Dickens And Popular Entertainment (routledge Library Editions: The Nineteenth-century Novel) (volume 8)

First published in 1985. Dickens was a vigorous champion of the right of all men and women to carefree amusements and dedicated himself to the creation of imaginative pleasure. This book represents the first extended study of this vital aspect of Dickens’ life and work, exploring how he channelled his love of entertainment into his artistry. This study offers a challenging reassessment of __Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop__ and __Hard Times.__ It shows the importance of entertainment to Dickens’ journalism and presents an illuminating perspective on the public readings which dominated the last twelve years of his life. This book will be of interest to students of literature. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Original Title 8 Original Copyright 9 Contents 10 Dedication 11 Preface 12 List of Illustrations 14 References and Abbreviations 16 CHAPTER 1 Introduction: Dickens and the Changing Patterns of Popular Entertainment 18 CHAPTER 2 Popular Entertainment and Childhood 31 CHAPTER 3 Nicholas Nickleby The Novel as Popular Entertainment 50 CHAPTER 4 The Old Curiosity Shop The Assessment of Popular Entertainment 104 CHAPTER 5 Hard Times The Necessity of Popular Entertainment 154 CHAPTER 6 Popular Entertainment in Dickens's Journalism 207 CHAPTER 7 Dickens's Public Readings: the Abiding Commitment 243 Notes 266 Select Bibliography 294 Index 301