Tuesday, November 3, 2015
New worlds await
On the bookstore sale tables, and in the library, I thumb through pages. Each book I touch, a new world to explore, but I leave empty handed: I have plenty of worlds to finish wandering through before I enter any more. A motivation of sorts to finish this write up. Soon.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Early
I think Dickens' books are difficult to adapt due to the sheer density of them, they'd do well as mini-series, or as "Masterpiece Theatre," as my boss said when I mentioned it to her. He (Cukor) hit all the highpoints (and important dialogue), but with the exceptions of Peggotty (Jessie Ralph), Mr. Micawber (W.C. Fields), and the Murdstones (Basil Rathbone and Violet Kemble Cooper) and to an extent, Steerforth (Hugh Williams, though the complexity of that relationship was missing; and the conflicting influence of both he and Agnes shaping David's life was completely missing), and Barkis (Herbert Mundin), the characters didn't have a chance to develop enough to have the trajectory make sense, they were only lookout points one passes by on a journey. I'm not sure what the overall point or message being told was, the reason for making the film, the point-of-view.
I guess that's the challenge with editing down so much material, and also a story most people would've known at the time, with doing any type of book adaptation; figuring out what story you want to tell in the time you have and casting a line through that, pulling in what supports it, and leaving out the rest (which will always have its critics, because we all have our opinions about what we think the story was about.) I think I heard something to the effect that Chekhov was very terse in his writing, and so the opposite of Dickens...oh, and now I've lost my train of thought. And then I guess I'll have to ask myself, "Does every story have to have a point?" Maybe not when read, but it helps when viewed. It's early, and I've been awake for a while. I'll lastly say, is that a strong story line, point-of-view, helps keep me invested and awake during a performance. It was why I enjoyed Seattle Shakespeare's most recent version of "Othello" so much, a story I don't generally find all that interesting. I mention Shakespeare and Chekhov because those are works that always get edited down for length and (hopefully) story, and so to do well, the director/adapter should have a point-of-view (that would seem to be why you would choose one director over another, a difference of vision, not better or worse, but each one will give you a different production.) It's also why I preferred the Cornish version of "The Three Sisters" over the Seagull Project's (not the acting, I preferred the latter, I think Chekhov needs actors with more life behind them, for one, plus they seemed more invested in the project), there was a definite focus, a point where everything led, and was then resolved, and the story, directing, set, lighting, sound, all led to that one diminished moment. I strongly felt the story the director was telling. (The Seagull Projects' production was beautiful, I'm only referring to the tightness of the story-telling above.)
Ah...I'm rambling. I've more or less finished the book, so, around 200 pages of catch-up, not sure how to do that, so I haven't yet. Perhaps character by character.
I guess that's the challenge with editing down so much material, and also a story most people would've known at the time, with doing any type of book adaptation; figuring out what story you want to tell in the time you have and casting a line through that, pulling in what supports it, and leaving out the rest (which will always have its critics, because we all have our opinions about what we think the story was about.) I think I heard something to the effect that Chekhov was very terse in his writing, and so the opposite of Dickens...oh, and now I've lost my train of thought. And then I guess I'll have to ask myself, "Does every story have to have a point?" Maybe not when read, but it helps when viewed. It's early, and I've been awake for a while. I'll lastly say, is that a strong story line, point-of-view, helps keep me invested and awake during a performance. It was why I enjoyed Seattle Shakespeare's most recent version of "Othello" so much, a story I don't generally find all that interesting. I mention Shakespeare and Chekhov because those are works that always get edited down for length and (hopefully) story, and so to do well, the director/adapter should have a point-of-view (that would seem to be why you would choose one director over another, a difference of vision, not better or worse, but each one will give you a different production.) It's also why I preferred the Cornish version of "The Three Sisters" over the Seagull Project's (not the acting, I preferred the latter, I think Chekhov needs actors with more life behind them, for one, plus they seemed more invested in the project), there was a definite focus, a point where everything led, and was then resolved, and the story, directing, set, lighting, sound, all led to that one diminished moment. I strongly felt the story the director was telling. (The Seagull Projects' production was beautiful, I'm only referring to the tightness of the story-telling above.)
Ah...I'm rambling. I've more or less finished the book, so, around 200 pages of catch-up, not sure how to do that, so I haven't yet. Perhaps character by character.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Watched the film version
Well, the film version is also a George Cukor film. It's a little hokey, and cuts out David's early schooling (so he meets Steerfield in Canterbury), and his job in London, he goes straight to being a writer. I don't know how I would have cut it to two hours, they keep most of the important dialogue, with one big exception being the Annie Strong comments I wrote about in my last post, but she wasn't a character in the movie. I have a little over 100 pages left to read, and I watched the whole movie, because I didn't feel like what was left was any surprise (I already knew how it ended.)
