Our December selection is a duo of Victorian novellas with a supernatural bent: Lois the Witch by Elizabeth Gaskell and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Let the first lead you into Halloween and the second into Christmas!
Lois the Witch was published in October 1859 in the weekly All the Year Round, edited by Charles Dickens. Set in 1691, it tells the tale of Lois Barclay, who travels from England to Salem, Massachusetts after the death of her parents to live with her uncle and his family. Once there, she becomes a target for suspicious townsfolk during the Salem witch trials. Lois the Witch is included in Gaskellâs collection Curious, if True and is free online in both written and audio formats.
Elizabeth Gaskell showcases the height of gothic fictionâs ability to delight in the otherworldly and to dig deep into what truly haunts us. - Audible.com
The perennial favorite A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens takes a slightly lighter look at the influence of the supernatural, with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser visited by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. A Christmas Carol, first published in 1843, has never been out of print and has been adapted for radio, film, television, stage, and opera. It is available for free online.
Every idiot who goes about with âMerry Christmasâ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. - Ebenezer Scrooge
Getting reading to gather my copies and read. I thought Iâd pull this thread up as a reminder that December 1 draws ever closer. Actually I expect that Iâll have no problem finishing both books, even if I donât start quite yet. (I have to finish a couple others first.)
After a few pages, I find the old writing style a bit hard to read. Will continue with the preview a while to decide whether or not to order on Kindle.
Thanks @Colorado_mom! Lois the Witch seems to be available in several places, under different titles/covers. In the link above, itâs included as a (long) short story in her collection Curious, If True. (Itâs the 3rd selection.)
late to the party, but popping in to say i just finished This Tender Land from August. I enjoyed it. One of my big questions was wondering if people are still as mean today as they were portrayed in the book? or are we just protected from that all?
Well, I finished (and like) Lois the Witch and have pulled out my long-unread copy of The Christmas Carol. One of the many things I like about this book club is the occasional dip into a classic. Iâve never read Dickenâs The Christmas Carol nor anything by Gaskell. Iâm pleased with the gentle nudge into doing so.
Looking forward to the start of discussion on Dec. 1.
And for anyone wondering if timeâs too short to read and join in ⊠nope. Both selections are short.
I just downloaded Lois the Witch. Iâm not so worried about The Christmas Carol. Have read it a couple of times (once for a PhD skit that used its plot), and Iâve seen the version Patrick Stewart presented on Broadway which kept most of the original language. Itâs available on youtube.
Iâm still slogging through The Historian - itâs actually pretty terrific - but it is not a fast read! Long and dense. (Of course now I feel a great need to read Bram Stokerâs Dracula!)
Itâs December 1st! Welcome to our discussion of Lois the Witch by Elizabeth Gaskell and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Lois the Witch was pretty dark, but very interesting â a bit of Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter and/or Young Goodman Brown) and a bit of Arthur Miller (The Crucible). Itâs nothing like North and South or Cranford (not that I expected it to be). I think one of the reasons Lois the Witch is so different from Gaskellâs other works is that itâs not contemporary (for her), but set hundreds of years before she lived, and she recreates some of that 17th century language.
Iâd already read A Christmas Carol and enjoyed revisiting it. I loved the musical âScrooge" as a girl and still picture Albert Finney in the role when Iâm reading.
Beyond the fact that both works were written in the mid-19th century and the two authors were âfrenemies,â the books donât have much in common, except that both address social ills. This observation from the Ghost of Christmas Present about the ragged children beneath his cloak presents themes that are in Lois the Witch as well as A Christmas Carol:
This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.
I found an exhaustive list of discussion questions for Lois the Witch (thanks to Professor Florence Boos at the University of Iowa). Itâs more than weâll ever need, but Iâm copying and pasting them all below â skip over or peruse as you wish. Some wonât even apply. We didnât read âOld Nurse,â for example, but maybe youâll be inspired to do so.
Discussion Questions for Lois the Witch
This tale was written in 1859, seven years after the publication of The Old Nurseâs Tale and Other Stories in 1852. How would you compare the tone of this story with that of âThe Old Nurseâs Taleâ?
Do you see any potential autobiographical themes in the tale? (Gaskell an orphan, had lost siblings) Might anything in Gaskellâs experience have prompted the treatment of so dark a subject?
