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In The Pickwick Papers (1837), members of the eponymous club recreate the ludicrous follies of nineteenth century England. Yet beneath the grotesqueries they chronicle runs a counterpoint of debtors' prisons, corruption and unreformed elections. With characteristic compassion and caustic satire, Dickens confronts the darker side of these charming anecdotes, in the novel that vaulted him from journalistic obscurity to literary pre-eminence. 內容簡介
The high-spirited work of a young Dickens, The Pickwick Papers is the remarkable first novel that made its author famous and that has remained one of the best-known books in the world. In it the inimitable Samuel Pickwick, his well-fed body and unsinkable good spirits clad in tights and gaiters, sallies forth through the noisy streets of London and into the colorful country inns of rural England for a series of sparkling encounters with love and misadventure. From the wit of cockney bootblack Sam Weller to the unforgettable Fat Boy and rascals like the amorous Mr. Jingle and the unscrupulous lawyers Dodson and Fogg, The Pickwick Papers reels with joyous fantasy, infectious good humor, and a touch of the macabre—a classic work that G. K. Chesterton called "the great example of everything that made Dickens great… supreme masterpiece." 作者簡介
Charles Dickens was born in 1812 near Portsmouth where his father was a clerk in the navy pay office. The family moved to London in 1823, but their fortunes were severely impaired. Dickens was sent to work in a blacking-warehouse when his father was imprisoned for debt. Both experiences deeply affected the future novelist. In 1833 he began contributing stories to newspapers and magazines, and in 1836 started the serial publication of Pickwick Papers. Thereafter, Dickens published his major novels over the course of the next twenty years, from Nicholas Nickleby to Little Dorrit. He also edited the journals Household Words and All the Year Round. Dickens died in June 1870.
查爾斯·狄更斯(Charles Dickens,1812~1870),1812年生於英國的樸次茅斯。父親過著沒有節製的生活,負債纍纍。年幼的狄更斯被迫被送進一傢皮鞋油店當學徒,飽嘗瞭艱辛。狄更斯16歲時,父親因債務被關進監獄。從此,他們的生活更為悲慘。工業革命一方麵帶來瞭19世紀前期英國大都市的繁榮,另一方麵又帶來瞭庶民社會的極端貧睏和對童工的殘酷剝削。尖銳的社會矛盾和不公正的社會製度使狄更斯決心改變自己的生活。15歲時,狄更斯在一傢律師事務所當抄寫員並學習速記,此後,又在報社任新聞記者。在《記事晨報》任記者時,狄更斯開始發錶一些具有諷刺和幽默內容的短劇,主要反映倫敦的生活,逐漸有瞭名氣。他瞭解城市底層人民的生活和風土人情,這些都體現在他熱情洋溢的筆端。此後,他在不同的雜誌社任編輯、主編和發行人,其間發錶瞭幾十部長篇和短篇小說,主要作品有《霧都孤兒》、《聖誕頌歌》、《大衛·科波菲爾》和《遠大前程》等。
狄更斯的作品大多取材於與自己的親身經曆或所見所聞相關聯的事件。他在書中揭露瞭濟貧院駭人聽聞的生活製度,揭開瞭英國社會底層的可怕秘密,淋灕盡緻地描寫瞭社會的黑暗和罪惡。本書起筆便描寫瞭主人公奧利弗生下來便成為孤兒,以及在濟貧院度過的悲慘生活。後來,他被迫到殯儀館做學徒,又因不堪忍受虐待而離傢齣走。孤身一人來到倫敦後,又落入瞭竊賊的手中。狄更斯在其作品中大量描寫瞭黑暗的社會現實,對平民階層寄予瞭深切的嚮情,並無情地批判瞭當時的社會製度。他在小說描寫的現實性和人物的個性化方麵成績是突齣的。他成為繼莎士比亞之後,塑造作品人物數量最多的一個作傢。 精彩書摘
Chaoter I
The Pickwickians.
The first ray of light which illumines the gloom, and converts into a dazzling brilliancy that obscurity in which the earlier history of the public career of the immortal Pickwick would appear to be involved, is derived from the perusal of the following entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick Club, which the editor of these papers feels the highest pleasure in laying before his readers, as a proof of the careful attention, indefatigable assiduity, and nice discrimination, with which his search among the multifarious documents confided to him has been conducted.
"May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C.,* presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to:
"That this Association has heard read, with feelings of unmingled satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C.,Y entitled 'Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some Observations on the Theory of Tittlebats;' and that this Association does hereby return its warmest thanks to the said Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., for the same.
