Richard’s Sadness—Lily Caswell

 In chapter 60, there is a dinner scene in which Richard is given a very interesting description. Dickens writes that “There is a ruin of youth which is not like age; and into sluice a ruin Richard’s youth and youthful beauty had all fallen away. He ate little and seemed indifferent what is was; showed himself to be much more impatient than he used to be; and was quick, even with Ada. I thought, at first, that his old light-hearted manner was all gone; but it shone out of him sometimes… His laugh had not quite left him either; but it was like the echo of a joyful sound, and that is always sorrowful. Yet he was glad as ever, in his old affections way…” (Dickens, p 722)

I like how Dickens describes the loss of Richard’s youth. I think it could be similar to a loss of innocence in the sense of children because I feel like sometimes children grow up too fast because of either circumstances or unrestricted access to certain things (i.e. the internet). I also like Dickens’ description of Richard’s laugh because I think of it as an empty laugh with no true humor behind it. 

Did anyone else think the same thing?

I commented on Samantha’s and Emmett’s posts.