The description of Mrs. Merdle from Little Dorrit:
The lady was not young and fresh from the hand of Nature, but was young and fresh from the hand of her maid. She had large unfeeling handsome eyes, and dark unfeeling handsome hair, and a broad unfeeling handsome bosom.
As you can see, Dickens finds a way repeatedly, palpably, to interject his feeling hands into the description.
But could he tap his toes, like J.M. Barrie?
GMG–Sorry to be so obtuse, but . . . huh?
Because Dickens was just such a sensitive guy.
Heh, reminds me of his characterization of Jerry Cruncher.
Dickens knew how to employ a recurring description to devastating effect.
Go read the text of the original Peter Pan sometime. Let’s just say Uncle James ain’t babysittin’ the boys no more, honey…
Ah, so. And Mastiff . . . got a look at your site. Good stuff. Hope you’ll visit and comment here often.
The liberals loves them their Dickens. They’re still channeling Miss Havisham from Great Expectations with respect to the 2000 presidential election. They haven’t gotten over it.