53
BEES IN DICKENS'S BONNET
ALAN S. WATTS
My dictionary defines "a bee in one's bonnet" as "a whimsical fancy
on some point". This does not really entitle me to adopt the phrase
fcr the purpose I have in mind, but it is a memorable phrase, and
Dickens certainly had a number of insistent topics or whimsical
fancies, such as wooden legs, which, like King Charles's head, kept
getting into his novels. These are the things I refer to as "bees".
I have chosen four of many, but in discussing them I do not propose
to put forward any psychological explanation for their recurrence.
Still less do I wish to suggest that they are deeply meaningful
symbols, although for ought I know they might be. I set them before
you, as I believe Dickens did, primarily for your entertainment.
BEE NUMBER ONE ARITHMETIC
Perhaps Dickens's interest in this subject reflects his joyful enthusiasm
for lessons when he escaped from the seeming hopelessness of the blacking
factory and went, in sharp contrast to Shakespeare's schoolboy, most
willingly to school. Numerous references throughout his novels to English
grammar might lend weight to this supposition. But let us look at what
Dickens had to say about arithmetic.
In PICKWICK, Chapter 27, Tony Weller remarks of the Reverend Mr Stiggings
that he is a "good 'and at accounts" -"Borrows eighteen pence on Monday,
Sammy, and comes on Tuesday for a shillin" to make it up to half-a-crown
Calls again on Vensday for another half-crown to make it five shillin's,
and goes on doublin' till he gets up to a five pund note in no time.
Like them sums in the 'rithmetic book 'bout the nails in the horse's shoes."
In contrast to this passage is one from DOMBEY AND SON, Chaper 14, which
describes Miss Blimber acquainting Paul Dombey with the contents of his
'analysis', or, as we would now say, his school report:
I find,"said Miss Blimber, "that the natural capacity of Dombey is
extremely good; and that his general disposition to study may be stated in
an equal ratio. Thus, taking eight as our standard and highest number, I
find these qualities in Dombey stated each at six three-fourths."
Miss Blimber paused to see how Paul received this news. Being undecided
