Study day – Dickens

Dickens Study Day

On 13 November, U3A held a study day to learn about aspects of Charles Dickens' life and work, (participants read “Great Expectations” in preparation). About 50 of our U3A members took part including six facilitators leading the group discussions. We began with a talk by guest speaker, Dr Geoff Doel, who gave us insights into Dickens' life and works. After questions, Kate Izzard gave us a

concise review of the historical period of "Great Expectations" (1810-1830). The attendees then broke into small groups (led by Lynn Burrows, Kate Izzard, Frani Hoskins, Jane Lloyd, Jill Ruddock and Deborah Slater).

There were two sessions of group discussion and a welcome coffee break between: firstly – Life, and Times of Dickens and the locations of the novel near Rochester and in London; secondly, Characters and themes within “Great Expectations”. Areas discussed included the biographical parallels between the hero, (Pip) and Dickens' own childhood and the view of society the novel portrayed. Concluding the afternoon, a stimulating plenary session compared our thoughts: on the sharply divided 19th century class structure; the significance of

money and success; the harsh criminal justice system; and the power of human sympathy. As a powerful 'rags to riches' fairy story, which has been dramatised countless times, "Great Expectations" provided an engrossing afternoon for our discussions.