It was a room, not unacquainted with the black ladder under various tenants; but as neat, at present, as such a room could be. A few books and writings were on an old bureau in a corner, the furniture was decent and sufficient, and, though the atmosphere was tainted, the room was clean.
Going to the hearth to set the candle down upon a round three-legged table standing there, he stumbled against something. As he recoiled, looking down at it, it raised itself up into the form of a woman in a sitting attitude.
"Heaven's mercy, woman!" he cried, falling father off from the figure. "Hast thou come back again!"
Such a woman! A disabled, drunken creature, barely able to preserve her sitting posture by steadying herself with one begrimed hand on the floor, while the other was so purposeless in trying to push away her tangled hair from her face, that it only blinded her the more with the dirt upon it. A creature so foul to look at, in her tatters, stains and splashes, but so much fouler than that in her moral infamy, that it was a shameful thing even to see her (103).
In this passage we can see the distress that Stephen's wife causes him. Is as if he want to get rid of her, because she is always haunting him and even worse she is in a very bad condition. You can get the sense of hatred towards his wife especially when he says " a creature so foul to look at". Is interesting to see how much he dislike his wife, because at one point he probably loved this woman and felt the complete apposite.
ReplyDeleteIs it Stephen calling her a "creature"? Why is this an important distinction?
DeleteThe narrator is calling her a "creature" and I think it is an important distinction because of the value of objectivity and representation. If Stephen called her a "creature" the reader may have dismissed it as subjective but if the narrator called her a "creature" then the reader could see it as more objective. This is also important for representation because as we have repeatedly said in class Dickens is writing for the upper class so they can reform society, so Dickens wants to show the upper class that poor people and the lower class do face serious problems. By making the narrator call her a "creature" Dickens wants the reader to take this marriage problem seriously.
DeleteIf he referred to her as a woman she would perhaps gain empathy and sympathy.As previously discussed despite a woman's fall she has the ability to redeem herself;but I think Dickens choice of diction indicates that she is without redemption. A woman who would rather succumb to alcohol has lost her chance for redemption.
DeleteRight, it is hard to believe this is the same writer who wrote the "Appeal to Fallen Women." He certainly seems to have given up on Stephen's wife.
DeleteI think Dickens does a really good job at humanizing people of the lower class during his time by showing both positive and negative aspects of their lives. In this instance, Stephen's wife's alcoholism is an accurate depiction of the life of many poor people who turned to alcohol to escape their horrid living condition. However, it's interesting to see Dickens deliberately choose the word creature to describe the wife. It's as if she is of another species, not human-like but rather animal-like. In class we spoke about how Dickens tried to get the upper class of London during his time to see the poor as human beings like themselves with feelings, fears and aspirations. However, he chooses the word creature which really creates a separation between both groups so that word especially stands out to me. Perhaps it's Dickens' own feelings about alcoholism and how it ruins peoples lives.
ReplyDeleteDickens characterization of Stephen's wife could be that Dickens is trying to illustrate how bad marriages could turn out and that poor people like rich people do sometimes need to divorce. Dickens characterized the wife in such a way so that readers could feel sympathy for Stephen and maybe some readers will act upon looking for marriage reform. I do also agree with you in saying that Dickens does want to critique alcoholism. Alcohol for the lower class and poor people was a means of a escape from social ills but it was also self-destructive because it only made their situaions worst.
DeleteI totally agree with you Sean. In the times Dickens was writing divorce was unheard of because of this Dickens could not flat out promote divorce. Instead he shows Stephen’s unhappy marital situation. A wife is suppose to be pure, a caregiver, homemaker and all that good stuff.
DeleteBut by characterizing Stephen’s wife as a “drunken creature, barely able to preserve her sitting posture by steadying herself with one begrimed hand on the floor…a creature so foul to look at” it dehumanizes her. Dickens is trying to show the reader that Stephen is not married to a wife but some sort of wild animal that cannot function. This lets the reader sympathize with Stephen and his forever bind to his wife/creature. The reader may star to reconsider the notion of divorce after reading what poor Stephen is married to.
Excellent discussion, so far. You are all right to pause on whether Dickens, using de-humanizing language to describe Stephen's wife, is going against his usual purpose of trying to represent the humanity of the poor. Whether alcoholism represents a special exception to his generosity of spirit is an interesting question. I guess you'd have to look for evidence in other works to detect a pattern. A couple things that future commenters can address: is there something particularly awful about a FEMALE drunk? How would you characterize that language in the final sentence and how does this line up with his other representations of women? Also, for this whole quotation we are in the dwelling of the poor (Stephen's room) -- what representation of the lives of the poor are given here (in addition to the drunken creature paragraph)?
