The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-13
"MOTHERS'' IN DICKENS WORKS
The Englishman Does not Picture Then
rs Women to be Admired,

The Englishman Does not Picture Them
rs Women to be Admired.
"You are student of Charles Dickens,
are you not?''
Certainly; think you could scarcely
mention character of his with which am
unfamiliar"
Every we'll, then, if you can point me out
one mother in the whole of Dickens's nov
els, with any. claim to education. who can
be either admired or respected, will own
that have pronged him. am ready to
admit that on the lower orders be is less
severe.''
Eager to prove that she misjudged my ia
vorite, began to search my memory. At
the end Of ten minutes was still searching,
but had not spoken. The fact was I was
terribly perturbed in spirit. was most
anxious not to be worsted in the argument
for it seemed to me that a grave slur had
been cast upon Charles Dickens's character;
therefore, to feel that could only bring
forward, as being worthy of respect, David
Copperfeld's childish mother was exceed
in Bleak House, I could not mention, as
although she is undoubtedly a fine old dame,
she certainly has no claim to gentle breed
ing; while in support of my friends griev-
ance there marshaled such a CHASTITY troup
of knaves and fools-if SO masculine term
stances-that I was utterly discounted.
My memory is at fault, muttered to
myself. II will 60 home and consult my
Dickens"
Pleading headache, made my excuses,
but as was leaving the room my old friend
called after me:
IF you have headache don't pursue this
subject o-night. warn you you are going
to search for needle in bottle of hay,
only''-somewhat erimly-"the needle is
looked myself in my study and set to
sadder, paused and gazed blankly around
at formidable heap of volumes. l had
selected the books hap-hazard, and had
made pencil note on each, with this re-
suit:
"Great Expectations" No parents of
any Importance. Slight character sketch of
Herbert's mother, "a decidedly blamable
"Old Curiosity Shop" Old Mrs. Garland,
(weak.) Kits mother, Clover ORDERS Mrs.
Jiniwin, (detestable.)
Hard Times" Mrs. Gradgrind, (idiotic. }
Little Dorrit." Mrs. Clennam, (crimi-
nal.) Mrs. Merdle and Mrs. Gowan,
worldly, heartless wretches.) Mrs. Meagles,
"Our Mutual Friend" Mrs. Wilfer, (out-
rageous.)
Nicholas Nickelby." Mrs. Nickelby and
Mrs. Kenwigs, (lunatics.) Mrs. Squeers, "a
horror.)
''Dombey L. Son. Mrs. skewton, Ia dis
grace to her sex.) Alioe's mother. Good
Mrs. Brown" Gan ogress.) Polly Toodles,
Clover orders.)
Martin Chuzzlewit.'' Mothers not in it,
with the exception of character sketch:
''The Mother of the Gracchi.'' "a fool.)
"Barnaby Rudge." Mrs. Warden, lin
tensely OBJECTIONABLE Mrs. Rudge, Clover
orders.)
David Copperfeld." David's mother,
(amiable but Mechanically Mrs. Micaw-
Der, Ca caricature.) Mrs. Creakle, "a poor
thing.l Mrs. Steerforth, (horrid.) Mrs.
Heep. (hateful.) 1.-The old SOLDIER
(worse.)
BLEAK House," Lady Dedlock, (well,
we'll, the least said - Mrs. Jellyby.
(another culpable fool.) Mrs. Pardiggle,
Ian insupportable creature.) Mrs. Guppy,
(abominable.) Georges mother, Clover
orders.)
In SOLVER Twist" "Tale of Two Cities"
and "Pickwick'' the mothers ara very much
in the background, and taking Mrs Bardell
as specimen of those who do appear, per-
haps it is just as we'll they should be.-Iem-
pie Bar.