All good things must end, I suppose.

Just wanted to tell everyone how much I'm going to miss this class! :( I've really enjoyed our discussions and the actual content of the class. I hope everyone has a great summer!

New website on Queen Victoria

Something I came across, in conjunction with Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, I suppose: lots of interactive material!

http://www.queen-victorias-scrapbook.org/index.html

We are most amused... ;-)

Haven't yet seen the 2nd episode of GE (but I have it on DVR).  I'm leaning (as you know) with Eric here.  I really missed the great boxing scene in the brewery courtyard between Pip and Herbert.  It not only serves as a precursor to their later meeting, it explains so much about Herbert's character.

On another note, I thought I'd direct you to the "Dickens Project" page which has a birthday image of Dickens... even goofier than my cake.  There's also an interesting collection of advertisements from Our Mutual Friend.  Above, just one example, is an ad for Antihelminthic Bon-Bons... which itself opens a window (as it were) on the periled of Victorian domestic life.  The chemist and druggist, Thomas Keating (1787-1870), was well known for his manufactured remedies... including a famous cough drop.

Another successful "chemist" was Thomas Holloway, who produced many medicines, including the ointment (below), with an implausible testimonial beneath it.

“Benjamin Cox, Esquire, Magistrate, said that he knew a man who had been in the infirmary and was actually turned out as incurable. On his way home, he purchased at Ennis, Holloway's Pills and Ointment, for, as he said, it could not be worse with him. This man, said Mr. Cox, became by their use as sound and as healthy as any man in the room. These celebrated Pills and Ointment, when rubbed upon the skin, will cure any wound, sore, or ulcer, however long standing, if properly used according to the printed directions."

Alan (Helminth-Free for over 40 years)

Map of Modern London set in a Victorian style

http://www.wellingtonstravel.com/p/grand-map-of-london-2012.html

Check this out! Nice look to it...

Variety Reviews - Great Expectations - TV Reviews - - Review by Geoff Berkshire

Variety Reviews - Great Expectations - TV Reviews - - Review by Geoff Berkshire

This came up on my Facebook feed this morning, and I thought you guys might find it interesting!

BBC's Not-So-Great Expectations

Alright, I watched the first episode online and have to echo some of the complaints I've heard. It seems like it was more "based" on Great Expectations, instead of an accurate retelling of Dickens' novel. Almost like they took Dickens' characters, and some very basic elements of plot, and set them loose on the screen. Here are my biggest complaints:

1. Pip and Joe didn't even participate in the manhunt on the marshes. And when they found Magwich, Joe did try to act angry in an indignant, dramatic, and pathetic sort of way. He isn't as henpecked by Mrs. Joe either, but stands up to her, more or less. He wasn't the Joe from the novel.

2. Where's Mr. Wopsle, his Aunt, and (most of all) Biddy? The contrast between Biddy and Estella, and Pip's relationship with both girls, is a huge part of the novel. You can't just write Biddy out of the script.

3. Alright, let's be honest - Ms. Havisham is hot. Even though she's old and freaky, she's hot. Estella, on the other hand, isn't (hot or freaky). You're supposed to be attracted to Estella (see Gwyneth Paltrow version for more on this) not Miss Havisham.

Alright, I'll still watch the second episode now that I've found the channel, but so far I'm disappointed in this adaptation.

Great Expectations with Gillian Anderson

I'm hoping that we'll all be able to watch this adaptation except... perhaps those of us who have already seen it--"Magwitch-style" (and avoided transportation!).  Anyway, as you can see, the review is not entirely favorable... but adaptations do tell us as much about contemporary concerns as they do about an understanding of the original text.

http://tinyurl.com/Great-Expectations-BBC