1841 Charles Dickens A CHRISTMAS CAROL Historic Reference READ!

Description: Experts have long considered Shakespeare as the inspiration for Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," but a surprising 2013 discovery by scholar Natalie McKnight and her research assistant Chelsea Bray now attribute Dickens inspiration to American literature. The key to the discovery is found in Dickens' 1842 book, "American Notes." Before leaving Boston, he devoted one day in the town of Lowell where he visited a textile mill. He was impressed not only by the women that worked there, but also by their bi-monthly publication of short stories. He said the excursion was "the happiest day" of his American 1842 visit and he devoted a full chapter of "American Notes" to Lowell. On page 160, Dickens refers to the women's writing, which was by then published in book form: "I brought away from Lowell four hundred good solid pages, which I have read from beginning to end." McKnight asserts that several of these stories were the basis for "A Christmas Carol" plot points, themes, and characters. She initially discovered this while preparing for a talk at the Lowell Historic Society. Subsequent investigation served as the foundation for a research paper written by Bray. In particular, is the story "A Visit From Hope," found on pages pages 13-14, which features a ghost visitor. Other stories that may have inspired Dickens are "Christmas" and "The Blessings of Memory." "Casting ghosts as Scrooge's redeemers was one motif with antecedents in the Lowell material," Bray's textual analysis reveals. One essay, "A Visit from Hope," begins, " 'Past twelve!' said a sweet, musical voice, as I was seated by the expiring embers of a wood fire. I turned hastily to see who had thus intruded on my presence, when, lo! I beheld an old man. His thin white locks were parted on his forehead, his form was bent, and as he extended his thin, bony hand toward me, it shook like an aspen leaf." This listing is for an extremely rare original copy of the Lowell book. It measures 5.75 x 8.25 inches. Construction is hardcover, brown leather over boards with gilt titles. It has 382 pages, including an editor's preface and an index. This 181 year old book is in very good condition overall. The covers had been handsomely rebacked and show minimal wear. The pages show foxing throughout. Binding it tight. There is an owners inscription by Sarah H. Tibbets, Salem Massachusetts. Research shows that Ms. Tibbets was a principal in the City of Salem's primary school and active in the city's government during the mid-1800s. A great piece of Dickens/Christmas history for the advanced collector and/or scholar. On consignment from a lifelong Christmas collector. I also have the 1842 companion book, "American Notes," listed. Thanks for looking! Please CLICK HERE for more vintage Christmas books Thanks for looking! Powered by WonderLister Desktop App

Price: 2500 USD

Location: Upstate, New York

End Time: 2024-12-09T14:24:21.000Z

Shipping Cost: 19.8 USD