Golden Gate Heights resident of San Francisco, delights in the annual Dickens Christmas Fair
Known for its 163-tiled steps leading to scenic views of the Western-side of San Francisco, Golden Gate Heights is home to over 11,000 people.
Among those people is resident Therese Porter. She is Co-Director of Entertainment and Director of Street Theatre at the Dickens Fair.
Known for its unique one-of-a-kind ‘Immersion theatre’ experience, the annual Christmas event is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
As someone who knows the works of writer Charles Dickens well and has portrayed various characters from his books like Mrs. Finching, a character from, the Dickens novel, ‘Little Dorritt,’ Porter took a few minutes to speak to the Westside Observer.
She took some time to chat, away from the busy schedule of rehearsals and the last-week coordinating of one San Francisco’s most long-standing holiday performance traditions. The last day to attend the fair is Dec. 22. She talked about how women in Dickens stories are impacted by poverty. And, since Porter is well acquainted with many of the women characters of the Dickens novels, the question was asked.
Why does Dickens’ writing on poverty stand out from all the other 19th Century writers of his time?
“Charles Dickens was one of the few writers of his day that actually experienced poverty first hand,” said Porter.
Dickens had to leave school at age 12 to work in a boot-blacking factory for at least 10 hours a day to help support the family because his father was sent to ‘Debtor’s Prison.’
“His father, John Dickens, had always lived above his means, even as his family and his career continued to grow,” said Porter.
“We know from his writings and his autobiographical fragments that being forced out of the family home and into work at such a young age, not to mention being exposed to the dangerous and chaotic life of the London working poor, had a profound effect on his life and work,” she added.
The strata of the various working and lower classes in Victorian England are all featured in Dickens’ writings. “It’s at a depth and scope not really covered in the works of other writers of his time,” said Porter.
Satirical writers of the period such as William Thackeray (author of ‘Vanity Fair’) did write about poverty. Yet, as Porter noted. "Other writers such as Thackeray and George Eliot mentioned the poor and lower classes in their work, but not with the detail and sympathy Dickens brought to the topic.”
Dickens wrote more about the conditions of the poor than any other writer. “Throughout his life and in his works, Dickens was incensed the hypocrisy of people who were in a position to do something, and yet did very little or nothing,” said Porter.
She also noted that London was the largest city of the world at that time. “The wealthy and elite were making fortunes exploiting the labour of the growing working and working poor classes who they viewed as a nuisance and some sort of ‘other’ species,” said Porter.
There was an effort in Great Britain to facilitate reforms in public health, education and laws that affected the poor, and Dickens' works played an enormous part in that effort, as well as bringing the problems to a wide audience.
As many scholars and historians point out, part of the power of Dickens' writing derives from his use of archetype, and his unique approach to character and personality.
Porter agreed. Dickens spent time in his youth as a court reporter, and he learned to observe personalities. He was able to transform “stock characters” or “cardboard cutout villains” into memorable characters. Dickens drew much of his inspiration from real life people he observed.
Dickens was able to quickly paint a scene with “just a few brush strokes,” said Porter, as it were, with his literary paintbrush of a pen upon a story-setting canvas.
When asked… From your experience and perspective as you see Dickens, what is or was the “archetype” of poverty and its impact upon women and society?
“It’s difficult for us to fathom today the perils of poverty that so many people faced in 19th Century Britain, especially women,” said Porter.
Simple injuries or illnesses that we today can easily heal from could be catastrophic or fatal for working people and the poor. What we take for granted in terms of dealing with chronic conditions, injuries and disease could not be managed by the medical knowledge of the time,” noted Porter.
Life expectancy was short and mortality rates especially for women and children were very high.
“Although he did resort to archetypes and cardboard cutouts for some characters, said Porter, Dickens could portray women with great depth and compassion.”
“He could also vividly convey their backstory,” she said.
Yet, ironically, Porter noted. “Away from his work in writing, Dickens never really understood women. He was a difficult person to deal with in real life.”
In his younger days, “Dickens was very passionate and often romanticized the ideal wife as ‘an angel’ young, sweet & beautiful,” Porter said.
Dickens had 10 children with wife Catherine. Only eight of the 10 reached adulthood.“However, noted Porter, Dickens made sure all of his children were educated, even the girls.”
Sadly, the relationship he had with wife Catherine deteriorated. And as University of York, Dickens scholar, Professor John Bowen, told The Guardian UK back in 2019, “If he (Dickens) could have her (wife, Catherine) declared mad; and she could be confined to an asylum, he could live as he pleased and nobody would think badly of him.”
Admitting that Dickens could be narcissistic at times, Porter said, “Still, his problematic relationships with women in real life didn’t diminish his capacity as a writer to portray women as strong and resilient. This portrayal appears throughout much of his works.”
“With all the current social and cultural changes happening today, I think what the Dickens Fair offers people is truly unique,” said Porter.
“We present a one-of-a-kind ‘immersion theatre’ experience that visitors can experience and connect with in person rather than just looking at a screen.”
“It seems as if for most people today, said Porter, much of work and daily activity is spent interacting with a screen or some sort of electronic device.”
“What we offer at the Dickens Fair is an opportunity to see humanity (and a view of a specific history) from a different angle in real time in person.”
While much has changed since Dickens’ time more than 150 years ago, “there’s so much that hasn’t changed “ said Porter. “The tyranny of capitalism is still alive,” she said. “And, yes! The Scrooges of our time as well.”
The Dickens Fair concludes its five consecutive weekends, from Nov 23 to Dec. 22 at the Cow Palace. Sunday Dec. 22 is the very last day for this 2024 holiday season. For those who don’t like the rainy weather, keep in mind, the Dickens Fair is indoors and a generous expanse of the Cow Palace. Shuttles are available to take attendees back and forth so to save on extensive walking to and from the parking lot and avoid the raindrops. For more information and to p purchase tickets visit the website.