"That while this Association is deeply sensible of the advantages which must accrue to the cause of science from the production to which they have just adverted,-no less than from the unwearied researches of Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., in Hornsey, Highgate, Brixton, and Camberwell,-they cannot but entertain a lively sense of the inestimable benefits which must inevitably result from carrying the speculations of that learned man into a wider field, from extending his travels, and consequently enlarging his sphere of observation, to the advancement of knowledge, and the diffusion of learning.
"That, with the view just mentioned, this Association has taken into its serious consideration a proposal, emanating from the aforesaid Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., and three other Pickwickians hereinafter named, for forming a new branch of United Pickwickians, under the title of The Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club.
"That the said proposal has received the sanction and approval of this Association.
"That the Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club is therefore hereby constituted; and that Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., Tracy Tupman, Esq., M.P.C., Augustus Snodgrass, Esq., M.P.C., and Nathaniel Winkle, Esq., M.P.C., are hereby nominated and appointed members of the same; and that they be requested to forward, from time to time, authenticated accounts of their journeys and investigations, of their observations of character and manners, and of the whole of their adventures, together with all tales and papers to which local scenery or associations may give rise, to the Pickwick Club, stationed in London.
"That this Association cordially recognises the principle of every member of the Corresponding Society defraying his own travelling expenses; and that it sees no objection whatever to the members of the said society pursuing their inquiries for any length of time they please, upon the same terms.
"That the members of the aforesaid Corresponding Society be, and are, hereby informed, that their proposal to pay the postage of their letters, and the carriage of their parcels, has been deliberated upon by this Association: that this Association considers such proposal worthy of the great minds from which it emanated, and that it hereby signifies its perfect acquiescence therein."
A casual observer, adds the secretary, to whose notes we are indebted for the following account-a casual observer might possibly have remarked nothing extraordinary in the bald head, and circular spectacles, which were intently turned towards his (the secretary's) face, during the reading of the above resolutions: to those who knew that the gigantic brain of Pickwick was working beneath that forehead, and that the beaming eyes of Pickwick were twinkling behind those glasses, the sight was indeed an interesting one. There sat the man who had traced to their source the mighty ponds of Hampstead, and agitated the scientific world with his Theory of Tittlebats, as calm and unmoved as the deep waters of the one on a frosty day, or as a solitary specimen of the other in the inmost recesses of an earthen jar. And how much more interesting did the spectacle become, when, starting into full life and animation, as a simultaneous call for "Pickwick" burst from his followers, that illustrious man slowly mounted into the Windsor chair, on which he had been previously seated, and addressed the club himself had founded. What a study for an artist did that exciting scene present! The eloquent Pickwick, with one hand gracefully concealed behind his coat tails, and the other waving in air, to assist his glowing declamation; his elevated position revealing those tights and gaiters,4 which, had they clothed an ordinary man, might have passed without observation, but which, when Pickwick clothed them-if we may use the expression-inspired voluntary awe and respect; surrounded by the men who had volunteered to share the perils of his travels, and who were destined to participate in the glories of his discoveries. On his right hand sat Mr. Tracy Tupman-the too susceptible Tupman, who to the wisdom and experience of maturer years superadded the enthusiasm and ardour of a boy, in the most interesting and pardonable of human weaknesses-love. Time and feeding had expanded that once romantic form; the black silk waistcoat had become more and more developed; inch by inch had the gold watch-chain beneath it disappeared from within the range of Tupman's vision; and gradually had the capacious chin encroached upon the borders of the white cravat, but the soul of Tupman had known no change-admiration of the fair sex was still its ruling passion. On the left of his great leader sat the poetic Snodgrass, and near him again the sporting Winkle, the former poetically enveloped in a mysterious blue cloak with a canine-skin collar, and the latter communicating additional lustre to a new green shooting coat, plaid neckerchief, and closely-fitted drabs.
Mr. Pickwick's oration upon this occasion, together with the debate thereon, is entered on the Transactions of the Club. Both bear a strong affinity to the discussions of other celebrated bodies; and, as it is always interesting to trace a resemblance between the proceedings of great men, we transfer the entry to these pages.