ReplyDeleteI think this excerpt is definitely an amazing piece of writing. Why? Well first off, I believe there is a double meaning when Dickens writes "Such a woman! A disabled, drunken creature...a creature so foul to look at, in her tatters, stains and splashes, but so much fouler than that in her more infamy, that it was a shameful thing to even see her" , which serves as an allusion to the problems of poverty and the role of women in society. It appears that seeing a woman resort to being an alcoholic is equivalent to being labeled a creature because she represents that abomination that society has allowed her to become, which is attributed primarily to poverty. The second meaning of this foul creature is a gender-based issue in which a woman would carry herself in such a manner. Certainly a drunkard woman is a far cry from the "Dickensian" woman based on what we know of Dickens so far.
ReplyDeleteJoe gets at the heart of the matter here. Is Stephen's wife a "creature" because she has so violated Dickens's ideas of what constitutes a good woman OR is she a victim of poverty and her inhumanity is a result of that rather than gender role transgressions? The only way to look for an answer to this broader question is to think about where else Dickens shows poverty/social structures hurting/dehumanizing people and where else he assigns personal responsibility to people for how they act.
DeleteWhen I read this passage, I couldn't help but remember the letter to the fallen women of England. The passage shows consistency with how he felt about women, which are not being the epitome of "good". Moreover, he degrades Stephen's wife-- objectivity-- so he can make a point on what women are not suppose to be.
ReplyDeleteThe description of Stephen's wife is very perplexing. If Dickens is trying to raise the issue of the purity of women, then why does he illustrate the exact opposite? In Oliver Twist, we see a similar case when he presents Nancy. Though she might be a prostitute, Dickens portrays her as a noble and a virtuous woman. However, Stephen's wife appears in the "form of a woman" and a "drunken creature". To whom does she appear as a creature? This, I think, is very important. Professor Reitz points this out also. I think this can be left for the reader to decide. Furthermore, the description is very powerful that it appears as if Dickens is personifying the foulness and the dirt. Perhaps this "creature" is completely independent and is forcibly possessing Stephen's wife.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that Dickens does a great job characterizing the poor. Indeed, poor people rather drink alcholo rather than the contaiminated water. Dickens purposely mentions Stephen's wife's alcoholic problems to highlight the struggles of poor people. Usually, women would be associated with purity and innocence, but since poverty was so severe during this time period even women turn to alcohol as their vice.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem with her being drunk is that she is a female. we already know that Dickens favors characters like Rose, and when he compares characters to creatures Fagin and Mr Bumble come to mind. Stephens wife is a character Dickens wants us to see as shameful,bad,evil because of her misrepresentation of what a woman "should" be and act like.
DeleteI think alcohol is the reason that she is being referred to as a creature. All the 'creature-like' things Stephen's wife is doing are all attributed to alcohol. Dickens captures that with his description of her.
ReplyDeleteRegarding something 'awful' as a drunken woman - yes, something is wrong with an alcoholic woman. But a problem exists with anyone who is an alcoholic. Yet, women always seem to be the nucleus of a family - the main nurterer, the sweet, and the loving parent. When that system is broken down due to alcoholism it is as though the whole institution of a family is ruined. Stephen cannot have children with a drunk wife. His 'wife' cannot make the home, what a home should really be because she is drunk and that is why she is a creature.
So interesting. So one of the problems with a female drunk is that she can't be a Good Mother, which is the pinnacle of achievement in the Dickensian universe (and yet, so hard to find!).
DeleteThere is no doubt that Dickens’s description of Stephen’s wife is powerful and is intended to make a statement about alcoholism, poverty and women. However, what standouts to me most about this passage are the details on Stephen’s room: “It was a room, not unacquainted with the black ladder under various tenants; but as neat, at present, as such a room could be. A few books and writings were on an old bureau in a corner, the furniture was decent and sufficient, and, though the atmosphere was tainted, the room was clean” (103). Knowing the condition of Stephen’s wife it is clear that she is not responsible for the orderly manner of the room. Therefore, I agree with Sean Whetstone that Dickens wants to advocate for the poor’s right to attain divorces. He wants the readers to sympathize with Stephen who is able to make something out of nothing. The description of his room instills the message that regardless, of his class he is a decent and moralistic and he values education. Stephen’s wife does not complete any of the functions of being a wife. She does not provide financially or homely. Instead, she creates misery for the decent man, Stephen.
ReplyDeleteThis passage reminds me of "The Streets - Night," because of Dickens's word choice. He refers to the guitar playing woman as a creature, yet it is clear he uses sarcasm and patronizes those of the upper class. THIS creature is different though; he describes her as if she was a corpse. His tone is very dark, but equally genuine. Dickens, u mad, bro? (internet lingo)
ReplyDeleteI think Ibrahim's constant mentioning of the "creature," is a good indication of just how horrific Dickens's description is.
