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'where Is My Nephew?, Asked Mr Jasper, Wildly. 'where Is Your Nephew?' Repeated Neveille. 'why Do You Ask Me?' 'i Ask You,' Retorted Jasper, 'because You Were The Last Person In His Company, And He Is Not To Be Found.' The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, Dickens's Last Novel, Lay Unfinished At His Death. Speculation Remains Rife As To Its Probably Conclusion; Evidence Suggests That, Fascinated As Dickens Was By Details Of The Plotting, His Basic Concern Was For Character And Appropriate Setting, In Particular The Character Of The Hero-villain, Jasper. The Ancient City Of Cloisterham, Its Cathedral A Reminder Of Mortality, Human Frailty, And The Lawful Life, Is An Effective Background For What Dickens Daughter Called A Tale Of 'the Tragic Secrets Of The Human Heart'. Humour Is Provided By A Host Of Characters Ranging Fro Mr Grewgious, The Admirable Though Eccentric Lawyer, And Miss Twinkleton, Guardian Of The Young Ladies' Seminary, To Durdles, The Hard-drinking Stonemason, And Deputy, The Irreverent Lodging-house Boy. This Edition Contains Dickens's Working Plans For The Novel, And The Text Is That Of The Authoritative Clarendon Edition. About The Series: For Over 100 Years Oxford World's Classics Has Made Available The Widest Range Of Literature From Around The Globe. Each Affordable Volume Reflects Oxford's Commitment To Scholarship, Providing The Most Accurate Text Plus A Wealth Of Other Valuable Features, Including Expert Introductions By Leading Authorities, Helpful Notes To Clarify The Text, Up-to-date Bibliographies For Further Study, And Much More.
The sudden disappearance of Edwin Drood following a heated confrontation with his uncle, John Jasper, triggers a frantic search and deep suspicion within the quiet cathedral town of Cloisterham. The narrative follows the investigation into Drood's vanishing, centering on the complex psychological state of Jasper, a choirmaster harboring dark, hidden impulses. As the plot unfolds, the reader encounters a cast of characters whose lives intersect within the shadow of the town's ancient cathedral. The story, presented in a third-person perspective, utilizes a gothic atmosphere to explore themes of obsession, morality, and the secrets concealed behind respectable facades.
Discussion often centers on the enduring frustration and fascination regarding the novel's abrupt conclusion. Readers frequently highlight the atmospheric quality of the Cloisterham setting, which serves as a character in its own right. Critics often examine the depth of John Jasper's characterization, noting his role as a precursor to more modern, complex literary villains. The balance between the darker, gothic elements and the characteristic Dickensian humor remains a frequent point of analysis for scholars and casual readers alike. Many find the inclusion of the author's working notes to be a vital component for understanding the intended trajectory of the plot.
Page Count:
266
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191504556
ISBN-13:
9780191504556