The Chimes of the Times

I've started to read another novella by Charles Dickens called The Chimes. It revolves around the issues of the poor during the terrible times of that day. He's really gripped my guts with this one. In fact, if you find yourself in some sort of depressed state, even slightly, just say no! This book will finish you, for sure.

To be fair, I'm not even halfway through (and already I would toss it into a fireplace). I guess it could turn around for the better. Unlike A Christmas Carol, this one centers around the coming new year. In the first few pages Meg, the daughter of the protagonist, Toby, reveals she plans to marry on New Year's Day. A self-righteous Alderman seemingly talks Meg and her fiance, Richard, out of marriage.

At least it appears so far. Because I was married on New Year's Day, I have to finish. Yeah, he did it. He baited me with my personal experience and I'm dangling on his hook. I have to know how it turns out. But, if it wasn't for that, I would have put it down in my "deal with later" pile.

Continuing on in his "voice" Dickens speaks for the poor. Makes one wonder. Is he drawing from his own well of personal experience to reflect the thoughts of the protagonist? If so, the unfortunate man is questioning whether the poor should even be born. Ugh. Makes me ache.

Why is it bothering me so bad? I wasn't raised poor. Middle class at worst. I don't know. I guess it's the genius of Dickens. He can carve a hole into the soul of the compassionate reader. What really got me, was he had this %^& character Alderman Cute take a bite out of Toby's food.

This conceited man ate the poor man's food, tripe, and skillfully turned the tables to make Toby feel guilty for eating better than a widow or orphan. P - tootttt! That was me spitting out the nasty taste of the Alderman's behavior.

Dang I want to write like Dickens. I want to move people to feel something. To make them want to take action to help others. As much as it's bothering me, I will finish. And I hope to take away the art of moving people to impact the world around them. As someone wise once said (it wasn't Ghandi despite popular belief), "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."