book but he was so popular that he was brought back as a regular (kind of like on a TV series). I didn't totally get his appeal until I watched the BBC series. He was very young (he is introduced as the Boots, the young man who cleans everyone's shoes at night). In the video, the actor was perfect, as anytime he appeared he instantly became the most interesting person in the scene. He even upstages Mr. Jingle, another character with a distinctive style of talking, who is rendered speechless by Sam.

Well spotted Robin! Yes, Sam Weller made a cameo appearance in the fourth installment of The Pickwick Papers. He was, as you say "the Boots". I love that in the yard of the White Hart Inn, polishing eleven and a half pairs of shoes, he explains that the "half" belongs to the man with the “vooden leg” in No. 6. LOL!

It was truly an inspired thought to bring him in as a regular member of the party, as Mr Pickwick's valet (and protector!)

Which video was that? My favourite incarnation of Sam Weller was by Phil Daniels, in the 1985 BBC series. He's played many parts since, but I think that was his best :)

That may be the one. I know it was a BBC production from some time ago. I got it from my local library. The actor for Pickwick was also excellent, being shaped almost exactly like an egg!

Robin wrote: "He even upstages Mr. Jingle, another character with a distinctive style of talking, who is rendered speechless by Sam."

Poor Mr Jingles. He didn't stand a chance against Sam Weller.
I wish I had seen the BBC TV series.

It may even be on YouTube.

One of my favorite characters is Jenny Wren from Our Mutual Friend<\i>. (Paul McCartney's song about her is great too.)

Mark wrote: "One of my favorite characters is Jenny Wren from Our Mutual Friend. (Paul McCartney's song about her is great too.)"

She is a great creation, I agree :) So intelligent - sort of all-seeing and all-knowing - with a quirky way of talking. She affects quite a lot of the plot, doesn't she. And I think it's great to have someone so disabled as such a strong character.

I think Our Mutual Friend is his finest novel, by the way, Mark :)

Bionic Jean wrote: "
I think Our Mutual Friend is his finest novel, by the way, Mark ..."

I agree with you, Jean. I too believe it is his finest. It is my most favourite of the Dickens so far, and I think will be so too. Loved it very much.

My favourite varies a lot - it's usually the one I'm reading at the moment LOL!

But quite honestly, I can't think of one novel by Charles Dickens that I wouldn't want to reread any time :)

So many zany character names. Even if they're not my favorite characters.

Mr M'Choakumchild -schooltacher in Hard Times, first place.

Tite Barnacle (Titus) - Little Dorrit,
second place

Chevy Slyme - Martin Chuzzlewit

Uriah Heep - Copperfield

I like The Artful Dodger myself, and Nancy and Oliver Twist. I also like Mr. Beaddle (I think thats his name) for the shear irony and satire he is.

Yes, the Artful Dodger has a great name and personality. His name reminds me of one of Homer's epithets for Odysseus, "the man of twists and turns."

I like the masters' names too - and the names of their schools. Here are two more gems:

"Wackford Squeers" of "Dotheboys Hall" in Nicholas Nickleby,
"Mr. Creakle" of "Salem House" in David Copperfield

Mark wrote: "So many zany character names. Even if they're not my favorite characters.

Mr M'Choakumchild -schooltacher in Hard Times, first place.

Tite Barnacle (Titus) - Little Dorrit,
second place

Chevy..."

I love M'Choakumchild too. So unrepentantly over the top.

It's hard to top Ebenezer Scrooge as a name. Can anyone imagine naming a child Ebenezer now? I don't know if it would be a disaster anyway, but certainly it would seem cruel to me after Christmas Carol.

Jenny wrote: "I like The Artful Dodger myself, and Nancy and Oliver Twist. I also like Mr. Beaddle (I think thats his name) for the shear irony and satire he is."

Oliver Twist is the home to some of my favorite characters of his as well. I think you are referring to Mr. Bumble, who was a beadle. His character development was entertaining to see unfold!

Yes, thats who I meant Emily! Thank you, I just cold not remeber the name. Yes, he was quite entertaining to see develop!

I like the unusual names best, such as Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol, or Abel Magwitch in Great Expectations, or Charity Pecksniff in Martin Chuzzlewit :)

Sairey Gamp! She was so popular that a certain type of umbrella she carried was called a "gamp". And let's not forget her best friend Betsey Prig.

"I think, young woman," said Mrs Gamp to the assistant chambermaid, in a tone expressive of weakness, "that I could pick a little bit of pickled salmon, with a nice little sprig of fennel, and a sprinkling of white pepper. I takes new bread, my dear, with just a little pat of fresh butter, and a mossel of cheese. In case there should be such a thing as a cowcumber in the ‘ouse, will you be so kind as bring it, for I’m rather partial to ‘em, and they does a world of good in a sick room. If they draws the Brighton Old Tipper here, I takes that ale at night, my love, it bein’ considered wakeful by the doctors. And whatever you do, young woman, don’t bring more than a shilling’s-worth of gin and water-warm when I rings the bell a second time; for that is always my allowance, and I never takes a drop beyond!’"

There is an interesting parody in John Forster's memoirs where Dickens describes amateur actors' trip as if Mrs. Gamp were to follow them, and it literally lights up the whole book.

Speaking of names - Poll Sweedlepipe! Tom Pinch!
And the Gradgrinds of course...

Lovely, Helen! Sairey Gamp is a real favourite!

Funnily enough, the name "Poll Sweedlepipe" just popped into my mind as I went offline yesterday :)

And talking of characters who gave their names to an item of clothing, there is a character in Barnaby Rudge called "Dolly Varden", a pretty and vain innkeeper's daughter, who gave her name to a style of dress, and a hat, and even a dance!



