Dickens

Is Dickens still relevant?
   While America may not be on the brink of a nationwide revolution, we still face a similar situation. Millions of families go without enough food each night, and individuals rave against the politics of a corrupt government. Conflict is simply a part of human society. No matter what form it takes, sin, the root of all suffering, remains the single factor of all hardship on earth. Therefore, despite the scenario, we will often feel comradeship with another human in a tough situation. We may not be able to relate to their exact situation, but chances are, we've encountered something similar.
     Another thing that ties us together is people. Although our clothes and mannerisms may change, the people behind them really don't. Kindness, greed, and virtue are still perpetuated in society everywhere we look. Likely, we all know someone, or a few people, like Carton, Lucy, or even the Veneers. However, Dickens' character aren't simply hollow replicas of humans. He breathes life and personality into every aspect of them, and frankly, that's how good writing is supposed to be.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakhouse/animation.shtml

1800s: The Tiers of Education

   I had very mixed feelings about this article. On one hand, my national pride was sparked by the laws mandating public education. Largely because of the Puritans, America had one of the highest literacy rates in the 1800's. Unfortunately, my attention was soon drawn to the sections involving women in aforementioned public institutions. Female teachers were paid less than their male counterparts, however, the article reassures the reader that these teachers were "valued" for the womanly touch that they brought to their classroom. Quite demeaning, if you ask me. However, any integration of women into the work force is a step in the right direction.
   The article also references Frederick Douglas' revelation regarding the relationship of freedom and education. I find it odd that education, something that we often take for granted, was valued so highly. Today, we often mistake our rights for privileges.

1788: Race, Gender and Property—the U.S. Constitution

     Even after the evils of slavery have become commonly known, its unfairness and cruelty is still mind-boggling.  It's nearly impossible to comprehend that any Christian could praise the mercies of God one moment and then return home to mistreat a fellow Christian solely because of their race.

     These "slaves" were not only denied their freedom, but their humanity as well. Due to the three-fifths compromise, slaves were given the voting rights of only three-fifths of a man, and by most slave-holders, they were considered less than human. In Uncle Tom's Cabin, even though Mr. Shelby treats the slaves with much more dignity than other slaveholders, he still fails to see his slaves as human beings. He is hopeful that his slaves will embrace religion, however, he displays skepticism that his slaves can even comprehend the deeper concepts of Christianity.