London Descriptions Flashcards
Analyse quote “Offences of smell, and dirt, and life, upon the straggling streets and the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth and misery. “
-By choosing the word “offences,” Dickens personifies the smells as active agents of corruption, suggesting that the filth is not merely present but assaulting the senses. This personification intensifies the sense of discomfort and revulsion, making the setting feel hostile and oppressive.
-Dickens subtly critiques how society allows human life to persist in such degrading conditions, where survival itself becomes a struggle against an unclean and crime-ridden environment.
-The word “reeked” is particularly powerful, as it not only conveys an intense stench but also metaphorically suggests moral and societal decay. The use of “with” before each noun creates a rhythmic, hammering effect, ensuring that the reader fully absorbs the extent of degradation.
-The setting described in this passage mirrors the real-life conditions of London’s poorest districts in the mid-19th century. The Industrial Revolution had led to rapid urbanization, but with it came overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, and extreme poverty. Areas such as Whitechapel were notorious for their slums, where disease and crime flourished due to lack of sanitation, proper housing, and social support.
