The Haunted Man and The Ghosts Bargain : Literature Classics (Annotated)

A Tale of Two Cities. Both books share the motif of the terrible secret from the past that blights the present, especially for the story's melancholy professional, and of that alienated individual's redemption through love. But, then, aren't Professor Redlaw, attorney Sydney Carton, novelist David Copperfield, and even businessman Philip Pirrip all reflections of the discontented, middle-aged writer that the quondam "Fielding of the Nineteenth Century" became by the close of the s?

Although the critical reception of the last of the Christmas Books of Charles Dickens was, as Michael Slater remarks, "very mixed, with hostile predominating" CB II, , with its charming red cover, gilt lettering, and abundant illustrations by a talented team of first-rate artists, Dickens was able to announce the immensely satisfying figure of 18, in advance sales to Thomas Beard on 19 December, After a lapse of two years, Dickens was back on the Christmas market with a vengeance, despite a lukewarm response to The Battle of Life 19 December, In some cases 's little scarlet book, lavishly illustrated with thirteen plates by four well-known artists Daniel Maclise, Clarkson Stanfield, Richard Doyle, and once again John Leech was greeted with what amounts to critical ridicule: In the seasonal offering Dickens had abandoned the allegorical flavour, "the explicit social criticism" Guida , and the supernatural machinery common to A Christmas Carol , The Chimes , and The Cricket on the Hearth , subsequently much-dramatised.

Now, after an enforced absence of two Christmases, he reverted to these narrative features and strategies, albeit with a less heart-warming curmudgeon than Ebenezer Scrooge, Trotty Veck, John Peerybingle, or Dr. Jeddler as his protagonist. Dickens learned two valuable lessons from his Christmas book failure, The Battle of Life: Here Dickens returned to the themes, structure, and strategies of A Christmas Carol , and while it is in no way the masterpiece that the Carol undoubtedly is, to modern readers it is more interesting and complex than the intervening three books.

In its exegesis of the role memory in shaping a character's moral fiber, and in its cohesive and economical plot, it both emulates the Carol and anticipates the novels which succeeded it. Consistently throughout the Christmas Books Dickens had adhered to the tight form of the novella, with a main and a subplot, a limited cast of characters, highly individualized dialogue, and a programme of illustration which he had both orchestrated and conducted, as his letters to the various artists reveal.

The whole series involves 57 plates and seven artists in all:. In their place appeared three drawings by the self-taught artist Frank Stone father of Marcus Stone who was to illustrate Our Mutual Friend who had been friendly with Dickens since they met in the Shakespeare Club in ; and five drawings by John Tenniel who later took Doyle's place on Punch and achieved fame through his illustrations for Lewis Carroll.

Whereas A Christmas Carol , more modestly illustrated with eight plates by a single artist, did not even contain a list of illustrations, the remaining Christmas Books had emphasized the pictorial element. In a sense, the second in the series, The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Ran an Old Year Out and a New Year In , had set the visual pattern for the series, having thirteen plates ten of them dropped into the text as a stunning synthesis of pictorial and textual narratives by four accomplished artists.

This team approach Dickens inaugurated almost certainly to ensure that all plates would be ready in time for the December publication date. His illustrators were busy in those days, working for Punch and other illustrated magazines, as well as working on other writers' books. Despite the fact that the illustrations added considerably to the purchase price of Dickens's annual Christmas offering especially if these were hand-coloured and would thereby decrease his profits as was very much the case with the Carol five years earlier , Dickens did not merely maintain the programme of illustration that accompanied previous Christmas Books; he expanded it.

With the exception of Tenniel, the artists were all close friends of Dickens well before he commenced writing The Haunted Man in the summer of Dickens first became acquainted with Stanfield in Dec.

The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain by Charles Dickens

Tenniel has been here today and will go to work on the frontispiece. We must arrange for a dinner here [Devonshire Terrace], very shortly, when you and he may meet. He seems to be a very agreeable fellow, and modest. Tenniel was some three years younger than Leech and considerably younger than Stanfield , but had already exhibited at the Society of British Artists in and at the Royal Academy Since Dickens's usual engraver, L.

Martin whose firm was responsible for seven of the 17 Haunted Man plates was married to Tenniel's sister, it is surprising that Dickens and Tenniel had not met sooner. The year after illustrating The Haunted Man Tenniel replaced Doyle on the staff of Punch when the latter left because as a Catholic he objected to the magazine's attacks on the papacy. Dickens, not yet aware of Tenniel's capabilities, confined him to ornamental subjects the frontispiece, the title-page, and the fire-side scene that opens the story proper , and gave over to him what Leech had not the time for, resulting in the extremely wooden renditions of Mrs.