Then there are the characters created by Charles Dickens who gave their names to types of behaviour, such as the aforementioned "Scrooge" (a skinflint) or "Pecksniffian", (hypocritically benevolent or sanctimonious) after Mr. Seth Pecksniff, a greedy architect in Martin Chuzzlewit.

Jean, this is such a funny hat! Doesn't it remind you of a compress - like someone would put on one's head before the ice packs were invented?

Yes! How odd.

I've just thought of another invented name by Charles Dickens which has crept into our language: "Pickwickian". In fact Pickwickian Syndrome is a recognised medical condition, and named after the "fat boy" in The Pickwick Papers who kept falling asleep.

The syndrome has a range of respiratory and circulatory symptoms which are associated with extreme obesity. Its other name is "obesity hypoventilation syndrome" - but I know which I find easier to remember!

Bionic Jean wrote: "And talking of characters who gave their names to an item of clothing, there is a character in Barnaby Rudge called "Dolly Varden", a pretty and vain innkeeper's daughter, who gave her name to a style of dress, and a hat, and even a dance! "

And a fish!

https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/fi...

This is a fun thread that I just noticed.

I must admit that I loved the plainness and purpose of the name Sam Weller. It just worked for me.

My other favorite names. Gosh, quite a number of them, but here are several:

Miss Havisham.

Uncle Pumblechook. (I always thought of him as an “uncle.”)

Inspector Bucket.

Thomas Gradgrind.

Julie - that's hilarious! I can't quite see it myself ... that fish is nowhere near fancy enough to be called "Dolly Varden"!

I can't help wondering how on earth you discovered such a weird fact, but am very glad you did. Thank you! I'll be chuckling all morning now :D

John - I completely agree about "Sam Weller". A (rare!) sensible and serviceable name, which suits him to a "t".

"Inspector Bucket" has a similar down-to-earth feel, doesn't it, although of course he is actually very astute and intelligent. Perhaps it's a sort of disguise, to lull people into a false sense of security?

I also like "Uncle Pumblechook" (the name, not the unbearable character!) - and "Aunt Betsey (Trotwood)" too - which both sound so comfortable :)

For now my favourite characters are Sidney Carton and Betsy Trotwood but I still have to read many of Dickens’ books so may be my favourite characters will change.

Bionic Jean wrote: "John - I completely agree about "Sam Weller". A (rare!) sensible and serviceable name, which suits him to a "t".

"Inspector Bucket" has a similar down-to-earth feel, doesn't it, although of cours..."

Jean, one of the things I find so wonderful about Dickens was the way he describes interactions between children and adults. Without giving any of the story line away, Pip’s rather brief interaction with and observations on Pumblechook are for the ages.

Bionic Jean wrote: "I like the masters' names too - and the names of their schools. Here are two more gems:

"Wackford Squeers" of "Dotheboys Hall" in Nicholas Nickleby,
"Mr. Creakle" of "Salem House" i..."
Mr Thomas Gradgrind, the notorious school board Superintendent in "Hard Times" was also a great moniker.

Yes, insisting on "grinding" away to get those grades!

Mr. Tite Barnacle is a hilliarious name as well. The way he is described as "holding onto the ship" just makes it that much better!

Jenny wrote: "Mr. Tite Barnacle is a hilliarious name as well. The way he is described as "holding onto the ship" just makes it that much better!"

Haha, it does!

One of my favourite names is in Nicholas Nickleby, Morleena Kenwigs - I love this description: "...whose uncommon Christian name it may be here remarked that it had been invented and composed by Mrs Kenwigs previous to her first lying-in, for the special distinction of her eldest child, in case it should prove a daughter."

I think Dickens was being cheekily naughty with his character Charley Bates, the Artful Dodger's compadre in Oliver Twist. The character is usually referred to as Master Bates throughout the book.
"“'Wipes,' replied Master Bates; at the same time producing four pocket-handkerchiefs.”

Judy Morleena Kenwigs is such a quirky name!

And moving quickly on past your latest, Jim ... ;)

I quite like the Stiltstalkings, who intermarried with the Barnacles :)

How come no one mentions the Pecksniffs?? Charity Pecksniff and Mercy Pecksniff....

Bionic Jean wrote: "Julie - that's hilarious! I can't quite see it myself ... that fish is nowhere near fancy enough to be called "Dolly Varden"!

I can't help wondering how on earth you discovered such a weird fact, ..."

My father was a fish biologist. :)

Jim wrote: "I think Dickens was being cheekily naughty with his character Charley Bates, the Artful Dodger's compadre in Oliver Twist. The character is usually referred to as Master Bates throughout the book. ..."

Yes, definitely. Especially because the character is nearly always laughing for no clear reason at all.

Julie wrote: "Jim wrote: "I think Dickens was being cheekily naughty with his character Charley Bates, the Artful Dodger's compadre in Oliver Twist. The character is usually referred to as Master Bates throughou..."
Definitely something fishy about the character and not in a Dolly Varden way....

Smallweed...what a name. The family has to carry around screaming grandfather Smallweed like some impoverished, smalltown potentate. "Shake me up, Judy!" He really is a small weed.

Yes, I really like that one, "Smallweed", Mark.

Julie - a fish biologist? Now I understand :)

Helen - We were obviously all waiting for you, to mention three wonderfully named hypocrites. This is one of Charles Dickens's invented names which has even made it to the dictionary:

"Pecksniffian" is defined as affecting benevolence or high moral principles, eg. "he adopted a Pecksniffian tone".

Mr Toots and the dog Diogenes from "Dombey and Son" are fun names for fun characters.