Small Talk /////// Isabelle Ferguson

    The weather and other external conditions seem to be a favorite for Dickens to use in symbolism. We talked in class about how difficult it was at home for him, what with the child labor, manure-filled streets, poverty, and whatnot. I can't help but think Dickens channels this as symbolism in his writing. We see him using the fog in the first chapter to portray confusion surrounding the Megalosaurus, which is fitting since we don't know what to expect from this comical character. In Chapter 12 he describes a rainy scene before going into the dreary mood of Lady Dedlock. In Chapter 16 Sir Leicester is revealed to have gout in his legs, a very painful condition. This is slightly different, but I'm choosing to count it as an external factor. Dickens uses the environment to set a mood for his chapters and keep his audience captivated in the story. We're not just entranced by his creative characters, we're drawn in by the setting Dickens portrays. 

    I'm not sure how many aspiring authors are in this class, but Mr. McCloud did spend half of class time describing the benefits of reading the classics. It would be smart to take a page from Dickens to improve in our own writing. He uses an aspect of general small talk to capture the audience. Talking about the weather is a comfortable topic that everyone can relate to, stranger or not. I wonder what other tips we can pick up from masterpieces like the one we're reading now. 


P.S. I commented on Emma Kate Patterson's and Emmett's posts.

Comments

  1. Emily ThullesenNovember 1, 2021 at 10:38 PM

    Dickens is a favorite of mine, and his symbolism is always satisfying to me. The specific example of the weather was one that really stuck out in the beginning of this novel, so much to the point that I wrote my other blog post about it. He does an incredible job portraying his overall message through the simplest things, such as describing the weather. - Emily Thullesen

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  2. Ian BlairNovember 2, 2021 at 5:36 AM

    I honestly think that the described setting is most likely going to foreshadow the scene that is to follow at this point. Dickens' style seems to heavily use the world building details in order to immerse the reader into the story before the characters draw in the emotional investment, thus keeping the reader engaged for a chapter, or chapters, at a time. Good post!

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  3. Abigale BellNovember 2, 2021 at 9:23 AM

    I love the way Dickens uses the characters' atmosphere to create a mood in his stories. I think this is truly great writing. To be able to use small details and layer upon layer of symbolism to draw the reader in is the hight of great writing.

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