Bottled babies, wooden legs, walking coffins, corpses, umbrellas, waxworks, locks and living furniture - these are a few of the obsessions the author uncovers while investigating the strange poetry of Dickens' imagination. This book sees Dickens as, essentially, not a moralist or social commentator but as an anarchic comic genius, who was drawn irresistibly to the sinister and grotesque - murderers, frauds and public executions. Separate chapters are devoted to Dickens' interest in violence, sex and children, as well as to his humour and his symbolism. "The Violent Effigy" includes essays on "Bleak House" and "Little Dorrit", which stress Dickens' imaginative generosity and virtuosity.
- ISBN10 0571113702
- ISBN13 9780571113705
- Publish Date 7 May 1979 (first published 12 November 1973)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 4 May 1993
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Faber & Faber
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback
- Pages 183
- Language English