Going for a walk, will catch up on the book later. (Took the day off.)
Going for a walk, will catch up on the book later. (Took the day off.)
Monday, October 19, 2015
It has been a few months
Okay, so I was at the video store, yes, we still have a few, and randomly stood in the C and D director's section, and along with a Cukor film (Philidelphia, great performances by both Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart, by the way) found a film version of David Copperfield, which I rented, but have yet to watch. I was somewhere in the 500's (page-wise), and used it as motivation to keep reading. I am somewhere in the 700's, it has 913, or something, pages in this version. Told myself I had to read it before watching it. Not sure if I will finish the book before I have to return it, but maybe I will watch it up to the point where David and Dora get married, but I'm ahead of myself. So, a lot of update. (And this could be a 10-hour mini-series, curious how it was cut down to two.)
There was a moment I should've mentioned earlier, when Agnes comes to town and makes the suggestion for David to work for Dr. Strong, he walks she and her father to their lodgings and stays late talking with Agnes. As he departs into the night, he looks back up at her in the window and encounters a beggar on the street who mutters to him, "Blind! Blind! Blind!"
David head over to check on his aunt's house, that done to his satisfaction, he makes his way to Canterbury to visit Agnes and Mr. Wickfield. He encounters Micawber in his new post (formerly the post of Uriah Heep.) He feels there is a distance between them now as they talk (due to the influence of Heep, no doubt.) David lets himself into the house. He can scarcely have time alone with Agnes, Uriah's mother is always around on some pretense. Later we find out this is on purpose, to keep Agnes and David from being alone, as he sees David as his rival for Agnes. (Also, Micawber says earlier that he was surprised to hear about Dora, always thinking that the woman of David's affection would have been Agnes. Everyone sees it except David.) Going out on a walk to get away from the Heeps, David finds that Uriah has followed him out. He makes his intentions known, and finds out that David is engaged to Dora. He admits his mother was there to keep David and A apart, but then calls her off when he finds that David is no longer a threat (due to Dora.)
At some later point, Uriah makes his intentions known to Mr. Wickfield, who gets upset. Later still, back in London, David comes by the Strong's house, and seeing a light on, decides to enter Dr. Strong's study. Here he finds, Uriah, Strong, and Wickfield in some scene. Uriah has played his hand (in an attempt to keep Agnes and Annie strong apart) by insinuating a relationship between Annie and her cousin, Jack Maldon, behind Dr. Strong's back. (It isn't true, but that doesn't matter.) He uses both Wickfield and David as evidence, for doubts they may have had, and it doesn't seem to matter how much Wickfield apologizes and says he no longer feels that way, and had thought he'd kept that to himself all this time, but both David and he must admit they had doubts. It doesn't work in Uriah's favor, he miscalculated, thinking he could use this to create a wedge between the men. Their affection for one another is strong, and they cannot lie or deny anything, instead they admit everything, put it all out on the table. David's love for the doctor grows, in witness to his vulnerability and his unwavering devotion to his wife, whatever doubts he may have now to his suitability as a husband to her, he loves her no less. Though it will create a wedge in the marriage, he because he believes himself to be too old and boring for her, and she because she feels the distance this causes and withdraws to try to please him...and their reactions to one another, without communication pulls them further and further apart. After Mr. Wickfield leads the doctor out of the study and Uriah and David are alone, David's anger at being used by Uriah to hurt the doctor causes him to smack Uriah hard, hard enough to redden his cheek, and to later have a tooth removed. And still, Uriah gets the better of him by saying he will not be a party to the fight, and it takes two to fight.
David runs into Mr. Peggotty on the streets of London, and follows him to a public house where he hears of the latter's search across the continent, for Em'ly. Someone follows and waits outside the door in the snow; it is Martha (whom Em'ly had once given money to.) She doesn't come in, Mr. Peggotty does not like her, and she knows it. He has three letters with money inside received at the boat house in Yarmouth, presumably sent by Steerforth. He intends to return the money. He will continue his search. David walks him to his lodgings and then retraces his steps in hopes of finding Martha, but she has gone.
