Re: research
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Thu, 1 May 1997 16:17:53 -0100
My dear Sir,
If you are to ask a question, ask a big one sooner
than a small one. That has always been the guiding
principle of my life. I am glad to see it is one we
have in common.
When I first went to the United States of America,
in 1842, I hoped for much, but alas found less that
I had hoped for. I fondly supposed that the new
republic might be found to have created institutions
and embodied values superior to those of the old
kingdom of my birth. Some it had created and embodied,
but too often I was confronted with corrupt institutions,
deficient values, masked by complacency, not to say
pride and the easy assumption of superiority. My blood
boiled at worship of the dollar, the habit of violence,
the blackguard press, deficient manners - deficient
hygiene even! I fear my indignation showed, in my books
"Martin Chuzzlewit" and "American Notes." These were
not popular with some American readers.
When I returned to America in 1867, I found a society
much improved. Who knows, the tolerance and the sympathy
of the observer of that society might have improved too?
Perhaps the horrors of civil war had diminished the American
propensity to complacency, and produced a greater
thoughtfulness, a greater readiness for self-questioning in
the American character.
Whether it was America that had changed, or the Inimitable
himself, one thing remained unchanged: my profound affection
and admiration for the many Americans who, by their
unfailing kindness and ready sympathy, had made themselves
my friends, and me theirs.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
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>I was wondering if you could discuss your view of American society
>
>
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Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author