Mangalore, December 14: The achievement of Charles Dickens was to use the enormous power of popular fiction to communicate the largely negative critique of the transformation of British society through industrialisation, said Professor of English at Kuvempu University Dr Rajendra Chenni.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day national seminar on 'Charles Dickens and Victorian England: What the Dickens?' organised by the Department of English, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangalore, at Eric Mathais Hall on Friday, he said that writers were hugely aware of the social suffering among farmers, migrant workers and child labour during the Victorian times. Charles Dickens had a social conscience which made him use his writing to tell the evidence of untold human suffering and horrors of his time. He used the power of popular fiction to disseminate the critique of materialism, inequality and the affiliation between wealth and crime, which was evident during this period of prosperity, and shaped the attitude of his readers, he said.
Talking about how the society moulded his writing, he said that Dickens was a product of his age. The confluence of the unique historical and political factors created an environment for an author to emerge. It made Dickens not only possible, but also inevitable. He was a major representative and critic of his social times; inseparable from the society and his readers. His writing not only shaped the readers and himself, but his writing was also constantly shaped by his times, he said.
He said that it was then in the 18th century that a new kind of writing called 'fiction' emerged for the satisfaction of a new readership which was generated by the growing literacy.
In a life strewn with contradictions, Dickens had the will to participate and overcome them, which brought an end to his life, by burying himself in work, he added.
In his presidential address, principal of the college Fr Swebert D'Silva said that English took predominance over other languages in today's globalised world. Knowledge and proficiency over English is important for communication, especially for job interviews. It must be the focus of all activities in modern times. But sadly, the knowledge of English is decimally low in students today, he said.
Calling Charles Dickens as 'greatest novelist of the Victorian period', he said that it was only in the 20th century that his literary genius was fully recognised. His writing highlights the poverty of his time and brings contrast between the rich and the poor. Likewise, it is only when we write something relevant to the times, relevant to the poor and the downtrodden in the society, will our stories have takers. However, there is no point in lifting research material from other sources (for thesis). There should be an intellectual honesty and personal integrity within ourselves, he stressed.
Organising secretary of the seminar Prof Alwyn D'Sa welcomed the gathering. Head of English Department Prof Ratan Tilak Mohunta made the introductory remarks. Joachim D'Silva delivered a vote of thanks.
Vice Principal Dr Ronald Pinto, Prof Judith Pinto, Dr A Lourduswamy, and Mr Girish were present on the occasion.
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