In Charles Dickens’ famous novel, Bleak House, there is an unforgettable character called Mrs. Jellyby. And if she was not such an archetype for certain real types of persons, she would be almost comical. Mrs. Jellyby is obsessed with what Dickens coined “telescopic philanthropy,” that is an alleged love for humanity but always at long… Read More Love for Humanity. Dickens’ Mrs. Jellyby, Social Justice Warrior
Full disclosure; because its been what seems like ages to me, and I only remembered the general outlines of Dickens’ novel, Hard Times, I resorted to A.I. for the following verbatim description of the beloved characters. Any use of it A.I. all here will always be fully disclosed. SH. ~~ Ah, yes. Mr. Thomas Gradgrind… Read More Dickens’ Hard Times. Of Facts — Utilitarianism and Heart.
Are the hegemonic fields of politics and sex destroying us? “English Literature no longer makes the top ten of A-level subject choices. English departments at universities are regularly closing. Studies show dramatic drops in literacy and reading, particularly amongst teenagers. A book and a discussion. Stefan Collini’s new book explores why such a prestigious academic discipline… Read More English literature’s last stand
“Dickens must have known it would have worked on the consciences of the Parliamentarians too, as it did!” At least for a time. “By advocating that population should be controlled voluntarily through birth control, abstinence, or delayed marriage – or involuntarily, and through the scourges “of war, famine, and disease,” [Thomas] Malthus was derided by his peers… Read More Scrooge and Thomas Malthus
Catholic Critique 