Also, in this section, David writes a letter to Dora's aunts introducing himself, explaining his situation, and asking to visit Dora. (Miss Mills has since moved to India with her father.) He receives a reply that says he can come by, and to bring a trusted confidant. He brings Traddles. David is so comically un-composed on the occasion, that the aunts mistake Traddles for the suitor. Eventually, David is allowed an audience with Dora. And as time goes on, they are allowed more and more time together. On one visit, he brings along Agnes to meet Dora. Dora is afraid of her, but A soon wins her over and they become friends. It is a happy day. It is on the return from the visit that David steps into the confrontation with Uriah, Strong, and Wickfield.
Dora and David are married and set up house. They are young and naive and everyone, from a series of servants, to the shopkeepers and butchers, takes advantage of them, steals from them. Dora asks to be called "child-wife," or rather to be thought of that way, for that's what she is. She cannot make sense of the accounts or cookery book (and both his aunt and Agnes, advise not to force the issue), and is easily distracted when she tries. She does love David and wants to be admired by him, but also useful. At one point, she says she wished that she had been able to live with Agnes for a while in order to learn how to do practical things.
There is a day, when Mr. Dick makes his move to reconcile Annie and Dr. Strong, for they have grown apart and are both aching, for feelings of rejection, Dr. Strong due to Uriah's meddling, and Annie, because she feels the distance. Mr. Dick, sensing something was wrong from the get-go, became an affectionate and constant companion to both, and finally decides to bring them back together. David, his Aunt, and Annie's mother, are also present to witness the reconciliation. Annie had felt a connection to Jack Maldon when she was younger, but never has regretted her marriage to the doctor. She is completely devoted to him. She says, "There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose." "The first mistaken impulse of an undisciplined heart." "My love was founded on a rock." And these phrases stay with and haunt David. He has a "child-wife" whom he adores, and who adores him, and yet he longs for an equal partner and confidant, and he does not have that in Dora. (It does describe his relationship with Agnes.)
One other important event. David finds himself walking past the Steerforth home in Highgate one gloomy evening, when he is accosted by a parlor maid, and brought inside to see Miss Dartle. She has news. She brings Littimer out to tell it. It seems that Em'ly and James stayed together longer than could be expected, she picked up languages well, and fit in with the locals, making friends, angering James (Steerforth) when she admitted her "father" was a boatman, and that she also was once like the children playing on the beach. They eventually could no longer get along, and Steerforth left, saying he'd be back in a few days, but with no intention of returning. He sent Littimer to tell her he wasn't coming back, and also that Littimer should marry her, which he was willing to do for this "master." She flipped out and would've killed herself, but he restrained her, locked her up. She turns out to be fairly cunning, and escapes by breaking open the sealed window, and climbing down a vine and disappearing. No one know if she is alive or dead.
Of Miss Dartle, who says to David, "If she is not found, perhaps she never will be found. She may be dead!" David says, "The vaunting cruelty with which she met my glance, I never saw expressed in any other face that ever I have seen." And that's saying something, considering all his encounters with the Murdstones, the schools, and Uriah Heep. (Speaking of the Murdstones, they are the only story line not to turn up in this section.)
After Littimer is finished with his information (for which Miss Dartle paid him), he is dismissed. Mrs. Steerforth enters, looking much older. She speaks to David of his life, briefly, finally saying, "You have no mother?...It is a pity...She would have been proud of you. Good-night."
And lastly, David goes to find Mr. Peggotty, whom he believes to still be in London. He finds him, tells him what he heard. Mr. Peggotty believes Em'ly to still be alive. David mentions Martha, Mr. Peggotty says he has seen her. So they go out into the night in search of her.
And they have spied her and have followed her to a river. That's where I've left off.
Oh, and around the time of the marriage, David has become a stenographer, and so does court reporting, and also a writer, beginning to gain some recognition by the time he encounters Mrs. Steerforth, hence, her comments have to do with both his marriage to Dora, and his writing career.
There was a moment I should've mentioned earlier, when Agnes comes to town and makes the suggestion for David to work for Dr. Strong, he walks she and her father to their lodgings and stays late talking with Agnes. As he departs into the night, he looks back up at her in the window and encounters a beggar on the street who mutters to him, "Blind! Blind! Blind!"
David head over to check on his aunt's house, that done to his satisfaction, he makes his way to Canterbury to visit Agnes and Mr. Wickfield. He encounters Micawber in his new post (formerly the post of Uriah Heep.) He feels there is a distance between them now as they talk (due to the influence of Heep, no doubt.) David lets himself into the house. He can scarcely have time alone with Agnes, Uriah's mother is always around on some pretense. Later we find out this is on purpose, to keep Agnes and David from being alone, as he sees David as his rival for Agnes. (Also, Micawber says earlier that he was surprised to hear about Dora, always thinking that the woman of David's affection would have been Agnes. Everyone sees it except David.) Going out on a walk to get away from the Heeps, David finds that Uriah has followed him out. He makes his intentions known, and finds out that David is engaged to Dora. He admits his mother was there to keep David and A apart, but then calls her off when he finds that David is no longer a threat (due to Dora.)
