Dickens and Mesmerism
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Dickens and Mesmerism
Fred Kaplan's examination of Charles Dickens and mesmerism is a meticulously researched argument that illuminates a lesser-understood facet of the Victorian literary landscape. Kaplan compellingly argues that the pervasive cultural phenomenon of mesmerism provided Dickens with a rich vocabulary and conceptual framework for exploring themes of control, manipulation, and the hidden forces governing human behavior. The book's strength lies in its detailed textual analysis, drawing clear lines between mesmeric concepts and their literary manifestations in novels like *Great Expectations* and *David Copperfield*. A notable limitation, however, is that at times the argument feels more like an academic dissection than a flowing narrative, occasionally slowing the reader's engagement. Despite this, Kaplan's exploration of how characters like Uriah Heep might embody or react to mesmeric principles offers a genuinely fresh perspective. It is a valuable scholarly contribution for those dedicated to Dickensian studies.
📝 Description
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### What It Is Fred Kaplan's "Dickens and Mesmerism" investigates the profound influence of Franz Mesmer's theories and practices on the literary output of Charles Dickens. Published in 2016, this work meticulously examines how the popular fascination with mesmerism, animal magnetism, and associated phenomena permeated Victorian society and found its way into the narratives, characters, and thematic concerns of Dickens's novels.
### Who It's For This book is intended for scholars of Victorian literature, students of the history of science and medicine, and readers interested in the intersection of popular culture, esoteric beliefs, and literary creation. It will appeal to those who seek to understand the intellectual currents that shaped one of England's most celebrated authors.
### Historical Context The mid-19th century was a period of intense interest in forces beyond conventional scientific understanding. Mesmerism, originating with Franz Mesmer in the late 18th century, gained considerable traction throughout Europe and America, offering explanations for phenomena like hypnosis, clairvoyance, and spiritual healing. This fascination occurred alongside burgeoning industrialization and rapid social change, creating a fertile ground for exploring altered states of consciousness and hidden influences.
### Key Concepts Kaplan explores how Dickens employed mesmeric themes to explore power dynamics, social control, and psychological manipulation. Concepts such as "animal magnetism," "trances," "suggestion," and "willpower" are examined not just as scientific curiosities but as potent literary devices. The work illuminates how Dickens used these ideas to critique societal structures and explore the inner lives of his characters.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Understand the 19th-century fascination with mesmerism and its impact on literature, learning how concepts like "animal magnetism" influenced authors beyond mere superficial adoption, as detailed in the historical context Kaplan provides. • Gain new interpretive lenses for Dickens's novels, discovering how characters and plot devices, such as the exploration of psychological manipulation in *Great Expectations*, were informed by mesmeric theories. • Appreciate the intellectual climate of Victorian England, recognizing how societal interests in altered states of consciousness and hidden influences, discussed in relation to the 1840s, shaped literary expression.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was Franz Mesmer's theory of animal magnetism first popularized?
Franz Mesmer's theories of "animal magnetism," which formed the basis of mesmerism, first gained significant public attention in Paris during the late 1770s and early 1780s.
Which specific Dickens novels does Fred Kaplan analyze in relation to mesmerism?
Fred Kaplan's work extensively analyzes novels such as *Great Expectations*, *David Copperfield*, and *Bleak House*, showing how their characters and plots engage with mesmeric concepts.
What is 'animal magnetism' as understood by Mesmer?
Animal magnetism, according to Mesmer, was a universal fluid or force that could be manipulated by a skilled practitioner to influence the health and consciousness of others, inducing states akin to trance or sleep.
How did societal views on mesmerism evolve in the 19th century?
Initially met with scientific skepticism and even scandal, mesmerism evolved throughout the 19th century from a controversial fringe practice to a subject of widespread public fascination, influencing both popular culture and early psychological thought.
Did Dickens himself ever practice or publicly endorse mesmerism?
While Dickens was certainly aware of and influenced by mesmeric phenomena, there is no evidence he actively practiced mesmerism. His engagement appears to be primarily literary and observational, reflecting its cultural presence.
What is the significance of mesmerism in understanding Victorian literature?
Mesmerism provides a lens through which to understand Victorian literature's fascination with the subconscious, hidden influences, power dynamics, and the exploration of altered states of consciousness, as Kaplan demonstrates.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Mesmeric Gaze
This theme explores how Dickens utilized the concept of the mesmeric gaze—a powerful, often controlling stare—to represent characters who exert undue influence over others. It examines how this literary device reflects anxieties about manipulation and social hierarchy in Victorian England. Kaplan points to instances where characters' eyes or focused attention become conduits for psychological power, mirroring the techniques described by mesmerists seeking to induce trance states or control subjects through focused will.
Animal Magnetism and Social Control
The work investigates how the principle of 'animal magnetism,' as theorized by Franz Mesmer, was adapted by Dickens to critique systems of social control. Beyond individual manipulation, Dickens used mesmeric undertones to depict institutions and societal structures that held individuals in a state of subjugation, akin to a mesmeric trance. This theme examines how unseen forces and influences, whether personal or systemic, could bind and control individuals, reflecting a deeper societal unease with power.
Altered States and Narrative Structure
Kaplan examines how Dickens employed narrative techniques that mirrored the altered states of consciousness associated with mesmerism. This includes exploring dreams, visions, moments of psychological fugue, and uncanny coincidences. The book suggests that Dickens's innovative storytelling, particularly his ability to create suspense and explore the subconscious, was partly informed by the popular understanding and representation of mesmeric phenomena in the 1840s and beyond.
