Charles Dickens : The poor relations story

An essay written by Maharani Jayendradewi

(0901065164)

Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic who is recognized as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period and the author of some of the world's most outstanding fictional characters such as Oliver Twist (18371839), A Christmas Carol (1843), and David Copperfield (1849
1850). The Poor Relation's Story, one of his stories, also expresses the fictional character which is

similar to his other works. In this story, Dickens tells about the poor relation (Michael) who shows his imaginary and his actual life in business and love. In Michaels imaginary life, he is successful in business. His friend John Spatter does not abuse the trust placed in him. Michael narrates that he took John to his Castle, and they had a very happy day. Their partnership throve well. His friend and partner supplied what he wanted, as he had foreseen that John would, and by improving the business and himself, amply acknowledged any little rise in life to which he had helped John (P.68L.1). Truly, he failed in business because he was duped by John Spatter as he says That I failed in business because I was unbusiness-like and credulousin not being prepared for the interested designs of my partner(P.4L.5). First, he thought that John as trusted person and a best friend but unfortunately, his best friend itself who could deceive him. It can be better, if Michael could be aware of anybody who wants to be his partner in business. Talking about the story of his love, Michael sums that Christina was very beautiful creature in his life; he loved her a long time (P.15L1). He wondered that they were married in a very little while and took her to their happy home called Castle. All of their children have been born in Castle (P.45L.1). He wondered that Christiana does not marry a rich man, but chooses him. Those are his imaginary about Cristiana. Actually, he was unlucky in love because he was deceived by Christiana, the women he loved as he says that I failed in love, because I was ridiculously trustfulin thinking it impossible that Christiana could deceive me (P.4L.7). Although Christiana was deceived him, he still have an imaginary that they lived happily

together. The writer can assume that Michaels love to Christiana was so deeply and he cannot erase his feeling to Christiana. As a good person, he has to realistic, if she cannot receive him; he has to keep moving on. Finally, in this story, the writer sees the make-believe life which Michael explains and finds the Michael's actual life which lived miserably. The only thing unchanged between his imaginary life and his actual life is the relation of his family. He cannot fulfill the expectations of his uncle Chill as a poor simpleton, when my uncle and I so fatally quarreled (P.46L.2). And Little Frank is still little. The only exception to this general rule is the child of his first cousin whom he often takes home to the Castle. "He is very welcome to my grandchildren, and they play together"(P.72L.2). The only bright spot in his life, it is revealing that Little Frank is sole friend who the character just likes him. Some things do not change, even in the imagination.