Charles Dickens in Love

1. Charles Dickens' passionate love for Maria Beadnell shaped his early writing career

"I never have been so good a man since," he later told her, "as I was when you made me wretchedly happy."

First love's impact. Dickens' infatuation with Maria Beadnell, his first love, had a profound impact on his early life and writing career. Though their relationship ended in disappointment, it provided the emotional fuel that drove Dickens to pursue his literary ambitions with vigor. The experience of loving and losing Maria became a wellspring of inspiration for his early works, particularly in his portrayal of young love and romantic disappointment.

Literary transformation. Maria's rejection of Dickens ultimately proved to be a blessing in disguise for his literary career. It spurred him to channel his emotions into his writing, leading to the creation of memorable characters and poignant love stories in his novels. The pain of unrequited love became a powerful creative force, allowing Dickens to explore the depths of human emotion in his work and connect with readers on a deeply personal level.

2. Mary Hogarth's death profoundly influenced Dickens' idealization of women in his novels

"I solemnly believe that so perfect a creature never breathed.… She had not a fault."

Angelic inspiration. The sudden death of Mary Hogarth, Dickens' young sister-in-law, at the age of seventeen had a profound impact on his conception of the ideal woman. Mary's memory became a source of spiritual inspiration for Dickens, and he began to create female characters in his novels that embodied the qualities he associated with her: purity, selflessness, and unwavering devotion.

Literary archetype. Mary's influence can be seen in many of Dickens' most beloved heroines, such as Agnes Wickfield in "David Copperfield" and Little Nell in "The Old Curiosity Shop." These characters often serve as moral compasses and sources of redemption for the male protagonists, reflecting Dickens' idealized view of femininity. This idealization, while sometimes criticized for creating one-dimensional female characters, was deeply rooted in Dickens' personal experience of loss and his quest for spiritual meaning.

3. Dickens' affair with Ellen Ternan revolutionized his personal life and literary works

"I have now no relief but in action," he told Forster a few weeks after Doncaster. "I am become incapable of rest. I am quite confident I should rust, break, and die, if I spared myself. Much better to die, doing."

Passionate turmoil. Dickens' relationship with Ellen Ternan, which began when he was 45 and she was 18, marked a significant turning point in both his personal life and his writing. The affair led to the breakdown of his marriage and caused considerable upheaval in his social and professional circles. This period of emotional turbulence coincided with a shift in Dickens' writing style, as he began to explore darker themes and more complex characters in his later novels.

Literary evolution. The influence of Ellen Ternan can be seen in Dickens' later works, particularly in his portrayal of passionate, complex female characters such as Estella in "Great Expectations" and Bella Wilfer in "Our Mutual Friend." These characters reflect a more nuanced and mature understanding of love and desire, moving away from the idealized heroines of his earlier novels. The secret nature of his relationship with Ellen also infused his writing with themes of hidden identities and social hypocrisy, adding depth and complexity to his narratives.

4. The Staplehurst train crash marked a turning point in Dickens' relationship with Ellen

"I have been so shaken and unnerved by the loss of one whom I so dearly loved that I have been compelled to lay aside all thoughts of my usual monthly work, for once."

Shared trauma. The Staplehurst train crash in 1865, in which Dickens and Ellen were both involved, had a profound impact on their relationship. The near-death experience and the shared trauma of the accident strengthened their bond, while also highlighting the precarious nature of their secret affair. The incident left Dickens with lasting physical and psychological effects, including a fear of train travel that would plague him for the rest of his life.

Public and private lives. The crash brought Dickens' relationship with Ellen dangerously close to public exposure. His efforts to keep Ellen's presence on the train a secret, even as he helped other passengers, underscored the constant tension between his public persona and his private life. This tension would continue to shape both his personal decisions and his literary output in the years that followed, as he struggled to balance his reputation as a moral authority with the reality of his unconventional personal life.

5. Dickens' American reading tour of 1867-68 strained his relationship with Ellen

"I cannot tell you … how sorely I miss a dear friend."

Long-distance love. Dickens' extended reading tour in America, while financially successful, put a significant strain on his relationship with Ellen. The separation was particularly difficult for Dickens, who had grown accustomed to Ellen's constant presence in his life. His letters from this period reveal a deep longing for her company and a growing sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction with his public duties.

Professional vs. personal. The tour highlighted the ongoing conflict between Dickens' professional ambitions and his personal desires. While he thrived on the adulation of his American audiences and the financial rewards of the tour, he also felt keenly the absence of Ellen and the comfort of their life together in England. This tension between public success and private happiness would continue to characterize the final years of Dickens' life and career.

6. Annie Fields' infatuation with Dickens reveals the complexities of his personal life

"I cannot help rehearsing in my mind the intense joy of his beloved—It is too much to face, even in one's imagination and too sacred."

Admiration and discretion. Annie Fields' infatuation with Dickens, as revealed in her private journals, offers a unique perspective on the author's charisma and the impact he had on those around him. Her intense emotional response to Dickens, despite being a married woman, highlights the complex web of relationships and attractions that surrounded the famous author. At the same time, Annie's discretion in keeping her feelings largely private reflects the social constraints of the era.

Multiple facets. Annie's observations of Dickens, filtered through her admiration for him, provide insights into the different roles he played in his personal and professional life. Her journals reveal glimpses of Dickens as a charming guest, a devoted family man, and a tormented artist, offering a more rounded picture of the author than his public persona might suggest. The contrast between Annie's idealized view of Dickens and the reality of his complicated personal life underscores the challenge of reconciling the public and private aspects of a famous figure's existence.

7. Dickens' final years were marked by restlessness, declining health, and devotion to Ellen

"I have a wild fancy that I shall sometimes try to be idle afterwards, but it is one of the many things I have never been able to do yet."

Relentless drive. Despite his declining health and the advice of doctors, Dickens continued to push himself to the limit in his final years. His grueling schedule of public readings, particularly the emotionally draining performances of the murder scene from "Oliver Twist," reflected both his need for financial security and his inability to slow down or relax. This relentless pace took a severe toll on his health, leading to a series of physical ailments and, ultimately, a stroke.

Enduring love. Throughout his final years, Dickens' devotion to Ellen Ternan remained constant. Despite the challenges posed by his public commitments and failing health, he continued to prioritize his relationship with Ellen, arranging regular meetings and maintaining their shared home in Peckham. The secrecy of their relationship, combined with Dickens' deteriorating condition, added a poignant note to their final years together. Even as his body failed him, Dickens' love for Ellen remained a central force in his life, providing comfort and motivation in the face of increasing physical and professional challenges.

Last updated: August 11, 2024