As many of you mentioned, it is very odd for Dickens to stray from his usual stylistic approach. Perhaps he has found a level on the hierarchical plane that is worse than the ignorant members of the upper class. The members of the lower class who voluntarily contribute to their demise are "so much fouler than" those who shun them.
The description of the room gives us clear insight as to the character of Stephen, as Roshanica points out. Dickens is definitely drawing a contrast between the morally infamous woman and the seemingly good Stephen. Perhaps it is to show the reader (at the time) that there exists in this "blackened" community a mix and range of people who also suffer from similar ailments as themselves, humanizing them. In particular, we are inclined to sympathize with Stephen, who is shameful simply for being married to this woman.
ReplyDeleteI know a few people mentioned that it is particularly bad that it is a woman who is drunk, but to be perfectly honest, I do not see the description indicating this. Yes, she is dirty, drunk, and a miserable sight but I don’t see how this description wouldn’t apply to a drunken man. I would think that a drunkard of this degree would be abhorred by everyone, whether male or female.
The details of Stephen's room is quite intriguing as Roshanica and John both have mentioned. I definitely agree that as Dickens describes the room, he intends to create a contrast between Stephen and his wife. However, I also feel that Dickens could be utilizing the room itself as a tool simply to amplify the foulness of Stephen's wife. He first describes certain items and the furniture in the room, telling the readers that although the room isn't full of fancy furniture, it is still a "decent" room for a poor man. Then Dickens indicates something that really catches my eye -- "the atmosphere." Although Dickens's use of the word "atmosphere" could be in reference to the dirty and poor environment found outside of the room or home, I read it differently. To me, it seems as though the whole purpose of describing a clean room is to better portray the foul stench and dirtiness of the "creature." In other words, before Stephen is to find his wife on the floor, Dickens wants to give the readers a heads-up that the room is clean, but the "atmosphere...tainted" because of a certain contamination -- the drunk wife.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. The only solution to your questions is to keep reading, of course! Seriously, though, you have a great start because you have asked great questions. Does Dickens show Stephen (by way of describing his room) to be the decent poor (books -- i.e. he is literate -- clean) in order simply to draw the contrast with his wife or as an argument that within the poor community, individual characters still can make choices (good, bad) and we need to see them as playing a role (even if sometimes for ill) in their own lives.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to see the Author's description of this woman as a statement of how nasty she was deplorable, and despicable. But I don't see it that way. Yes, I do believe that each word that Dickens uses to describe the woman is harnessed to drive home the definition of the word that he's chosen. But I believe that the depiction of her being a drunk is only scratching the surface of what Dickens is truly intending to do. I am actually, gripped with passion for this woman over the initial feeling of fright or deplorableness. My mind is seized by the description of the woman in the same way it is seized by sadness over the feeling of disgust that one can feel when seeing a homeless person down on his luck, reeking of urine, alcohol and the most ungodliest of smells. Matted down with years of dirt, whose situation makes sense enough to himself only. Totally without the realization of far they've fallen away from the basic standards of a decent life. Charles Dickens description of the husbands fear, surprise and utter disgust, is only used to show the distinction between the two feelings that the reader can and will come to feel when reading about these two descriptions/actions of these persons. The one, justifiably taken aback at the monstrosity of such a person. The other sentiment really garners a feeling of sadness for a human being who is left to believe that life is nothing more than strongdrink and no hope or zeal for life. How does a persons sense of morality get that low?.... When does she wake up sober?.....what leads her to drink when she does wake up sober the next day?.. How does her lack of zeal for life and very low sense of morality tell us a story of her husband?..... Did he fail to provide some sort of hope, comfort, concern or love that this woman needed?...how did she become like this under his watch?...... I think the description, if internalized with the paint brush of the imagination, causes us to draw upon personal encounters and experiences with people who look exactly like this woman. Whether we cringe when we first see her or we're moved with sorrow and compassion because of the underlying heartcondition that clearly exists for a person who has allowed themself to come to this state reveals within us all something about ourselves that places in the mindset of the aristocracy or the mindset of Dickens. Because I'm sure Dickens would be more concerned of how she got like that and is stimulating a cord within the reader which can reveal our true heartfelt thoughts even to ourselves. How did her morals become so erroded?....is our first initial reaction simply to be disgusted and shun her?.....or is it to look beyond the obvious to see that something has gone deeply wrong in society and definitely within that household for her to be married and look like that with a husband around you everyday! What did he do to love and its existence in that heart of hers?.....
ReplyDeleteAfter reading my classmates responses they pretty much said the same thing, except for Gregory. Which he forewarned us of during the first week of classes. I almost was persuaded by his deep philosophical thought of the Blackwell's environment until I remembered that Dickens intent was to be as simple as possible with his colorful characters. This thought was simple when it applies to all his characters and their demeanors. Dickens wants to show Mrs. Blackwell as being evil as well as in his description of the stale air between them is a metaphor for their dead relationship.
ReplyDelete