At some later point, Uriah makes his intentions known to Mr. Wickfield, who gets upset. Later still, back in London, David comes by the Strong's house, and seeing a light on, decides to enter Dr. Strong's study. Here he finds, Uriah, Strong, and Wickfield in some scene. Uriah has played his hand (in an attempt to keep Agnes and Annie strong apart) by insinuating a relationship between Annie and her cousin, Jack Maldon, behind Dr. Strong's back. (It isn't true, but that doesn't matter.) He uses both Wickfield and David as evidence, for doubts they may have had, and it doesn't seem to matter how much Wickfield apologizes and says he no longer feels that way, and had thought he'd kept that to himself all this time, but both David and he must admit they had doubts. It doesn't work in Uriah's favor, he miscalculated, thinking he could use this to create a wedge between the men. Their affection for one another is strong, and they cannot lie or deny anything, instead they admit everything, put it all out on the table. David's love for the doctor grows, in witness to his vulnerability and his unwavering devotion to his wife, whatever doubts he may have now to his suitability as a husband to her, he loves her no less. Though it will create a wedge in the marriage, he because he believes himself to be too old and boring for her, and she because she feels the distance this causes and withdraws to try to please him...and their reactions to one another, without communication pulls them further and further apart. After Mr. Wickfield leads the doctor out of the study and Uriah and David are alone, David's anger at being used by Uriah to hurt the doctor causes him to smack Uriah hard, hard enough to redden his cheek, and to later have a tooth removed. And still, Uriah gets the better of him by saying he will not be a party to the fight, and it takes two to fight.
David runs into Mr. Peggotty on the streets of London, and follows him to a public house where he hears of the latter's search across the continent, for Em'ly. Someone follows and waits outside the door in the snow; it is Martha (whom Em'ly had once given money to.) She doesn't come in, Mr. Peggotty does not like her, and she knows it. He has three letters with money inside received at the boat house in Yarmouth, presumably sent by Steerforth. He intends to return the money. He will continue his search. David walks him to his lodgings and then retraces his steps in hopes of finding Martha, but she has gone.
Also, in this section, David writes a letter to Dora's aunts introducing himself, explaining his situation, and asking to visit Dora. (Miss Mills has since moved to India with her father.) He receives a reply that says he can come by, and to bring a trusted confidant. He brings Traddles. David is so comically un-composed on the occasion, that the aunts mistake Traddles for the suitor. Eventually, David is allowed an audience with Dora. And as time goes on, they are allowed more and more time together. On one visit, he brings along Agnes to meet Dora. Dora is afraid of her, but A soon wins her over and they become friends. It is a happy day. It is on the return from the visit that David steps into the confrontation with Uriah, Strong, and Wickfield.
Dora and David are married and set up house. They are young and naive and everyone, from a series of servants, to the shopkeepers and butchers, takes advantage of them, steals from them. Dora asks to be called "child-wife," or rather to be thought of that way, for that's what she is. She cannot make sense of the accounts or cookery book (and both his aunt and Agnes, advise not to force the issue), and is easily distracted when she tries. She does love David and wants to be admired by him, but also useful. At one point, she says she wished that she had been able to live with Agnes for a while in order to learn how to do practical things.
There is a day, when Mr. Dick makes his move to reconcile Annie and Dr. Strong, for they have grown apart and are both aching, for feelings of rejection, Dr. Strong due to Uriah's meddling, and Annie, because she feels the distance. Mr. Dick, sensing something was wrong from the get-go, became an affectionate and constant companion to both, and finally decides to bring them back together. David, his Aunt, and Annie's mother, are also present to witness the reconciliation. Annie had felt a connection to Jack Maldon when she was younger, but never has regretted her marriage to the doctor. She is completely devoted to him. She says, "There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose." "The first mistaken impulse of an undisciplined heart." "My love was founded on a rock." And these phrases stay with and haunt David. He has a "child-wife" whom he adores, and who adores him, and yet he longs for an equal partner and confidant, and he does not have that in Dora. (It does describe his relationship with Agnes.)
