Their demeanor is invariably morose, sullen, clownish and repulsive. I should think there is not, on the face of the earth, a people so entirely destitute of humor, vivacity, or the capacity for enjoyment.
Interpretation
The quote reflects a negative view of a group of people lacking joy and humor.
Charles Dickens expresses his disappointment in a group of people, describing them as lacking in humor and enjoyment. He suggests that their demeanor is not only sad and sullen but also repulsive, highlighting a profound absence of vivacity that makes them unappealing to others.
In practice
In a speech about community engagement, one might say, 'We must avoid becoming like those described by Dickens, who lacked humor and joy.'
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
When you've seen a nude infant doing a backward somersault you know why clothing exists.
I'll try if I know all the things I used to know. Let me see: four times five is twelve, and four times six is thirteen, and four times seven is - oh dear! I shall never get to twenty at that rate!
Picturesque meant - he decided after careful observation of the scenerey that inspired Twoflower to use the word - that the landscape was horribly precipitous. Quaint, when used to describe the occasional village through which they passed, meant fever-ridden and tumbledown. Twoflower was a tourist, the first ever seen on the discworld. Tourist, Rincewind had decided, mean 'idiot'.
I think fish is nice, but then I think that rain is wet, so who am I to judge?
The arrival of a good clown exercises a more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than twenty asses laden with drugs.
Comedy is a very rough beat. It's no holds barred, as it should be.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.