RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Dickens, Oliver Twist. CUL-DAR195.3.56. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 6.2022. RN2
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR195 contains materials for Darwin's book Expression of the emotions (1872) organised roughly as: DAR195.1 blushing. DAR195.2 astonishment, fear. DAR195.3 indignation, rage, screaming, etc. DAR195.4 laughter, frowning, introduction.
[56]
(Read this book for admirable descriptions of expression)
Oliver Twist vol III p. 245
"I can see the people jumping up one behind another, & snarling with their teeth, & making at him, like wild beasts when the murderer Fagin was taken.─
Previously. B. Sikes dog is described as running away when Sikes was going to drown him.─ must have recognized expression.─
The truth of the description shows that dogs do know expression.─
[Expression, p. 243: "Dickens,10 in speaking of an atrocious murderer who had just been caught, and was surrounded by a furious mob, describes 'the people as jumping up one behind another, snarling with their teeth, and making at him like wild beasts.'"
Dickens, C. 1838. Oliver Twist, or, the parish boy's progress. 3 vols. London: Richard Bentley.]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 13 January, 2026