What were Gaskellâs own religious views? What would she likely have believed about the practice of condemning witches? (a form of persecution against helpless and somewhat marginalized women)
Do you think this story was influenced by Nataniel Hawthorneâs The Scarlet Letter? Do she and Hawthorne have a similar point of view? What are some differences in emphasis?
How does the title, âLois the Witch,â affect the readerâs expectations of the tale?
What initial situation opens the novella? What causes the reader to feel sympathy for Loisâs plight? Would this motif have appealed to English readers?
What irony is embedded in the name of the ship which carries Lois to the New World? Are other names used in the tale ironic or symbolic?
What do we learn about Loisâs character? (care for graves of parents and servant; sadness)
What is notable about her motherâs final words? Does the narrator find them lacking? Heedless? Ominous?
Why canât Lois marry Hugh Lucy? What silent judgment seems to be made at this point?
What role does Captain Holderness play in the opening section? What are his views of religion? Of the Puritans?
On arrival, what news do the voyagers learn about the condition of the Massachusetts Bay Colony? What has been its recent political history, and what bearings may this have on the events of the plot?
What are some purposes served by the scene in which Lois and Captain Holdernesse stay with the Widow Smith? What are some features of the household? Of their first feast? (145, different foods, long prayer)
What tales are told of the Indians and French pirates? What do you make of the tale of the desperate woman and the colonists who make no attempt to help her? (147)
What is Elder Hawkinsâs response to this narration? To the Indians? (147-48) What alternate view does Captain Holdernesse present? (148)
What experience has Lois had with witches? What seems the significance of the memory? What had been Loisâs response to the desperate witch, and to her prophecy? (pity, fear) What purpose does this incident serve in the tale? (149)
What seems ominous about Elder Hawkinsâs response to the story? In what way does Captain Holdernesse defend Lois? (150)
What is added to the tale by the description of the roads and forests on the way to Salem?
How are Lois and the Captain welcomed at the Hickson home? What seems shown by Graceâs initial words and Loisâs response? (153) What has motivated Graceâs dislike for her husbandâs relatives?
What remarks on religion and her husbandâs past does Grace offer to her guest? (those who failed to resign their livings on conscientious grounds, such as Loisâs father, were wicked)
How does Manasseh intervene in the situation? What is her uncleâs response to her arrival? (155) Graceâs reaction to his sorrow at his only surviving sisterâs death? (155, jealous of her husbandâs memories of home), offended at Loisâs resentment at her statement that the latterâs motherâs death was Godâs will (156). What does Grace maintain in defence of her own godliness? (156)
What do we first learn of Manassehâs character, habits and prayer? (157)
What fears are suggested by the Captainâs parting? (157) How are his words premonitory?
At this point of the story, what does the reader expect will happen? Is this a good place to end a part of a series?
Part II
In part II, what difficulties does Lois experience in her new home? How is she treated by each of the family membersâher uncle, aunt, Manasseh, Faith and Prudence, and Nattee?
What is their reaction to her religious background?
In particular, what is Manassehâs attitude toward her?
What views of Native Americans are held by the family? How is Nattee portrayed? What views of the relationship of Euro- and Native Americans do you think are implied by Gaskellâs presentation?
What kinds of legends are circulated in the town? Are any of these favorable to Indians? (effects of Indian charmes, bewitching)
What kind of narrative intrusion does the author insert at this point, and why?
What is Loisâs relationship with Faith? What motivates her to tell Faith stories and superstitions she has heard in England, and with what result? (Prudence calls Lois a witch, 165)
How do the householdâs young women respond to Pastor Tappauâs prayers, and from what motives? (criticizes Lois, 162; annoys Faith, 162) Why does Faith dislike him? (163)
What seems the relationship between Faith and Nattee? (Nattee fond of Faith, dislikes Pastor Tappau) What effects will this relationship later have on the plot?
What are some ways in which we can tell the narratorâs point of view? Are there elements of humor or irony in the tale?
What is the effect of Ralphâs death on Loisâs situation?
What is the nature of Manassehâs proposals? Loisâs reasons for not wishing to marry him?
