Exuberant domestic optimism
Abstract
Dickens’ early popularity was enhanced by his tendency to write vigorously and humorously in praise of happy and secure family life. Dickensian jollifications, often in celebration of Christmas, appealed variously to nostalgic patriotism (they always seemed to look back to a not- too-distant past, even when first written), social security (class pleasures in the different strata of middle-class society were carefully differentiated by Dickens), a simple religious sense of ‘loving thy neighbour&s;, and a rather vinous common humanity.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Philippine History and Culture
World Wars: History
Literature
and Impact
European Political History Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 18–21
- Publication date
- 9 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter