DH - Digital Humanities: The CLiC Dickens Project

DH - Digital Humanities: The CLiC Dickens Project

Hello Everyone,😊

This blog is written in response to a task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. In this blog I am going to explore the topics of DH: MIT Moral Machine and the CLiC Dickens Project.

 For more details, Click here

Fictional and real speech in Jane Austen and the 19th Century: 

Cluster: "I should like to know."

19th Century: Understanding Widow Edlin's Line in Thomas Hardy's "Jude the Obscure"

Original line : "Well, and what woman don't I should like to know?"

In "Jude the Obscure", Widow Edlin’s line, "Well, and what woman don't I should like to know?" shows her doubt about Arabella’s understanding of love. She’s not just curious; she’s questioning whether Arabella truly knows what love is. This adds to the emotional tension in the story, highlighting different views on love and deepening the relationships between characters. Widow Edlin’s comment underscores the novel’s exploration of love and the conflicts it creates.

Understanding Colonel Fitzwilliam's Line in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"

Original line : "Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of," cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. "I should like to know how he behaves among strangers."

In "Pride and Prejudice", when Colonel Fitzwilliam says, "I should like to know," he's politely asking Elizabeth Bennet to share her thoughts on Mr. Darcy. He’s genuinely curious about Darcy’s behavior and wants to understand her perspective. This phrase shows his respect and interest in her opinion, and it prompts Elizabeth to reveal her negative experiences with Darcy. This conversation is key because it not only uncovers important details about Darcy and Elizabeth but also sets the stage for how their relationship will evolve in the story.

Comparative analysis:

In both Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and Thomas Hardy's "Jude the Obscure," the phrase "I should like to know" serves different purposes. In Austen's novel, Colonel Fitzwilliam uses it politely to ask Elizabeth Bennet about Mr. Darcy, reflecting the respectful manners of the time and encouraging open dialogue. In Hardy's book, Widow Edlin uses the phrase to question Arabella's understanding of love, showing skepticism and highlighting emotional tension. This contrast shows how the same phrase can reveal character traits and advance the plot in different ways.

Cluster: "I Am Sure You Will"

1. Thomas Hardy’s Use in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles"

Original Line: "Mother, I beg pardon. But as she really does attend Church almost every Sunday morning, and is a good Christian girl, I am sure you will tolerate any social shortcomings for the sake of that quality, and feel that I may do worse than choose her."

In Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," Angel Clare’s use of "I am sure you will" emphasizes his belief that Tess’s Christian virtues should outweigh her lower social status. This phrase reassures and persuades his mother by appealing to her religious values, reflecting Angel’s struggle with Tess's perceived insincerity and his own naturalistic views.

2. Jane Austen’s Use in "Emma"

Original Line: "Oh! said I, it is Miss Woodhouse: I am sure you will like to see her."

In Jane Austen's "Emma," Mrs. Cole says "I am sure you will like to see her" to reassure Miss Woodhouse about a delay in meeting a young woman. This phrase helps smooth over the situation by showing confidence that Miss Woodhouse will still appreciate the young woman’s presence despite the delay.

Comparison with Thomas Hardy’s Dialogue:

In Hardy's works, "I am sure you will" is used assertively to persuade and challenge social norms, reflecting deeper moral and social issues. In Austen's works, the phrase ensures smooth social interactions and politeness, focusing on courtesy and etiquette. Thus, while Hardy uses it to confront social issues, Austen uses it to navigate social manners, showing how dialogue in 19th-century literature reveals character motivations and social dynamics.

Do we use any of the clusters in real spoken language nowadays? How?

Yes, we still use phrases like "I am sure you will" and "I should like to know" in real spoken language today, although their usage and context might vary slightly compared to 19th-century literature.

Cluster: "I Am Sure You Will":

In contemporary speech, "I am sure you will" is used to reassure or encourage, such as a parent telling a child, "I am sure you will do great on your test," or a friend saying, "I am sure you will love this movie." It expresses confidence and positive expectation, similar to its use in the past.

