Raineypark,

Thanks for your kind remarks!  I sometimes worry that I might come across as trying to be a know-it-all, but I guess it comes from having spent six years at two very competitive, cut-throat academic institutions.  And actually, I hoped that my thoughts on Ben and Barnabas, which came from my emotions, might balance my more clinical, intellectual dissection in the "tragic genre" post.  So, I appreciate your response.  Also, since I was laying bare some of my feelings here (and possibly revealing what an oddball I might seem to some!) in this thread.

Regarding "Nicholas Nickleby," I too have the 8-tape set from the Royal Shakespeare Co. production that was produced on Broadway in the early '80s.  Though I haven't watched all of it, I always remembered it from its TV broadcast.  The more recent production was a BBC film version that aired in England last year and for the first time in the U.S. just a couple of months ago on TNT, I believe it was.  This version was beautifully filmed and the actor portraying Smike was especially heartbreaking (not so physically deformed as in the RSC stage version).  You could find out more information about it on imdb.com; it's available on video and DVD (through bn.com, among other sites).  I highly recommend it!

How great to find another Dickens enthusiast!  I'm sure people on this board have had to roll their eyes more than once when I start going on about Dickens time and again ...  But the 1897 storyline does have a Dickensian feel, as well as a very brief borrowing from "Nicholas Nickleby", as you may be aware of (which was called to my attention on this forum the last time 1897 ran on SciFi).

Yes, Dickens is a very heartfelt writer, and I've read that in the Victorian age men weren't ashamed to be brought to tears by the emotions he brought to the forefront ...

And I am so impressed with the quality of thought that went into the writing of the DS episodes we are seeing now and throughout so much of the series ...  the interweaving of Ben's and Barnabas's relationship throughout several different time periods being just one example of how this show is in a class of its own ...

And then whenever something really cheesey happens (severed arms falling off, etc.), I plant my tongue firmly in cheek and remind myself that I DID refer to 1795 as the "Masterpiece Theatre" segment of the series ...

Loved everyone's comments here ... I learned something!

Vlad

Ah, just the sort of topic I like sinking my teeth into!  

It's interesting, I've referred several times in the past to the 1795 storyline as a "tragedy" and to Barnabas as a tragic hero, but I was thinking more along the lines of Shakespearean tragedy and what developed in the English theatre.  All those bodies littering the stage at the end of 1795 looked like the tableau at the end of "Hamlet."

Although it's been nearly 20 years since I studied Greek tragedy (so my memory is somewhat hazy), my impression remains that 1795, with its large cast and expansive plot (and subplots) is much closer to the Shakespearean form.  Greek tragedy by definition (especially as commented on by Aristotle) requires that certain unities (time, place, action) must be observed -- e.g., the entire action must take place within a single day.  Shakespeare, on the other hand, in developing the tragedy for the English stage, did not adhere to the classical model of the Greeks.  What most of us think of as tragedy is probably more in keeping with the heritage of the Elizabethan period.

The central horror of "Medea" is her slaying of her own children to spite Jason -- an act that might give even Angelique pause (though it would be interesting to consider the possibilities!).     I don't doubt that one might see similarities in some of the characters.  My thought would be that that's because DS draws on some of the same archetypal figures found in drama and literature from time immemorial.  ("Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," etc.)  

Greek mythology, on the other hand, was definitely borrowed by the DS writers very briefly with the Quentin/Amanda Harris plot, which at the end re-worked the Orpheus/Eurydice in the underworld story.  There may have been other instances that I can't remember offhand.  

Myth in general, a la Joseph Campbell and Jung, is unconsciously present throughout the series, IMO.  (About a year ago, I started an essay on just this theme -- DS and myth -- for a certain DS publication, but I got distracted and my life seems to have been in near-constant disarray since then, and I haven't been able to get back to it.)  

So, in sum (though not to presume mine is the final word), I'd say that 1795 resembles a theatrical tragedy, but I wouldn't call it specifically a "Greek tragedy." The series as a whole, as Luciaphil points out, is a melange of genres (horror, mystery, melodrama, and yes even a macabre fairy tale at one point, as I argued during 1970 PT, I think it was ...).  And, my own private theory is that the series taken in its entirety constitutes a grand myth.

Does anyone know what that mail chute thing was just to the left of Jeremiah's room in the Great/New House today?

In Josette's room, I've noticed curtained windows just to the left of the door when you come into the room (just to the right hand side of the door, if you're standing by Josette's bed and facing the hallway).  Do you think these are false curtains for decoration, or is this indeed an outside wall?  The fireplace is to the right, so it could be an outside wall, yet the hallway would seem to extend beyond Josette's room.

Favorite room(s) so far:  Josette's; Naomi and Joshua's.  I remember really liking the study, but can't remember if that's the Old House or New.  ?!?

     

Well, I finally found some of them ...

But not all of 'em, like the ones Luciaphil and Castlebee are using ...  

Favorite Quote of the day:

"I think it must be religion!"



[shadow=red,left,300]Angelique Bouchard[/shadow]

Think positive Vlad. Do hope you are able to go. I remember you since we both were involved with the Costume Gala last year. Remember that character in black with those chains

Oh, VAM, was that you?  Of course I remember you -- you had the best costume disguise of all!  I don't think I ever met you when you weren't wearing the costume, or did I?  You aren't in the photo posted here, are you?  (Thank goodness that photo appears very small on this page -- I didn't find it very flattering of myself, personally speaking, though others may have been happy with it.)  

I did meet Bette who started this thread.

Sorry to be a pain, MB, but like Castlebee I wanted more emoticons too.  I checked where you said on the help pages, and the only thing that comes up is the same string of smileys that appears above the box when you type a post.