"Mr. Pickwick observed (says the Secretary) that fame was dear to the heart of every man. Poetic fame was dear to the heart of his friend Snodgrass; the fame of conquest was equally dear to his friend Tupman; and the desire of earning fame in the sports of the field, the air, and the water, was uppermost in the breast of his friend Winkle. He (Mr. Pickwick) would not deny that he was influenced by human passions, and human feelings (cheers)-possibly by human weaknesses-(loud cries of 'No'); but this he would say, that if ever the fire of self-importance broke out in his bosom, the desire to benefit the human race in preference effectually quenched it. The praise of mankind was his Swing; philanthropy was his insurance office. (Vehement cheering.) He had felt some pride-he acknowledged it freely, and let his enemies make the most of it-he had felt some pride when he presented his Tittlebatian Theory to the world; it might be celebrated or it might not. (A cry of 'It is,' and great cheering.) He would take the assertion of that honourable Pickwickian whose voice he had just heard-it was celebrated; but if the fame of that treatise were to extend to the furthest confines of the known world, the pride with which he should reflect on the authorship of that production would be as nothing compared with the pride with which he looked around him, on this, the proudest moment of his existence. (Cheers.) He was a humble individual. (No, no.) Still he could not but feel that they had selected him for a service of great honour, and of some danger. Travelling was in a troubled state, and the minds of coachmen were unsettled. Let them look abroad, and contemplate the scenes which were enacting around them. Stage coaches were upsetting in all directions, horses were bolting, boats were overturning, and boilers were bursting. (Cheers-a voice 'No.') No! (Cheers.) Let that honourable Pickwickian who cried 'No' so loudly come forward and deny it, if he could. (Cheers.) Who was it that cried 'No?' (Enthusiastic cheering.) Was it some vain and disappointed man-he would not say haberdasher-(loud cheers)-who, jealous of the praise which had been-perhaps undeservedly-bestowed on his (Mr. Pickwick's) researches, and smarting under the censure which had been heaped upon his own feeble attempts at rivalry, now took this vile and calumnious mode of--
"Mr. Blotton (of Aldgate) rose to order. Did the honourable Pickwickian allude to him? (Cries of 'Order,' 'Chair,' "'Yes,' 'No,' 'Go on,' 'Leave off,' &c.;)
"Mr. Pickwick would not put up to be put down by clamour. He had alluded to the honourable gentleman. (Great excitement.)
"Mr. Blotton would only say then, that he repelled the hon. gent.'s false and scurrilous accusation, with profound contempt. (Great cheering.) The hon. gent. was a humbug. (Immense confusion, and loud cries of 'Chair' and 'Order.')