Cluster: "I Should Like to Know":

The Cluster : "I should like to know" is less common now, but similar phrases like "I'd like to know" or "I want to know" still express curiosity. While "I am sure you will" and "I should like to know" are not used as often today, their roles in reassurance, persuasion, and inquiry are still present in modern language through more current expressions.

Comparative Analysis of the Phrase "It Seems to Me That" in 19th-Century Novels and Contemporary Spoken English:

In 19th-century novels, "it seems to me that" is used formally to convey characters' personal judgments and thoughts, adding depth to their perspectives and shaping the narrative. It reflects a structured, literary style where the phrase helps articulate characters’ inner lives and influence readers' understanding.

In contrast, the British National Corpus (BNC) spoken data shows a more informal and conversational use of the phrase. People use "it seems to me that" to express personal opinions, manage conversations, and signal uncertainty or politeness in everyday speech. This reflects a more fluid and interactive communication style compared to the formal application in novels.

So we can say that, the cluster has evolved from a formal, introspective tool in 19th-century literature to a practical, conversational expression in modern spoken English.

⭐ Comparison of Clusters

⭐ Identifying Overlaps and Differences

Common Clusters:

i do not know what: 

Appears in both lists, indicating a common phrase used to express uncertainty or request clarification.

i am sure you will:

 Also appears in both lists, often used to express confidence in someone's actions or decisions.

⭐ Context and Function Analysis:

In Jane Austen's novels, phrases like "I should like to know" and "what do you think of" show curiosity and seek opinions, while "I want to speak to" and "it seems to me that" express important discussions and personal views. "A quarter of an hour" indicates precise time.

In 19th-century literature, similar phrases are used. "I do not know what" shows uncertainty, "I am sure you will" conveys confidence, "I do not know that" indicates doubt, "I do not mean to" clarifies intentions, and "very much obliged to you" shows politeness.

We can clearly see that, both Austen's novels and broader 19th-century literature use these phrases to reflect social interactions and personal feelings, with Austen’s dialogue highlighting specific social dynamics of her time.

In what contexts and with what function do you expect them to be used?

In Jane Austen’s novels, characters use phrases like “I should like to know” and “what do you think of” to express curiosity and discuss social norms. Phrases such as “I want to speak to” and “it seems to me that” appear in serious conversations, reflecting personal thoughts. Time-related phrases like “a quarter of an hour” highlight social etiquette, while expressions like “am sorry to say” and “I should like to have” show regret or desire. These clusters reveal the social and emotional aspects of Austen's time.

In 19th-century literature more broadly, phrases like “I do not know what” and “I am sure you will” indicate uncertainty or confidence. Phrases such as “I do not know that” and “I do not mean to” show denial or intentions, and “very much obliged to you” reflects politeness. While Austen’s novels focus on personal and emotional communication, the broader 19th-century corpus includes a range of speech patterns, showing both specific and general uses of language from that era.

Cluster: "I Do Not Mean To"

The cluster "I do not mean to" is used to show that a character doesn’t intend to say anything negative. For example, saying "I do not mean to reflect upon Mr. Dixon’s good intentions" helps avoid misunderstanding or criticism.

Cluster: "Quite Out of the Question":

The cluster "quite out of the question" means something is not possible or acceptable. For example, saying "Intimacy between Miss Fairfax and me is quite out of the question" means it’s not realistic. This shows that the cluster rules out impractical ideas.

So, "I do not mean to" clarifies intentions, while "quite out of the question" dismisses unrealistic plans.

The cluster "what is to be done" has different uses in the text. It can be a request for advice, like asking Emma; show surprise, as Mr. Woodhouse does; or help the story move forward by deciding what happens next. This cluster highlights key themes like needing help and uncertainty, making it important for the story.