A Hammerton explains why, despite their long-standing friendship which included a trip to Cornwall together in and Stanfield's brilliant theatrical scenery painting, especially of seascapes, Dickens did not entrust a larger share of any of the Christmas Book illustrated programmes to him. In "To Frank Stone" 21 Nov. Stone's sequence follows Milly Swidger wearing the same dress in each ; "Milly and the Old Man," "Milly and the Student," and "Milly and the Children,"all executed with that firmness of line and Giotto-like solidity of figure for which his work was known.

Milly is the central figure in each half-page illustration. On November 23, writing from Brighton, Dickens applauds Stone's first picture in the sequence: However, Dickens is already formulating plans to use her as the counter-touchstone to Redlaw's Midas touch, and insists she be given a matronly cap to add to her age and dignity:. There is something coming in the last part, about her having had a dead child, which makes it yet more desirable than the existing text does, that she should have that little matronly sign about her.

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With what a subtle hand the charioteer directs his proud steeds, always suggesting and pointing through praise, but never commanding! Meantime, publication day drawing ever nearer and the bulk of the work depending upon the ever- busy Leech, Dickens had written him from Devonshire Terrace before departing for Brighton, urging haste: Although Dickens feels that " peed is now of transcendent importance" the latter two words doubly underlined , de still manages his leading horse with a gentle hand: Unless anything else should strike you particularly.

The writer correctly assessed Leech's strength as comedy from the first, and steered him towards the petit bourgeois family of newsvendors who are The Haunted Man 's equivalents of the Carol 's Cratchits, representing a class and a social group so well known to the writer, his own family when he was a child. In the earlier letter," Early next week, I will describe the large illustration of the dinner to you" Letters 5: However, undoubtedly concerned that Punch business is pressing Leech, Dickens sent the artist a letter via his publisher, William Bradbury, from the Bedford Hotel, Brighton, " explaining that not knowing how his time may serve, I have given the dinner subject to Stanfield" Letters 5: The jollity of Scrooge's Christmas prize-turkey, punch, and polkas has boiled down to beef which Stanfield indicates is something like a multi-layered cake with white icing!

I often ask God to forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me. I'm asking the great Other who niggles at my mind throughout life to forgive me using the same exact standards with which I forgive others, and doesn't that just suck if I'm being cold-hearted? God dammit; can't win for tryin' sometimes, but it's good to be reminded of these kinds of things.

It isn't always easy turning around and finding you're at the Magic Mirror Gate, but it's always instructive if you can face it. Dickens for hitting my defenses with a bunker buster, for I sure need it sometimes. If any of this made any sense, then you'd probably enjoy this story immensely. If you're a fan of Dickens, you'd probably still really enjoy it, but maybe less so than I did if you can't relate. It was a gut puncher for me.

The Haunted Man, Professor Redlaw, is haunted by his sorrowful past. The only redeeming feature of his youth was a sister who died. The memories are continually brought before him by a Phantom who offers him relief. When he allowed the Spectre to cancel his remembrances, Redlaw made a surprising discovery. Not only did his memory of sorrow and wrong leave him, so did any element of softness and caring for others. Even worse, that gift is passed on to others around him with similar consequences. Unaffected by this desire to forget sorrow and loss is Milly Swidger who had lost her only child.

A sweet simple woman, Milly tells her husband, "I am happy in the recollection of it All through life, it seems by me, to tell me something. For poor neglected children, my little child pleads as if it were alive, and had a voice I knew, with which to speak to me.

When I hear of youth in suffering or shame, I think that my child might have come to that, perhaps, and that God took it from me in His mercy Many kind hearted people attempt to sympathize with those in sorrow and pain, but it is those with similar experiences who make the largest contributions to healing. A mother who has had a stillborn child can comfort another mother like no one else can. Military families who have sent their loved ones to war can understand each other's needs - often knowing what to do without being asked.

A parent who has a wayward child can sit with another parent with a unique bonding and empathy. Those who have lost their jobs in an economic downturn are able to help each other in a special way. Homeless people can band together to become a community. And on it goes. People who have been there, done that are those who understand the most.

