One of the questions implicit in a modern interpretation of a Victorian novel, such as Peter Carey's Jack Maggs, is whether to work within or to criticize the social order of the historical time-period of the novel. Carey finds a way to do both through humor, as for example he establishes when Mrs. Halfstairs is contemplating the proper height of a footman:
"I think Mr Phipp's first footman is rather stunted," she frowned. "I really can't imagine what he had in mind. I'm sure he did not have a prank in mind. A tall one and a short one, eh? That would be like him, from what I have heard. Japes and high-jinks. Do you think that was his plan?" [p. 15]
Questions
Although humor is a device often used in Victorian literature as well, one would expect a tonal difference between an immediate social criticism and a retrospective one. Is there a difference, for example, between Dickens's descriptions of Mrs. Joe and Carey's characterization of Mrs. Halfstairs? Which one is more pointedly critical of the Victorian system?
What symbolic significance does height have, and what role does it play in both Great Expectation and Jack Maggs? What does it mean for Jack Maggs to be tall?
In what ways is Carey basing his manner of characterization on Dickens? In what ways is it different and what does that suggest?
References
Carey, Peter. Jack Maggs. New York: Knopf, 1998.
Last modified 1 March 2004