Latest news with #Dickens'
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….' What the Dickens does it mean?
On April 30, 1859, All the Year Round, a London-based literary journal edited by Charles Dickens, published the opening installment of a new serialised story, A Tale of Two Cities. Its first sentence – paradoxical and poetic – would go on to become one of the most iconic opening lines in the world. The line, which was first published 166 years ago, might as well have been written yesterday with the way it continues to capture the zeitgeist. In a handful of lines, Dickens captures the irrefutable truth that progress and regression, and peace and violence often walk hand in hand. The novel, which juxtaposes the two European cultural capitals: London and Paris, contrasts 'a time of chaos, conflicts, and despair' with 'happiness and hope'. For some, a revolution of any sort, political or technological, can be a 'spring of hope,' for others, it could be the 'winter of despair.' Dickens insists that these realities can, and do, coexist. Why was it both the best and worst of times? Though A Tale of Two Cities is set during the French Revolution (1787-1799), Dickens was writing as much about his own Victorian England as 18th-century France. He writes of the late 18th century, when political oppression in France gave way to revolutionary violence. In Dickens' own Victorian England—riddled with inequality, industrial unrest, and fears of upheaval—he found echoes of the same tensions that had been the precursor to the French Revolution. The Industrial Revolution in England (1760–1840) had brought about sweeping changes—technological advances paired with immense social and economic suffering. In both movements, the wealthy elite lived in comfort, while laborers toiled in inhumane conditions, working long hours for minimal pay in crowded, unsanitary environments. In both centuries, Dickens saw a society defined by the paradox he lays down in the opening lines of the novel—prosperity shadowed by poverty, innovation accompanied by inequality. 'It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness… It was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…,' Dickens wrote, capturing the turbulence of the era and his own ambivalence about progress, revolution, and humanity itself. Dickens vividly describes how the French Revolution transformed from righteous rebellion into a Reign of Terror. While the overthrow of the aristocracy is portrayed with sympathy, the bloodlust of the revolutionary mobs—embodied in characters like Madame Defarge—exposes the darker side of humanity. Dickens' opening lines capture the complexity of an age where guillotines shadowed the lofty ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Why does the opening continue to resonate? In 2025, we live in a world of extremes: rapid technological advancement beside global inequality; astonishing wealth beside homelessness; political polarisation amid calls for unity; a pacifist society in an age of war. In many ways, it is again the best and worst of times. We, too, live in an age that feels both enlightened and misled, compassionate yet cruel. Those timeless words – 'it was the best of times, it was the worst of times' – could well be a mirror held up to every age, including our own. ('Drawing a Line' is a limited, eight-week series exploring the stories behind literature's most iconic opening lines. Each column offers interpretation, not definitive analysis—because great lines, like great books, invite many readings.)
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Parsons police commended for breaking drug trafficking ring
PARSONS, Kan. — Several local police officers and agencies were honored for uncommon valor Wednesday. Parsons Police Department announced Thursday that several members of its police force were honored at the Annual Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP) Spring Conference held in Mulvane, Kansas on Wednesday, being awarded with the prestigious Bronze Unit Citation for Uncommon Valor. Members of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were also present and honored with the award. Officials say the officers earned the award through their hundreds of hours of investigative work done by officers in dismantling a large drug trafficking operation throughout Southeast Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. 'This was a textbook example of what a motivated law enforcement agency can achieve when local, state, and federal agencies come together to protect our communities,' said Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks. 'Detective Dickens' initiative and leadership were critical to bringing this case to the level of federal prosecution.' Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd, adding, 'This case reflects the professionalism, commitment, and tireless work ethic of our investigations division. They represented the Parsons Police Department with distinction and purpose.' Attending the KACP conference to accept the Bronze Unit Citation on behalf of the Parsons Police Department were Lieutenant Detective Sherri McGuire, Sergeant Detective Brice Dickens, Sergeant Detective Tony Adamson and Sergeant Detective Timothy Gilliland. Members of the KBI and the DEA were also present to accept awards on their agencies' behalf. Chief Spinks and Deputy Chief Dodd were also present for support. The award is referred to by organizers as a testament to strong interagency collaboration and aims to highlight the dedication required to bring such a complex case to fruition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged in deadly 2021 shooting sues Myrtle Beach police, others for $22M+ ahead of trial start