Why will he not accept her refusal or the fact that she has a prior attachment? (has seen a portent, 170; accuses her of blasphemy, 171)
How does the narrator respond to her refusal? (171; sheâs harrassed repeatedly)
What is Grace Hicksonâs view of this possible alliance? (168, 179, anger) To what degree does she come to accept her sonâs attachment to Lois?
What effect is created by the return of Pastor Nolan to the village? His visit to the Hickson home? (his visit causes perturbation, 176-77; Faith sobs hysterically)
What do you make of the spells and potients of Nattee? Why do you think this detail is included in the plot?
What do we learn about Manassehâs past emotional life? (180, has been suicidal) What commentary does the narrator make at this point about the familyâs behavior? (might betray some emotional instability)
What causes an outbreak of terror among the inhabitants of Salem? (factionalism, possible tricks by Nattee)
By what means does the narrator undercut the credibility of those who recount alleged demonic events? (183-184)
How do members of the community respond to Pastor Tappauâs charges? Is it significant that even Pastor Nolan is frightened? How do the Hickson family members respond? Lois?
At the end of section II, what kind of outcome do readers expect?
Part III
What explanation does the narrator give for belief in witchcraft? (fear, revenge)
What is Faithâs reaction to Loisâs questions about Natteeâs charms? (distrusts her, 42) What prevents Faith from imparting her opinions to Lois? What may she be concealing?
What are Faithâs views on religion? In the context of this story, is this significant? Has Grace Hickson succeeded in passing on her piety to her daughters?
Why do you think the narrator chose Hota, the Indian servant, as the first victim to be accused of witchcraft?
What is Loisâs response to the condemnation of Hota? (44, troubled) Why do you think her narrator makes her protagonist believe in the existence of witches?
What is Grace Hicksonâs response to the news? (wishes member of respectable household had been used as an example)
What methods have been used to extract Hotaâs confession? (45) What have been the signs of alleged demonic possession? (45)
What is Manassehâs reaction to the topic of witchcraft? (fears he may be possessed, 47) What changes occur in his reaction to Lois? (she leads him into temptation, 48)
What incidents/decisions prevent Pastor Nolan from from receiving Faithâs letter? What do you think it contained? (49)
What is Pastor Nolanâs response to Loisâs presence and conversation? What prompts Faithâs anger?
What events precede the scene in which Lois is accused of witchcraft? How do the different family members respond to the prospect and sight of the execution?
What do you make of Prudenceâs desire to see the execution? Her anger at Lois? Her accusation of sorcery? Who had first suggested this idea to her? (Faith, 53)
Cotton Matherâs sermon is reproduced from the historical record. What are some of its salient features?
What prompts Prudenceâs accusations? Had Hota mentioned her as a witch? (no) Does anyone attempt to help or speak for Lois?
How do the Hickson family respond to these accusations? Do you think they could have prevented the outcome had they tried?
What embarrassments attend Manassehâs attempts to argue for her release? Are there valid points to his arguments? (a critique of predestination in general)
How does Grace Hickson interpret Manassehâs mental illness? (result of Loisâs spells, 59)
At her trial, who are her accusers? (all young girls) What are the means of examination? (63)
What events occur during her imprisonment? Who visits her and with what effect? (Pastor Tappau demands her confession; Grace pleads with her to retract her spells; she comforts Nattee) Why do you think these scenes are included?
What is especially striking about the interview with Grace?
Why was Manasseh unable to attempt to help her? (drugged by his mother) What happens to him? What does his action add to the scene of Loisâs death?
Who else among the inhabitants of Salem and the storyâs characters suffers a similar fate? (Pastor Nolan) Why were some dogs also killed?
What is moving about the account of her death? How do the bystanders react? (have some sense of having committed a crime)
What is added to the story by the accounts of the later repentent statements of Prudence and the residents of Salem? What has prompted them to repent? (desire to avoid punishment)
What part does the return of Ralph Lucy play in the plot? (provides a frame and commentary) Do you think the story is improved by our knowledge of later events?
What is added to the story by the use of historical documents? How would the effect of the story have been altered if the readers did not know that such events had occurred?
Are there elements of the plot or story which you believe are left unexplained? (how was Nattee accused, for exampleâby Prudence? what caused Prudence and Grace to realize their former error)
How is Gaskell able to create a sense of suspence and progression when the reader knows in at least a general way what will occur? Does the storyâs tone suggest the possibility of a happy ending?