One other important event. David finds himself walking past the Steerforth home in Highgate one gloomy evening, when he is accosted by a parlor maid, and brought inside to see Miss Dartle. She has news. She brings Littimer out to tell it. It seems that Em'ly and James stayed together longer than could be expected, she picked up languages well, and fit in with the locals, making friends, angering James (Steerforth) when she admitted her "father" was a boatman, and that she also was once like the children playing on the beach. They eventually could no longer get along, and Steerforth left, saying he'd be back in a few days, but with no intention of returning. He sent Littimer to tell her he wasn't coming back, and also that Littimer should marry her, which he was willing to do for this "master." She flipped out and would've killed herself, but he restrained her, locked her up. She turns out to be fairly cunning, and escapes by breaking open the sealed window, and climbing down a vine and disappearing. No one know if she is alive or dead.
Of Miss Dartle, who says to David, "If she is not found, perhaps she never will be found. She may be dead!" David says, "The vaunting cruelty with which she met my glance, I never saw expressed in any other face that ever I have seen." And that's saying something, considering all his encounters with the Murdstones, the schools, and Uriah Heep. (Speaking of the Murdstones, they are the only story line not to turn up in this section.)
After Littimer is finished with his information (for which Miss Dartle paid him), he is dismissed. Mrs. Steerforth enters, looking much older. She speaks to David of his life, briefly, finally saying, "You have no mother?...It is a pity...She would have been proud of you. Good-night."
And lastly, David goes to find Mr. Peggotty, whom he believes to still be in London. He finds him, tells him what he heard. Mr. Peggotty believes Em'ly to still be alive. David mentions Martha, Mr. Peggotty says he has seen her. So they go out into the night in search of her.
And they have spied her and have followed her to a river. That's where I've left off.
Oh, and around the time of the marriage, David has become a stenographer, and so does court reporting, and also a writer, beginning to gain some recognition by the time he encounters Mrs. Steerforth, hence, her comments have to do with both his marriage to Dora, and his writing career.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Not-so-silent Reading
Went to another (my second) "Silent Reading" events at the Sorrento Hotel last night. Not quite as silent as before, and I was guilty of some of that talking. I sat on a bar stool, and then a couple sat to my right. The woman didn't realize that she was supposed to bring a book, and I had two, so I offered her "David Copperfield." I had brought it to read myself, but during the day had received noticed of a library hold arriving, so had that one as well (plus an acting book in my bag, which I eventually ended up reading; a section on preparing Shakespeare material.) She was flipping through so fast, it made me anxious that I had bad taste, and though I try to talk myself out of worrying what other people think of me, or if they are not enjoying themselves, because it really is none of my business, I do still worry, and consequently, couldn't focus on the library book.
Anyway, my talking involved mentioning that it was somewhat autobiographical, and she mentioned it was kinda' depressing, things kept going bad for David (they do.) It's funny, I don't think of this one as being a particularly depressing book. He has a lot of people on his side, that bring brightness to his (pretty grim) life. She managed to skim through to the point where he finds Betsey, which really is where his life starts looking up. At one point, I also mentioned that Dickens was concerned about child labor practices, exposing that in his novels. Also mentioned his complicated relationship with his mother, why Clara in the book is ineffectual as a mother and protector of David.
I managed to pour a drink on myself, and tried to calmly wipe it up (mostly it was all over my hand and arm, and the counter), not really sure how I spilled it, I missed my mouth or something...was not drunk, just clumsy. Fell asleep on the bus home, had only gotten four hours of sleep the night before. Thankfully woke up for my stop, as this bus terminates no where near my house. Went home fell asleep immediately. Spilled my lunch on the floor at work, and then smacked my forehead on the bookshelf when I bent down to pick it up, have I mentioned having really bad peripheral awareness? I hope that's my three clumsy things for the time being. I have read a bit further, but not written about it yet. David goes to Canterbury to check on the house, at the request of this aunt, and stops in to visit Agnes. More to follow.
Nope. More clumsy follows.
Anyway, my talking involved mentioning that it was somewhat autobiographical, and she mentioned it was kinda' depressing, things kept going bad for David (they do.) It's funny, I don't think of this one as being a particularly depressing book. He has a lot of people on his side, that bring brightness to his (pretty grim) life. She managed to skim through to the point where he finds Betsey, which really is where his life starts looking up. At one point, I also mentioned that Dickens was concerned about child labor practices, exposing that in his novels. Also mentioned his complicated relationship with his mother, why Clara in the book is ineffectual as a mother and protector of David.