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — An Effingham man awaiting trial for his role in the 2021 shooting death of a popular South Florence High School football player says he's owed more than $20 million for repeated civil rights violations while in custody. Tai'yuan Jackson, in jail since 2022 on a murder charge tied to the killing of DyQuayvon Dickens in a Myrtle Beach parking lot, filed a 32-page suit in U.S. District Court's Florence division March 4. He's expected to make an appearance Monday in Horry County court, according to a trial roster. Jackson is one of four people charged in connection with Dickens' death. More than 20 shots were fired in the area — a parking lot near Mr. Joe White Avenue and Withers Alley — which was highly populated at the time, according to information presented at a 2022 bond hearing for one of Jackson's co-defendants. The shooting happened at 1:30 a.m. Authorities claim that Dickens was shot 'without provocation.' Dickens was a multi-sport star, homecoming king and talented drummer at his Antioch Church. Jackson-lawsuitDownload Jackson's handwritten complaint accuses Myrtle Beach investigators of planting a handgun in his truck and then twice searching it before obtaining a warrant. 'I've been fighting to get things heard forever and nothing's changing. I'm so distraught over this whole situation,' Jackson wrote. Jackson, who was 19 at the time of his arrest, said in addition to due process violations, authorities have defamed him through multiple bond denials and court statements. 'I was made out to be a menace to society. I received backlash from people all over the surrounding areas,' Jackson said. Jackson is charged with murder, three counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, unlawful carry of a handgun and for the possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Jackson's lengthy relief petition includes the following: $1.5 million for each year of his confinement $1.5 million for four violations of South Carolina's Code of Laws $5 million for violations of the 4th, 5th, 8th, 13th and 14th amendments $700,000 donation to the Florence County School District $1 million to Dickens' family $500,000 to Dickens' church $3 million in pain and suffering costs for his mother, father and brother 2023 Ford F-250 to replace the one he's lost since incarceration $500,000 to an area homeless shelter $300,000 for grandfather's medical expenses $7 million from Myrtle Beach Police Department $500,000 to an area Boys and Girls Club $500,000 to an area cancer center $200,000 to an area Salvation Army * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Queen walks in footsteps of Charles Dickens on visit to his former home
The Queen took a shine to a diamond ring worn by Charles Dickens during his lifetime and quipped 'I won't nick it' after holding the jewellery. Camilla lightened the mood after being told the story of how Dickens' sister-in-law Mary Hogarth died in his arms after collapsing the night before and he took her ring as a keepsake. The Queen heard the tale when she visited the Charles Dickens Museum, established in the writer's only remaining London home, to celebrate its 100th anniversary and hear its patrons, actors Miriam Margolyes and Simon Callow, read extracts from his works and letters. When Oliver Dickens, the Victorian writer's great, great, great grandson, gave her the ring, as they stood in the bedroom where Ms Hogarth died, she said: 'It is rather lovely' and joked 'I won't nick it' as she handed it back. Dickens lived in the town house during the early years of his marriage to wife Catherine, completing The Pickwick Papers and writing Oliver Twist in the rented property in Holborn, central London, leaving as his family grew and his career flourished in 1839 after two years. Camilla toured the museum seeing his Dickens' writing desk, his many portraits, letters and even a smart outfit he wore to meet royalty. Sandra Lynes Timbrell, chairwoman of the museum's board of trustees, gave a speech to gathered volunteers and supports of the museum telling them they were in the former home of 'one of the most influential writers in the English language'. She added: 'Few figures in our literary history have created works that have had such a lasting impact, not only through their writing, but also through their ability to challenge and to reshape the social fabric of their time, or even in a sense, to invent Christmas. 'Dickens understood storytelling to unite people and to provoke change. 'His words have deeply influenced our understanding of charity and social responsibility and their relevance endures just as strongly today as it did in their own time.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Queen walks in footsteps of Charles Dickens on visit to his former home
The Queen took a shine to a diamond ring worn by Charles Dickens during his lifetime and quipped 'I won't nick it' after holding the jewellery. Camilla lightened the mood after being told the story of how Dickens' sister-in-law Mary Hogarth died in his arms after collapsing the night before and he took her ring as a keepsake. The Queen heard the tale when she visited the Charles Dickens Museum, established in the writer's only remaining London home, to celebrate its 100th anniversary and hear its patrons, actors Miriam Margolyes and Simon Callow, read extracts from his works and letters. When Oliver Dickens, the Victorian writer's great, great, great grandson, gave her the ring, as they stood in the bedroom where Ms Hogarth died, she said: 'It is rather lovely' and joked 'I won't nick it' as she handed it back. Dickens lived in the town house during the early years of his marriage to wife Catherine, completing The Pickwick Papers and writing Oliver Twist in the rented property in Holborn, central London, leaving as his family grew and his career flourished in 1839 after two years. Camilla toured the museum seeing his Dickens' writing desk, his many portraits, letters and even a smart outfit he wore to meet royalty. Sandra Lynes Timbrell, chairwoman of the museum's board of trustees, gave a speech to gathered volunteers and supports of the museum telling them they were in the former home of 'one of the most influential writers in the English language'. She added: 'Few figures in our literary history have created works that have had such a lasting impact, not only through their writing, but also through their ability to challenge and to reshape the social fabric of their time, or even in a sense, to invent Christmas. 'Dickens understood storytelling to unite people and to provoke change. 'His words have deeply influenced our understanding of charity and social responsibility and their relevance endures just as strongly today as it did in their own time.'
