SKILL OF DICKENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21962, 20 November 1934, Page 13

SKILL OF DICKENS

VIVID CHARACTER DRAWING SYMPATHY FOR THE POOR The amazing skill in th-o portrayal of character shown by Charles Dickens and the noble ideals which inspired his work were stressed by Mr. T. Clarkson, president of the Auckland Dickens Fellowship, in an address at the weekly luncheon of the Auckland Rotary Club in Milne and Choyce's Reception Hall yesterday. Dickens' ability in creating characters was so great, said Mr. Clarkson, that his books were still "best sellers" and many of the utterances of his characters had become part of the English language. His fame did not rest upon his skill in this direction, however. He had a deeper mission, which he expressed in the sentence, "To leave one's hand lastingly upon time with one tender touch for the mass of toiling people, which nothing can obliterate, would be to lift oneself above oil the doges in their graves and stand upon a giant staircase that Samson could not overthrow." It was impossible to exaggerate his influence in ameliorating the condition of the lower classes.

Dickens was not only a great novelist, but Jtlso a master of dramatic art, and many considered that, had he not turned his attention to writing, he would have become famous as an actor. Mr. Clarkson referred to the large audiences Dickens attracted by readings of Itis works and to the efiFect the news of his death had on the people. The Auckland Dickens Fellowship, a branch of the Dickens Fellowship which had its headquarters in London, existed for tho purpose of studying Dickens' works and disseminating a knowledge of them. At Christmas time an entertainment was given at some public institution, an essentially Dickensian action, since Christmas had taken on a new spirit since the publication of Dickens' works. In addition, the fellowship had permanently endowed a cot at the Auckland Public Hospital. A reading from "David Copperfield" was given by Mr. Clarkson at the conclusion of liis address.