"Mr. A. Snodgrass rose to order. He threw himself upon the chair. (Hear.) He wished to know whether this disgraceful contest between two members of that club should be allowed to continue. (Hear, hear.)
"The Chairman was quite sure the hon. Pickwickian would withdraw the expression he had just made use of.
"Mr. Blotton, with all possible respect for the chair, was quite sure he would not.
"The Chairman felt it his imperative duty to demand of the honourable gentleman, whether he had used the expression which had just escaped him in a common sense.
"Mr. Blotton had no hesitation in saying that he had not-he had used the word in its Pickwickian sense...
經典文學瑰寶:維多利亞時代英國社會風情畫捲 書名:《霧鎖白教堂》 作者:塞繆爾·霍姆斯 比爾 齣版信息:[平裝] [英國文學經典再版係列] 頁碼/篇幅:約850頁 --- 導言:探尋十九世紀倫敦的脈搏 《霧鎖白教堂》並非一部輕鬆的消遣之作,它是一部深刻、錯綜復雜、充滿瞭維多利亞時代初期倫敦社會陰影與光明的史詩。本書將帶領讀者,穿越濃密的泰晤士河霧氣,深入到那個既有宏偉的工業進步,又飽受貧睏、階級固化和道德睏境摺磨的時代心髒地帶。 本書的敘事焦點集中在倫敦東區(East End)的白教堂(Whitechapel)地區,這是一個被上流社會遺忘、卻充滿生命力的角落。故事以一群身份迥異的人物為核心,通過他們相互交織的命運,構建起一幅細緻入微、令人震撼的社會風情畫。 第一部分:迷霧中的契約與繼承 故事的開篇,我們遇到瞭主人公,阿奇博爾德·芬奇——一位來自新興中産階級的年輕律師。芬奇先生以其過度的謹慎和對法律條文的近乎癡迷而聞名,他繼承瞭一筆數目可觀但背景可疑的遺産,這筆遺産的附帶條件是,他必須在倫敦東區居住滿五年,並“瞭解並改善”他所負責的區域內至少三戶貧睏傢庭的生活狀況。 芬奇最初的行動是機械和充滿傲慢的。他將慈善視為一種業務,試圖用精密的錶格和枯燥的規定去“管理”人性。然而,他很快就被捲入瞭一樁復雜的房産糾紛中——這糾紛牽扯到當地一個世代經營的船塢傢族,奧斯汀傢族。老奧斯汀船長是一位固執、正直但卻日益衰落的海洋工匠,他的船塢麵臨著被投機商吞並的危險。 通過調查這樁房産案,芬奇不得不開始與他過去鄙視的底層民眾進行直接接觸。他發現,法律條文的冰冷遠不如人情世故的溫暖和復雜。 第二部分:白教堂的眾生相與道德睏境 本書的魅力在於其豐富的人物群像。在白教堂的陰暗小巷中,芬奇遇到瞭形形色色的人物: 艾米莉亞·斯通(Emilia Stone):一位受過良好教育的年輕女子,卻被迫在一傢低劣的織布作坊工作以維持她生病的弟弟的生計。她代錶瞭維多利亞時代受壓迫女性知識分子的一群。艾米莉亞不僅是受助者,她通過自己對識字率的堅持和對工人權利的默默倡導,成為瞭芬奇的啓濛者。 “老鼠”傑剋(Jack the Rat):一個遊走於法律邊緣的“信息掮客”。他深諳倫敦下水道和地下世界的運作規律。傑剋並非傳統意義上的罪犯,而是一個生存大師。他為芬奇提供瞭關鍵的綫索,揭露瞭投機商操縱市場、利用童工的骯髒內幕。 哈裏斯牧師(Reverend Harris):一位富有激情但方法過時的教區牧師。他堅信道德救贖高於物質救濟,常常與主張社會改革的實乾傢們産生衝突。他的掙紮反映瞭當時教會麵對工業化帶來的巨大社會衝擊時的迷茫。 隨著故事的深入,芬奇被捲入瞭一場關於“社會責任”的大辯論中。他需要決定,究竟是遵循他繼承的財富所附帶的、基於“布施”的冷漠義務,還是采取更激進、更具有革命性的社會改革行動。 第三部分:船塢的抗爭與真相的浮現 核心衝突集中在奧斯汀船塢的命運上。投機商的幕後勢力試圖通過僞造文件和恐嚇手段,迫使奧斯汀傢族低價齣售。芬奇和艾米莉亞聯手,利用他律師的專業知識和她對社區的瞭解,開始著手搜集證據。 這段情節詳細描繪瞭維多利亞時代工人階級的抗爭。當船塢工人麵臨失業的威脅時,他們組織瞭非正式的罷工,展示瞭底層民眾在絕境中的團結與韌性。小說細緻刻畫瞭警方和地方法院如何偏袒有權勢的一方,以及那些試圖尋求正義的普通人所付齣的代價。 高潮部分,在一場暴風雨夜的法庭審理中,芬奇利用“老鼠”傑剋提供的關鍵證詞,揭露瞭投機商利用船塢工人失業的恐慌,故意破壞船隻以製造恐慌性拋售的陰謀。 結局:從規則到人性的轉變 最終,奧斯汀傢族保住瞭船塢,但代價是巨大的。芬奇也經曆瞭徹底的蛻變。他不再是那個隻相信書本上規則的年輕律師。他學會瞭在灰色地帶工作,理解瞭有時打破僵化的法律程序,是為瞭捍衛更高的道德和正義。他選擇將自己的遺産大部分投入到建立一個由社區主導的工人互助基金中,而不是簡單地捐贈給教堂或慈善機構。 藝術特色與主題 《霧鎖白教堂》的敘事風格繼承瞭十九世紀現實主義的傳統,其語言典雅而富有層次感。作者對比鮮明地運用瞭“霧”這一意象:上流社會的迷霧象徵著道德的模糊與政治的腐敗;而白教堂的濃霧則代錶瞭物理環境的惡劣和底層人民的被遮蔽。 本書探討的核心主題包括: 1. 階級鴻溝與社會流動性:探討瞭財富和齣身在維多利亞時代社會結構中的決定性作用。 2. 慈善的本質:區分瞭高高在上的“布施”與基於平等和尊重的“互助”之間的根本差異。 3. 法律與正義的悖論:展現瞭法律工具如何可能被用來維護不公,以及真正的正義往往需要超越文本的勇氣。 本書不僅是一部引人入勝的小說,更是一份關於工業革命時期英國社會結構、經濟壓力與人性掙紮的百科全書式的記錄。它邀請每一位讀者,去直麵那些被曆史的宏大敘事所掩蓋的、真實的倫敦故事。