Gracious heavens! He cries out, leaping up and catching hold of his hair, what's this? Print!

Gracious heavens! He cries out, leaping up and catching hold of his hair, what's this? Print!

"Gracious heavens! He cries out, leaping up and catching hold of his hair, what's this? Print!" These words, uttered by the character Mr. Pickwick in Charles Dickens' novel "The Pickwick Papers," capture the sense of shock and disbelief that often permeates Dickens' works. In this particular scene, Mr. Pickwick is reacting to a scandalous article that has been published about him in a newspaper, causing him great distress and embarrassment.

Throughout his career, Charles Dickens was known for his sharp critique of society and his ability to expose the injustices and hypocrisies of his time. In "The Pickwick Papers," Dickens uses the character of Mr. Pickwick to satirize the sensationalism and lack of journalistic integrity that was prevalent in the newspapers of the day. The scandalous article that Mr. Pickwick reads serves as a commentary on the power of the press to shape public opinion and destroy reputations.

The exclamation "Gracious heavens!" reflects Mr. Pickwick's sense of shock and disbelief at the betrayal he feels upon reading the article. The image of him leaping up and catching hold of his hair conveys his emotional turmoil and the intensity of his reaction. By exclaiming "what's this? Print!" Mr. Pickwick is questioning the truthfulness and motives behind the article, highlighting the dangers of relying on the media for accurate information.