Christians have a Lord who empathizes with our sorrows and pains. His suffering was a choice - so that we knew that He could understand, empathize and give guidance and comfort when comfort is needed. That is what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote 2 Corinthians 1: For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. Another ghostly Christmas tale by Charles Dickens In this, like Mr. Dec 04, Jon rated it liked it. The last of Dickens' Christmas books. About a man who allows a ghostly manifestation of himself to remove all his painful memories of sadness and loss, and then suffers an unintended consequence--losing the ability to sympathize with the sufferings of others.

An early reviewer thought the story was somewhat incoherent, and I understand what he meant--the "gift" the ghost gives includes the proviso of inflicting the "gift" on others--so all the characters he meets similarly lose their painful mem The last of Dickens' Christmas books. An early reviewer thought the story was somewhat incoherent, and I understand what he meant--the "gift" the ghost gives includes the proviso of inflicting the "gift" on others--so all the characters he meets similarly lose their painful memories along with their abilities to sympathize.

There are a number of typically lovable Dickensian characters, and it is quite painful to watch them change from loving, patient figures into spiteful, argumentative jerks--ie real people. But the main character learns his lesson and all is happily restored. Doesn't hold a candle to A Christmas Carol, but has its charms. While all the other children are running and playing, he's staggering along behind, lugging this huge baby.

And he's been stuck with her now for about years. Apr 18, Thomas Johnson rated it really liked it. Dickens crafts another dark yet hopeful Christmas tale here. Redlaw is a better developed and subtler character than Ebenezer Scrooge, and his visit with a spirit -- and the results of that visit -- are arguably more heartbreaking. Scrooge learned his lesson by looking in on those people he knew and watching their lives undetected. Redlaw only realizes his mistake once he has inflicted suffering on many more than just himself.

There's a clear lesson to the story, but it's a little more interesti Dickens crafts another dark yet hopeful Christmas tale here. There's a clear lesson to the story, but it's a little more interesting than the I found in A Christmas Carol Most everyone knows the importance of being kind to others, but not everyone would think -- or even agree -- that bad memories are an important part of being human.

I just read this story for the third time. Of Dickens' five short stories for Christmas, I think this one's message is the most profound and the most overtly Christian. Its supernatural events are not as spectacular as "A Christmas Carol," but it makes a stronger statement: To forget without forgiving brings bitterness and misery, but with forgivene I just read this story for the third time. To forget without forgiving brings bitterness and misery, but with forgiveness comes joy and hope.

Like Phillip in the story I pray, "Lord, keep my memory green. Jun 15, Jake rated it liked it. This is a dark Christmas story, even by A Christmas Carol standards. It does include a great comedic element: They are a hoot. One of the things I like about Dicken's Christmas tales is he incorporates Christmas's darkside--when lonely people get lonelier, sad people get sadder, and selfish people get more selfish. Dicken's provides hope that such vice and folly can This is a dark Christmas story, even by A Christmas Carol standards. Dicken's provides hope that such vice and folly can be overcome.

People can get better. Dicken's gets me believing this by the end. For people wanting to branch out from the same old Christmas fare, I recommend this story. Dec 26, Mary Lou rated it liked it Shelves: Three stars seems a bit generous for the last of Dickens' Christmas novels. With themes of remembrance and forgiveness, and complete with its own "ghost" or is it? But the story lacks the strong narrative, well-developed back stories and relationships between the characters, and, ultimately, any reason the reader should care.

Despite that, like any work of Dickens, there are things in The Haunted Man that are wor Three stars seems a bit generous for the last of Dickens' Christmas novels. Despite that, like any work of Dickens, there are things in The Haunted Man that are worthy of appreciation, some little gems of wisdom, and some endearing and memorable characters, which make it worth reading, if not re-reading. There are a good deal of similarities between the two, but it is by no means a re-heated version of ACC.

Instead of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who must be shown the results of his lack of love for his fellow man, we have the pensive professor, Mr. Scrooge is such an exaggerated idea of a miserable, tight-fisted grump. Redlaw has weathered some storms. He is wrestling with the kind of regret that comes as the result of hard turns in life, and yet wondering at how those around him seem immune to this sort of burden.

In this way, Redlaw is much more of an everyman, and that makes his story, I think, more universal. The main difference is that ACC is really quite perfect. Haunted Man is a bit clunky in its execution, but there's just as much merit to this story, and the moral is just as beautiful. Redlaw sits unobserved, staring into the fire, and longing to blot out his memories of sorrow, wrong, and trouble. Go see for yourself. Mar 05, Kate rated it really liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I really enjoyed this short Christmas story. It started off very dark for a Christmas tale, but Dickens still managed to include humor in it. The state of the Tetterby Family for example, the day after Redlaw had bestowed his "gift" upon them was quite amusing. As were the descriptions of little Johnny Tetterby and baby Moloch. In typical Dickens fashion there is also a young woman who is the epitome of goodness and perfection who in the end sets everything right and makes everyone the happier f I really enjoyed this short Christmas story.