The Unseen Influence
This core theme delves into Dickens's consistent focus on the unseen forces that shape human destiny and behavior. Whether through supernatural suggestion, psychological suggestion, or societal pressures, Dickens frequently depicted characters acting under influences they barely understood. Kaplan connects this literary preoccupation directly to the widespread discussions surrounding mesmerism, which posited invisible fluids and forces capable of profound impact on the human mind and body.
💬 Memorable Quotes
“Dickens's characters often enacted the dynamics of suggestion and control central to mesmeric discourse.”
— This paraphrased concept highlights how the author's fictional creations embodied the principles of influence and subjugation that were popularized by mesmerism, showing its direct application in character development.
“The fascination with animal magnetism provided a new language for exploring psychological power in Victorian society.”
— This interpretation suggests that mesmeric theories offered Victorians, including Dickens, a framework and vocabulary to articulate and understand the complex interplay of wills and unseen influences in personal and social relationships.
“Victorian novels frequently engaged with trance states and the power of the subconscious, reflecting societal interest in mesmerism.”
— This paraphrased statement points to a broader literary trend in the Victorian era, where authors explored altered states of consciousness and hidden mental processes, a fascination fueled by the widespread public discourse on mesmerism.
“The literary use of mesmeric themes allowed authors to explore the boundaries of free will and external coercion.”
— This interpretation posits that by incorporating mesmeric ideas, novelists could delve into philosophical questions about autonomy, examining how individuals' choices might be predetermined or manipulated by external forces, a common trope in mesmeric narratives.
“Dickens's narratives often feature characters who are subtly or overtly 'mesmerized' by their circumstances or other individuals.”
— This paraphrased concept illustrates how Dickens's plots and characterizations can be read through a mesmeric lens, where individuals appear passive or controlled, reflecting the effects described in mesmeric literature and demonstrations.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While mesmerism itself is not a formal esoteric tradition in the vein of Hermeticism or Kabbalah, it occupied a crucial space in the broader spectrum of esoteric inquiry during the 19th century. It represented a significant departure from purely materialistic or religious explanations for human consciousness and healing. Its focus on invisible forces, magnetic fluids, and the power of the will aligns it with currents of vitalism and early psychical research that sought to understand the subtle energies and powers of the mind, bridging scientific curiosity with occult speculation.
Symbolism
A key symbol is the "mesmeric trance," representing a state of heightened suggestibility and access to subconscious realms, often portrayed in literature as a loss of control or a deeper form of perception. Another motif is "animal magnetism" itself, symbolizing an invisible, vital life force that can be transmitted between individuals, signifying connection, influence, and potential manipulation. The "practitioner's gaze" also functions symbolically, representing focused will and the power to dominate or heal through sheer psychic force.
Modern Relevance
The legacy of mesmerism, and its exploration in works like Kaplan's, continues to inform contemporary fields. Hypnotherapy, a direct descendant, remains a recognized therapeutic practice. Furthermore, modern discussions around energy healing, consciousness studies, and the power of suggestion in psychology and marketing echo the principles that fascinated Victorians. Thinkers and practitioners in fields exploring subtle energies and the mind-body connection often find historical roots in the mesmeric movement and its literary representations.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Students of Victorian literature seeking to deepen their understanding of Charles Dickens's thematic concerns and narrative techniques. • Scholars of the history of science and medicine interested in the cultural impact of mesmerism and its influence on societal thought. • Readers of esoteric or occult philosophy who wish to explore the historical antecedents of modern psychical research and consciousness studies.
📜 Historical Context
The mid-19th century, particularly the 1830s through the 1860s, was a period when mesmerism, originating from Franz Mesmer's theories in the late 18th century, was a widespread cultural phenomenon in Britain. This era also saw rapid industrialization, burgeoning spiritualism, and intense scientific debate. Intellectual currents ranged from strict positivism, championed by figures like Auguste Comte, to more speculative inquiries into the nature of consciousness and unseen forces. Mesmerism offered a compelling, albeit controversial, explanation for phenomena like hypnosis, clairvoyance, and healing, capturing the public imagination. While many scientists dismissed it, its presence in popular culture, theatre, and literature was undeniable. Contemporaries like Arthur Conan Doyle would later engage with similar spiritualist and psychical research themes, though Dickens’s engagement predates Doyle’s most famous works, placing his exploration firmly within the initial wave of mesmeric influence.
📔 Journal Prompts
The mesmeric gaze as a tool of narrative power in Dickens's fiction.
Reflections on "animal magnetism" as a metaphor for social influence.
The portrayal of trance states and subconscious exploration in Victorian literature.
How literary engagement with mesmerism challenged contemporary scientific views.
The enduring concepts of unseen influence in modern psychology and popular culture.
🗂️ Glossary
Mesmerism
A pseudoscientific practice originating with Franz Mesmer, involving the theory of a universal fluid (animal magnetism) that could be manipulated to induce therapeutic effects, including trance-like states.
Animal Magnetism
The invisible, vital fluid or force proposed by Mesmer that permeates all living beings and can be transmitted by a practitioner to influence another's health and consciousness.
Trance
An altered state of consciousness, often induced through mesmerism, characterized by heightened suggestibility, passivity, and sometimes clairvoyant or somnambulistic experiences.
Suggestion
The process by which a mesmerist influences the thoughts, feelings, or actions of a subject in a trance state, often dictating perceptions or commands.
Victorian Era
The period of Queen Victoria's reign in the United Kingdom, from 1837 to 1901, marked by significant industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and social changes.
Vitalism
A philosophical doctrine that living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living entities because they contain some non-physical element, such as life force or 'élan vital'.
Psychical Research
The study of alleged psychic phenomena and other paranormal claims, often including telepathy, clairvoyance, and mediumship, which gained prominence in the late 19th century.
