The Dream Boat podcast

Series 5, Episode 2: I’m Dreaming Of A Dickens Christmas - Why did Dickens always sleep facing north?

12/12/2024
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In this festive conversation, Laura and Melinda are joined by author Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, Dickens’ great, great, great granddaughter to explore the profound influence of Charles Dickens on Christmas traditions, dreaming and the cultural significance of his work, particularly 'A Christmas Carol.' 

 

They delve into Dickens' complex relationship with sleep and dreams, which is often explored in his novels with their themes of redemption and social responsibility, and his bizarre sleeping habits. Dickens suffered from parasomnias – sleeping disorders like hallucinations and nightmares, which are the hallmark feature of ‘A Christmas Carol’ when the ghost of Marley terrorises his business partner Ebenezer Scrooge in his sleep on Christmas Eve, with dramatic consequences.

 

Lucinda, biographer and Victorian historian, shares insights into Victorian Christmas celebrations and personal traditions, emphasizing the importance of connection and joy during the holiday season. They discuss the enduring legacy of Dickens' storytelling and its relevance in today's world and Lucinda’s new book, ‘A Victorian Christmas’ as well as her earlier book ‘Dickens and Christmas’.

 

Your dreams are worth inquiring about too! Share a dream or a question via our website driccpe.org.uk or the social links below!

 

www.lucindahawksley.com

Insta: @lucindahawksley

Victorian Christmas: Traditional Recipes, Decorations, Activities and Carols, 2024, Countryman Press Inc.

Dickens and  Christmas, 2021, Pen and Sword History.

 

Let us know what you think and submit a dream for us to explore on the podcast! 

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This podcast is a project of the DRI, the centre for dream studies at CCPE, the psychotherapy college overlooking the canals at London’s scenic Little Venice.

 

Remember you can join the DRI for just £30 a year currently to access discounted events, courses, newsletters and join in the conversation about dreams. Go to driccpe.org.uk/sign-up to join!

 

Keep dreaming and keep sharing your dreams!

 

Credits

Recorded on Riverside.fm by Dave and Laura

Edited by James Ede at Be Heard https://beheard.org.uk 

Podcast Artwork Design by Kat Seager Design

 

Music:

Adventures by A Himitsu https://soundcloud.com/a-himitsu 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0

Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2Pj0MtT

Music released by Argofox https://youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQE 

Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8

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