I managed to pour a drink on myself, and tried to calmly wipe it up (mostly it was all over my hand and arm, and the counter), not really sure how I spilled it, I missed my mouth or something...was not drunk, just clumsy. Fell asleep on the bus home, had only gotten four hours of sleep the night before. Thankfully woke up for my stop, as this bus terminates no where near my house. Went home fell asleep immediately. Spilled my lunch on the floor at work, and then smacked my forehead on the bookshelf when I bent down to pick it up, have I mentioned having really bad peripheral awareness? I hope that's my three clumsy things for the time being. I have read a bit further, but not written about it yet. David goes to Canterbury to check on the house, at the request of this aunt, and stops in to visit Agnes. More to follow.
Nope. More clumsy follows.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Getting by
Thought I would have enough time to water my garden, eat, and maybe get a little writing done between work and a 7 pm show. Got the watering done, but the bus was a little late, and so I was trying to eat the Taco Time veggie burrito between the ringing of the bell and the start of the show, out in the lobby. The house manager offered to refrigerate it for me, which I mention because it was nice, but in the end unnecessary. (Great Soul of Russia, stories tonight by Chekov, Patricia Highsmith, and Elmore Leonard, curated/directed by Jean Sherrard.) After, the sky still light, the air warmer than in the theatre. Two people washing their hair via the drinking fountain and a Starbucks cup, next to the bus stop, in the waning light. Finally on the bus and heading home, a sliver of the moon falling westward above the mountains, still silhouetted against the remnants of a blazing red sunset. At home, the attic is boiling, even with only half a day of sun.
In no particular order: Peggotty heads back to Yarmouth, but not before letting David know that if he ever needs financial help, he only needs to ask. After conversing with Traddles, David decides to teach himself shorthand, in order to get ahead. Traddles and David attend a farewell party for the Micawbers, who it turns out are leaving for Canterbury. Mr. Micawber has been hired by none other than Uriah Heep. Mrs. Micawber seems to have some regret as to her union with Mr. Micawber, the instability of their life. She mentions reading and coming to understand the vows of marriage the night before they wed, but now seems to wonder if she perhaps was incorrect in her understanding. David finally sees Dora again and explains his situation. She cries. And cries. (She's a bit of a nit.) Miss Mills sorts it out.
At work, David is called into speak to Mr. Spenlow (Dora's father), Miss Murdstone is there, she has discovered (through snooping) the relationship of Dora and David, and now has all the correspondence and has revealed to Spenlow. Mr. Spenlow tells David it is all the foolishness of youth and forbids the relationship and any further contact between the two (with the added threat of sending Dora abroad if it should occur.) David leaves in a state of despair, oh, and apparently Mr. Murdstone is married again.
He meets with Miss Mills, pleads his case, leaves in a greater state of despair, but comments that she seemed to revel in the situation. She is a fan of all the drama and romance, meeting him in secret, when in fact he could have walked in the front door.
The following day he arrives at work to find everyone milling about, he rushes in and is told the news: Spenlow is dead. David faints. Apparently, he stayed late in town, and died alone on the road home, the horses arriving with the carriage at the gate, and he found later some ways back, lying on the road. David finds himself jealous of Death, that anything should push himself into the recesses of Dora's mind. That he cannot be there to comfort her himself. He sends a message to her through Aunt Betsey.
Jorkins and Tiffey ask David to help them go through Spenlow's papers at the Commons. They are looking for a will, having not found one elsewhere. David is convinced there must be one, from the earlier conversations where Spenlow said that Dora was taken care of, but the others believe one was never written.
It turns out there was no will, he lived beyond his means, and with the sale of his property, 1,000 pounds remained. Dora is sent to live with two maiden aunts in Putney, along with Jip (her dog) and Miss Mills. David finds a way to regularly meet with Miss Mills, and read her diary of what has been happening.
In no particular order: Peggotty heads back to Yarmouth, but not before letting David know that if he ever needs financial help, he only needs to ask. After conversing with Traddles, David decides to teach himself shorthand, in order to get ahead. Traddles and David attend a farewell party for the Micawbers, who it turns out are leaving for Canterbury. Mr. Micawber has been hired by none other than Uriah Heep. Mrs. Micawber seems to have some regret as to her union with Mr. Micawber, the instability of their life. She mentions reading and coming to understand the vows of marriage the night before they wed, but now seems to wonder if she perhaps was incorrect in her understanding. David finally sees Dora again and explains his situation. She cries. And cries. (She's a bit of a nit.) Miss Mills sorts it out.
