The Victorian Era was the period in time in which Queen Victoria of England ruled. This time period lasted from 1837 to 1901, and has been characterized as an extended period of peace with rigid codes of social conduct. Throughout this time period, an abundance of music, art, technological and scientific advances were produced that have continued into the present. One of the greatest progressions of the Victorian Era was the rise of literature. During this time period, literature became an activity that not only the wealthy upper class could enjoy, but now also the lower classes obtained opportunities to read and learn. One the most distinguished writers of the Victorian Era, Charles Dickens produced many great novels and short stories that
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Mr.Mopes is a hermit defined in the New Oxford American Dictionary as, “any person living in solitude or seeking to do so.” (Abate & Jewell, 2001) At a deeper depth we can see reasoning as to why Charles Dickens titled his short story the way he did. The first paragraph of the story reads, “‘And why Tom Tiddler’s Ground?’ said the Traveller. “Because he (Mr.Mopes) scatters halfpence to Tramps and such-like.” returned the Landlord, “and of course they pick ‘em up. And this being done on his own land … why it is regarding the halfpence as gold and silver, and turning the ownership of the property a bit round your finger, and there you have the name of the children’s game complete.’” Further research reveals that Tom Tiddler’s Ground was a children's game created before Charles Dickens wrote the short story. In the game, one player named Tom Tiddler is tasked to protect his territory, which would have been marked on the ground. The other players then infiltrate his ground while chanting, “We’re on Tom Tiddler’s ground, picking up gold and silver.” This tells us that Mr.Mopes actions of giving away money is similar to that of the game, and that people come and take from Mr.Mopes without reasonable cause to do so. (Townsend & Taylor,
Mr.Mopes is a hermit defined in the New Oxford American Dictionary as, “any person living in solitude or seeking to do so.” (Abate & Jewell, 2001) At a deeper depth we can see reasoning as to why Charles Dickens titled his short story the way he did. The first paragraph of the story reads, “‘And why Tom Tiddler’s Ground?’ said the Traveller. “Because he (Mr.Mopes) scatters halfpence to Tramps and such-like.” returned the Landlord, “and of course they pick ‘em up. And this being done on his own land … why it is regarding the halfpence as gold and silver, and turning the ownership of the property a bit round your finger, and there you have the name of the children’s game complete.’” Further research reveals that Tom Tiddler’s Ground was a children's game created before Charles Dickens wrote the short story. In the game, one player named Tom Tiddler is tasked to protect his territory, which would have been marked on the ground. The other players then infiltrate his ground while chanting, “We’re on Tom Tiddler’s ground, picking up gold and silver.” This tells us that Mr.Mopes actions of giving away money is similar to that of the game, and that people come and take from Mr.Mopes without reasonable cause to do so. (Townsend & Taylor,