What has been Gaskellâs purpose in presenting such an horrific series of events?
And hereâs a more reasonably sized list for A Christmas Carol. As always, I am posting discussion questions more as a reference or âmemory joggerâ for those who finished reading a while ago. Just fly over them if youâre not interested:
Discussion Questions for A Christmas Carol
Why does Dickens spend so much time describing the fireplace in Scroogeâs rooms? Why does he populate the tiles with scenes from the Old Testament, Arabian Nights, and the Apostles?
Is Dickensâs use of ghosts to help Scrooge reform effective? Are each of the ghosts welldeveloped? Which ghost did you like best; which least?
Why wasnât Marley saved, while Scrooge was saved?
Why does the Ghost of Christmas Past say that Fezziwigâs party did not merit the kind of gratitude exhibited by the people who attended the party? What was Scroogeâs reaction to the Ghostâs comment?
Which event in his past life seems to affect Scrooge the most?
Why does Scrooge say that the Ghost of Christmas Present is responsible for closing shops on Sunday? What is the Ghostâs reply to Scrooge; is the reply effective?
Why does the Ghost of Christmas Present answer Scrooge by saying: âIf he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population,â when Scrooge asks if Tiny Tim will live?
Scrooge was initially aghast at the expense the Cratchit family undergoes in preparing for Christmas, but later changes his mind. What causes Scrooge to change his mind about the family?
Many film and stage versions of the story omit the passages about the miners, the lighthouse and ship. Why do you think Dickens included them in the story? Do they add anything to the story?
Why does the Ghost of Christmas Present tell Scrooge to fear the child named Ignorance most?
Is the story effective in portraying the lot of the poor in Victorian London? Is Scroogeâs reformation believable? Does Dickens do a good job of expressing his outrage over the conditions in the jails and workhouses?
Itâs been at least 20 years since I read The Scarlet Letter and 40 years since I read The Crucible. I didnât look forward to revisiting that time or place at all. I hated just about every minute I spent reading Lois the Witch. It wasnât just the subject matter, but I found Lois irritating and everyone else appalling. (Well maybe not Captain Holderness.) But for me the worst was the pendantic interspersions of history lessons. All tell, no show. Thankfully the story was short.
After that A Christmas Carol was a breath of fresh air. Itâs not my favorite Dickens novel by any means as I am not crazy about how it pounds you over the head with its moralism. But Dickens is a man in love with words - sometimes to the extent that he uses seven when one would have been perfectly servicable: âScrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinnerâ But they are such great words. I love the way they pile up. (Even if I sometimes and reminded that yes, Dickens was paid by the word!) Iâd forgotten how each ghost is so different, and that the last one didnât even need to talk. Iâm not sure I believe Scrooge would have changed so quickly, but itâs a great fable.
Neither story has a surprise ending. The reader quickly intuits the end of the story; in the case of Lois the Witch the title tells all, though I kept hoping for a reprieve.
Unlike @mathmom, I enjoyed Lois the Witch, though I preferred a couple others in Curious, If True. Yes, I read them all. I too noted the all tell/no show aspect of the story. Didactic is the word Iâd use. Unfortunately, history repeats itself and Iâm not sure weâll be judged lightly over this or that in the future. Anyway, it made me want to reread The Witch of Blackbird Pond - a longtime favorite of mine.
Iâve read embarrassingly less of Dickens than I should have. So I thoroughly enjoyed The Christmas Carol. Itâs easy to understand why itâs a classic.
Same. Lois was so passive â âmilquetoastâ as my Grandma would have said. Sheâs really a departure from Gaskellâs other heroines. Margaret Hale from N&S would have gone down fighting. And in the face of Puritan moralism and ignorance, Lois was definitely no Hester Prynne.
I didnât notice the pedantic element at all. I liked the jog back in time. A few historical references sent me to Wikipedia, where I revisited that very creepy time in American history. I went down the Cotton Mather rabbit hole â a man so progressive and so backward, all rolled into one.
I enjoyed it. One of my big questions was wondering if people are still as mean today as they were portrayed in the book? or are we just protected from that all?