Re: Tom Gag
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Wed, 23 Sep 1998 12:05:06 -0100
My dear Mr Lines,
"Tom Gag" betokeneth a witty and facetious fellow. Or it did for me in
the 1840s, much as "Mr Clever" or "wise guy" do for many today. Jonas
prides himself on his shrewdness and impenetrability, but Montague and his
cronies are too much for him. They deceive him, tease him, and amuse
themselves with false flattery of him. Offered more wine, Jonas responds
ploddingly: "As much of that, as you like! It's too good to refuse." This
immediately yields an insincere chorus of praise for his eloquence: "Well
said, Mr Chuzzlewit!" from Wolf; ""Tom Gag, upon my soul!" from Pip;
"Positively, you know, that's - ha, ha, ha! . . . - that's epigramitic,
quite!" from the doctor.
"Gag" was a term used by actors in my day, for extempore departures from
the script. I made Mr Pip, recollect, a theatrical man. Tom Gag was the
fictitious personification of witty extemporisation.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
____________________________________________________________________________
________
>Dear Mr. Dickens
>
>I have sought the answer to my question in various places; in the
>library, in the classroom, and on the net - and none can supply the
>answer. Chapter 28 - I think - of Martin Chuzzlewit. Jonas is being
>entertained by Wolf, Pip and Montague; Mr Pip Exclaims "Tom Gag, upon my
>soul." Pray, Mr. Dickens, who or what was Tom Gag?
>
>One of your fondest devotees.
>
>Bob
>
>
======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author