[Amanda TrantelParticipant]

I enrolled in this course because I have never read any of Dickens’ works before. Since I will be pursuing my masters in Adolescent Education, I wanted to study Dickens in particular because in my research I’ve found that many high schools use Great Expectations or Oliver Twist in their curriculum. I am also taking a British Literature survey of novels through the 19th century and felt that these courses would compliment each other in providing historical context of the literature we will be reading.

[Michael AdamsParticipant]

Unlike many of the responses I’m reading here, I know a bit (though I don’t claim to be an expert) about Dickens and his writing. I signed up for this class because, in spite of all that, I don’t like his work very much. I constantly hear people raving about his works as though they were penned by the Grand Illuminated Oversoul of Literature (I move in strange circles), but have never really gained a personal appreciation for them. I’m hoping that this class will help me to change that. Clearly there’s something to like there, and with luck this semester’s study will allow me to find it. I have no illusions about changing my feelings of loathing towards Pip from Great Expectations.

[Courtney CavalloParticipant]

I signed up for this class because I have split feelings about Dickens. David Copperfield was the summer reading assignment during my senior year of high school, and I thought I hated that book. In retrospect, I may have not given Dickens a fair shot due to my annoyance at having a summer project.  Last fall, I read Great Expectations and really enjoyed it. Hopefully taking this class will allow me to form a less neutral opinion on Dickens.

[Michael StoianoffParticipant]

Why not?

As a human being who speaks English and also likes to read it, I can’t think of a good reason. Perhaps it’s a matter of patience, or adaptation to the style and idiosyncrasies of Victorian Lit, or a general will to wade through the depths of sprawling sentences and descriptions, in order to fully immerse yourself in a new world. Or maybe Dickens just isn’t for everyone. I don’t know.

I’ve only read two of his novels, and a few of his short stories, but the impression this small selection has left upon me is one of staggering stupefaction. A Tale of Two Cities knocked me on my ass and moved me to tears. For me, Dickens works, and I couldn’t be more excited to explore and expound his writing.

[Jacob TrostParticipant]

I took this course in part because it fit into my schedule, but also because I was recommended it.  I’ve read Oliver Twist and enjoyed it, so my friend pointed this course out to me.  I’m an English Major, so it also helps me fill some credits and get one of my 400-level classes out of the way.

[Alexis DonahueParticipant]

I chose to take this class because I have encountered Dickens as an author in the past and am interested in further exploration of his works. This class offers me the opportunity to delve further into his works with a group of likeminded people.

[Lizzie MessanaParticipant]

Like a few of my classmates, I am rather unfamiliar with Dickens’ work. I know of his literary repertoire only superficially, which is a real shame, as he is one of the most prevalent and influential authors of our time. I share the sentiment of other classmates when I say that, as an English major, it is a major disadvantage to be unfamiliar with such pervasive work. In addition, both my mother and my sister have read Dickens’ works, and the utter polarity of their opinions on Dickens really fascinates me. I am curious to see where I fall on the spectrum . Will I love his style? Perhaps, I will find his work incredibly dull.  What is it about Dickens’ work that incites such extreme reactions (the same reactions that have kept his work relevant in today’s society)? I am truly excited to find out.

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