Activity 2: Body Language and Characterization: 

Characters in dramas and novels are crucial to storytelling, and their body language significantly impacts how viewers perceive them. Body language, which includes posture, eye movements, facial expressions, and gestures, communicates important messages and drives the narrative. Understanding and effectively using body language can enhance both characterization and storytelling.

The Use of the Chin in Dickens's Novels:

Charles Dickens often uses physical descriptions, such as the chin, to develop characters. In Dickens's novels, a strong, well-defined chin often represents strength, determination, and confidence, while a weak or receding chin can suggest timidity or indecision. For instance, Mr. Jaggers in "Great Expectations" is described with a firm, square chin, reflecting his authoritative and intimidating presence. In contrast, Mr. Bumble in "Oliver Twist" has a double chin that underscores his gluttony and self-importance, contributing to his comical portrayal.

In "Bleak House," Dickens uses the description of a character wrapped up to the chin to enhance the narrator’s perception of the character as strange or unusual. This detail not only deepens characterization but also helps set the mood and reflect the narrator's feelings. Dickens’s use of the word "chin" is a part of his broader technique to convey specific emotions and themes.

The Use of the Chin in 19th-Century Literature

In 19th-century literature, the chin often symbolizes various traits. A prominent chin might denote strength and moral integrity, while a retreating chin can indicate weakness or lack of refinement. For example, in the description of a character with a "beardless, retreating chin," the physical feature enhances the overall unattractiveness and bestial nature of the character.

Noble or heroic characters frequently have a strong chin, representing leadership and courage. In contrast, villains or less favorable characters might be described with less prominent chins. In "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, Dorian Gray’s strong chin reflects his youthful charm, while Lord Henry’s chin highlights his authoritative and influential demeanor.

The Use of the Chin in Austen's Novels

In Jane Austen’s works, the chin often symbolizes aspects of a character’s social status or personality. For example, Mr. Darcy’s "proud" chin in "Pride and Prejudice" reflects his aloofness, while Mr. Collins’s "weak" chin emphasizes his obsequious nature. Austen uses these physical descriptions to subtly comment on social behaviors and character traits.

In "Pride and Prejudice," Lydia Bennet’s comment about a waiter’s long chin serves as a critique of his appearance, showcasing her frivolous and immature nature. Lydia’s focus on physical attributes like the chin reveals her tendency to judge others superficially, highlighting her lack of depth and maturity. This detail underscores Austen’s broader commentary on societal tendencies to judge people based on physical features rather than their character.

Comparison of Chin Symbolism in Dickens's and Austen's Novels:

In both Dickens's and Austen's novels, the chin is used to reveal character traits, but in different ways. Dickens often shows characters' traits directly with their chin—like a strong chin for confidence or a double chin for greed. For example, Mr. Jaggers’s firm chin shows his authority, while Mr. Bumble’s double chin highlights his self-importance.

Austen, on the other hand, uses the chin more subtly to reflect social status and personality, often with a touch of satire. A prominent chin might suggest high status or moral integrity, like Mr. Darcy’s, while a weak chin might hint at obsequiousness, as with Mr. Collins. Austen also uses the chin to critique social behaviors, such as Lydia’s shallow comment on a waiter’s chin, reflecting her own frivolous nature.

So we can say that  Dickens uses the chin to enhance character traits and emotions, while Austen uses it to comment on social norms and personal qualities. 

Conclusion:

In nutshell, we can say that , in 19th-century literature, the way characters and their surroundings are described is very important for storytelling. Charles Dickens uses detailed descriptions of physical features and settings to show social issues and character traits, helping readers connect with his characters. On the other hand, Jane Austen focuses on social manners and romantic situations to explore relationships and character development. By using digital humanities methods, we can better analyze these elements, revealing how language and setting create a rich world in their novels. Through these insights, we understand the depth and complexity of characters and themes in both Dickens's and Austen's works.