At work, David is called into speak to Mr. Spenlow (Dora's father), Miss Murdstone is there, she has discovered (through snooping) the relationship of Dora and David, and now has all the correspondence and has revealed to Spenlow. Mr. Spenlow tells David it is all the foolishness of youth and forbids the relationship and any further contact between the two (with the added threat of sending Dora abroad if it should occur.) David leaves in a state of despair, oh, and apparently Mr. Murdstone is married again.
He meets with Miss Mills, pleads his case, leaves in a greater state of despair, but comments that she seemed to revel in the situation. She is a fan of all the drama and romance, meeting him in secret, when in fact he could have walked in the front door.
The following day he arrives at work to find everyone milling about, he rushes in and is told the news: Spenlow is dead. David faints. Apparently, he stayed late in town, and died alone on the road home, the horses arriving with the carriage at the gate, and he found later some ways back, lying on the road. David finds himself jealous of Death, that anything should push himself into the recesses of Dora's mind. That he cannot be there to comfort her himself. He sends a message to her through Aunt Betsey.
Jorkins and Tiffey ask David to help them go through Spenlow's papers at the Commons. They are looking for a will, having not found one elsewhere. David is convinced there must be one, from the earlier conversations where Spenlow said that Dora was taken care of, but the others believe one was never written.
It turns out there was no will, he lived beyond his means, and with the sale of his property, 1,000 pounds remained. Dora is sent to live with two maiden aunts in Putney, along with Jip (her dog) and Miss Mills. David finds a way to regularly meet with Miss Mills, and read her diary of what has been happening.
"Miss Mills and her journal were my sole consolation at this period. To see her, who had seen Dora but a little while before - to trace the initial letter of Dora's name through her sympathetic pages - to be made more and more miserable by her - were my only comforts. I felt as if I had been living in a palace of cards, which had tumbled down, leaving only Miss Mills and me among the ruins; as if some grim enchanter had drawn a magic circle round the innocent goddess of my heart, which nothing indeed but those same strong pinions, capable of carrying so many people over so much, would enable me to enter." - Dickens, David Copperfield.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Want to finish
I've got to finish this book, but it's a bit of a burden to read with the idea of writing about it as you go. And I'm so slow about it, Cliff Notes, this ain't. I think I've read this section three times. Betsey lost her money through her own bad investments. She had formerly invested through Mr. Wickfield (Agnes' father), but thought she knew better and was proven wrong. She has only 70 pounds per year now, from the rental of the cottage. After learning of this, Agnes asks David if he would be willing to be a secretary to Dr. Strong, his former teacher, who is now retired and residing in London. David finds this agreeable, and writes him a letter. He goes to visit the next morning in Highgate, arriving early, he wanders and sneaks a look at Steerforth's house, sees Miss Dartle pacing like a chained animal.
Dr. Strong is delighted to see David. They agree on the terms, mornings and evenings, for 70 pounds a year (it doubles Betsey and David's living.) He has breakfast with the Strongs. While settling down, Jack Maldon (back from India, which didn't suit him, and employed in some way through Dr. Strong) arrives on horseback, with great affected disinterest in the world. Asks if Annie would like to go to the opera with him in the evening. She tries to decline but her husband, who is much older than she, insists that she go and be entertained. She does manage to get out of it, by deigning to visit Agnes that evening with Dr. Strong, and coming back home through the moonlit fields (presumably to avoid any encounter with Jack on the road.)
David finds employment for Mr. Dick, who is fretful over the sudden change in Aunt Betsey's circumstances. They go to visit Traddles, who employs Mr. Dick with copying of legal documents, overseen by Betsey. He earns ten shillings, nine pence, and is so proud to be able to help out with expenses. Pleasure had by this all around.
Traddles produces a letter from Mr. Micawber announcing the latter's departure from London, and inviting David and Traddles to a farewell party that evening.
A little less than 400 pages to go! I finally watched "Sunset Blvd" the other night, I'm reminded of it now because the protagonist compares the old mansion and the woman within to "Great Expectations" and Miss Havisham, stuck and rotting in her past, refusing to live, and punishing everyone for one incident that happened many years ago. I'm glad to finally get the references.
(And I go such long stretches between reading, I forget what I've already stated. I see now that I've stated several things in more than one post.)
Dr. Strong is delighted to see David. They agree on the terms, mornings and evenings, for 70 pounds a year (it doubles Betsey and David's living.) He has breakfast with the Strongs. While settling down, Jack Maldon (back from India, which didn't suit him, and employed in some way through Dr. Strong) arrives on horseback, with great affected disinterest in the world. Asks if Annie would like to go to the opera with him in the evening. She tries to decline but her husband, who is much older than she, insists that she go and be entertained. She does manage to get out of it, by deigning to visit Agnes that evening with Dr. Strong, and coming back home through the moonlit fields (presumably to avoid any encounter with Jack on the road.)