In typical Dickens fashion there is also a young woman who is the epitome of goodness and perfection who in the end sets everything right and makes everyone the happier for having known her. But, it is always nice when you can have a "happily ever after ending," no matter how unlikely or unbelievable a character is.

No one is perfect after all; it was rather tedious reading "He likes me too! On the whole, this story is a great runner up to A Christmas Carol and my second favorite of Dickens Christmas stories. Dec 13, Larry rated it liked it. Possibly due to too many annual Christmastide readings of A Christmas Carol this year i decided to read switch to one of hid other festive tales and I was glad I did.

The writing is more succinct and most of the characters are drawn with less caricature pose than the Cratchits as an example. The theme is also more interesting "do we need our bad memories as well as our good me Possibly due to too many annual Christmastide readings of A Christmas Carol this year i decided to read switch to one of hid other festive tales and I was glad I did. The theme is also more interesting "do we need our bad memories as well as our good memories in order to be fully human?

This would have been a two star but for Dickens wonderful personification of the landscape. Poetic and perfectly wonderful even in at its most depressing. This isn't a story for everyone and it touches on tragic death in typical Victorian fashion. Overly sentimental, long winded at times but in conclusion, Dickens is saying, let us be thankful for our joys and sorrows. Oct 23, Kevin rated it liked it Shelves: A man torn by troubles and sorrow from his life sees a phantom who promises he will take away his sorrow, wrongs and trouble he experienced in his life if he will but pass the gift on to others.

He learns quickly enough that by removing wrongs he also removes the feelings of forgiveness and "lost all man would remember. Nov 25, Brian Cambra rated it liked it.

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I started out not liking this story very much. Indeed, it took me quite some time to get into it and at times it was confusing. However, the overall idea that our troubles and sorrows are truly beautiful things, that remind us of the joys that have been and may yet be, is a wonderful idea. Dickens does a remarkable job of putting our common thoughts on their heads. Nov 30, Elisabeth rated it it was ok. Well, that was incredibly tedious.

Charles Dickens' last Christmas story is a vivid account of a man tormented by his past. View all 3 comments. May 07, Morgan rated it liked it. Kind of a sad story, but liked it with the ghost. Far be it from me to assert that what everybody says must be true. Everybody is, often, as likely to be wrong as right. In the general experience, everybody has been wrong so often, and it has taken, in most instances, such a weary while to find out how wrong, that the authority is proved to be fallible.

Everybody said h First sentence: Everybody said he looked like a haunted man. The extent of my present claim for everybody is, that they were so far right.

The Haunted Man by Charles Dickens

Redlaw aka the Chemist learns an important lesson near Christmas time. In the first chapter, he's tempted by a Phantom to give up what makes him human--though he doesn't realize the consequences, of course. The Spectre ghost, phantom, spirit, etc. And this is the gift that keeps on giving. The gift that I have given, you shall give again, go where you will. Freed from such remembrance, from this hour, carry involuntarily the blessing of such freedom with you.

Its diffusion is inseparable and inalienable from you. Be happy in the good you have won, and in the good you do! And these consequences bring him to his knees. He learns that without feeling sorrow and remembering trouble, you have no empathy, no compassion, no concern for others. He sees the Spectre again and begs and pleads for change. What curse have you brought upon me? Give me back MYself! I am charged with poison for my own mind, and the minds of all mankind.

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Where I felt interest, compassion, sympathy, I am turning into stone. Selfishness and ingratitude spring up in my blighting footsteps. See if you have enough points for this item. It is the fifth and last of Dickens's Christmas novellas. The story is more about the spirit of the holidays than about the holidays themselves, harking back to the first in the series, A Christmas Carol.

The tale centres on a Professor Redlaw and those close to him. Twelve Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes. The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain. The Chimes Mobi Classics. Great Expectations Illustrated Edition. David Copperfield Illustrated Edition. The best of Charles Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop. The Best of Charles Dickens: The Haunted House of The 10 Works to read in this life Vol: The Life of Our Lord. A Christmas Carol and Other Stories. American Notes Mobi Classics. A Child's History Of England.

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