David finds employment for Mr. Dick, who is fretful over the sudden change in Aunt Betsey's circumstances. They go to visit Traddles, who employs Mr. Dick with copying of legal documents, overseen by Betsey. He earns ten shillings, nine pence, and is so proud to be able to help out with expenses. Pleasure had by this all around.
Traddles produces a letter from Mr. Micawber announcing the latter's departure from London, and inviting David and Traddles to a farewell party that evening.
A little less than 400 pages to go! I finally watched "Sunset Blvd" the other night, I'm reminded of it now because the protagonist compares the old mansion and the woman within to "Great Expectations" and Miss Havisham, stuck and rotting in her past, refusing to live, and punishing everyone for one incident that happened many years ago. I'm glad to finally get the references.
(And I go such long stretches between reading, I forget what I've already stated. I see now that I've stated several things in more than one post.)
Friday, April 3, 2015
Reminder
Ran into the friend that always asks me how "David Copperfield is going." (When the conversation started, in 2012, I was reading "Great Expectations," I think.) Re-read a bit on the bus, where Peggotty and David help Traddles buy back his belongings, and when David and P arrive back at the lodgings they find Aunt Betsey and Dick in the room, with Mrs. Crupp making them tea, all their belongings at there feet. When Mrs. Crupp is finally dismissed (Betsey calling out her false servitude "a time-server and wealth-worshipper"), we learn that Betsey is "ruined." She has only what is with her, and has left Janet to let out the house. We don't know why. The chapter ends with her words to Trot (David), "we must learn to act the play out. We must live misfortune down, Trot."
Later, we learn that Peggotty (now known as Barkis, since Betsey detests the name of "Peggotty") offered her money, and Betsey tries to hide how moved she is by this. She declined. She knows about both the fate of Em'ly and that David loves Dora.
David lies in bed all night tortured by his new found circumstances, he can't possibly court or marry Dora with no living. He decides to explain his cause to Mr. Spenlow the next morning, to be released from his articles (he doesn't get paid) so that he can work for money. Mr. Spenlow refuses, saying that Mr. Jenkins would object. David goes to see Jenkins, who refuses and runs out on the pretense of another appointment, not to return for three more days. David leaves without an out.
A carriage pulls up to him as he walks home. It's Agnes. ("She was like Hope embodied to me.") Her father and Uriah had become partners and were also in town. Agnes was there to visit Betsey. Uriah and his mother have moved into the home with Agnes and her father. He comes between them, she can't watch over her father as she would like. ("if any fraud or treachery is practising against him, I hope that simply love and truth will be stronger in the end. I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world.") They go to Betsey. She, in her way, tells them that she lost all of her money in bad investments. After all this, Agnes offers David a job as secretary to Dr. Strong.
Later still, Mr. Wickfield and Uriah stop by the lodgings. David is struck by the power shift between the two, how Uriah holds the power and Wickfield subservient to him, a degrading spectacle. Uriah the devil, and Agnes the angel.
Later, we learn that Peggotty (now known as Barkis, since Betsey detests the name of "Peggotty") offered her money, and Betsey tries to hide how moved she is by this. She declined. She knows about both the fate of Em'ly and that David loves Dora.
David lies in bed all night tortured by his new found circumstances, he can't possibly court or marry Dora with no living. He decides to explain his cause to Mr. Spenlow the next morning, to be released from his articles (he doesn't get paid) so that he can work for money. Mr. Spenlow refuses, saying that Mr. Jenkins would object. David goes to see Jenkins, who refuses and runs out on the pretense of another appointment, not to return for three more days. David leaves without an out.
A carriage pulls up to him as he walks home. It's Agnes. ("She was like Hope embodied to me.") Her father and Uriah had become partners and were also in town. Agnes was there to visit Betsey. Uriah and his mother have moved into the home with Agnes and her father. He comes between them, she can't watch over her father as she would like. ("if any fraud or treachery is practising against him, I hope that simply love and truth will be stronger in the end. I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world.") They go to Betsey. She, in her way, tells them that she lost all of her money in bad investments. After all this, Agnes offers David a job as secretary to Dr. Strong.
Later still, Mr. Wickfield and Uriah stop by the lodgings. David is struck by the power shift between the two, how Uriah holds the power and Wickfield subservient to him, a degrading spectacle. Uriah the devil, and Agnes the angel.
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