I think it impossible, utterly impossible, for any Englishman to live here [in America], and be happy

I think it impossible, utterly impossible, for any Englishman to live here [in America], and be happy

Charles Dickens, the renowned English novelist, visited America in the mid-19th century and famously remarked, “I think it impossible, utterly impossible, for any Englishman to live here [in America], and be happy.” This statement reflects Dickens’ observations and experiences during his time in America, as well as his own biases and preconceptions about the country.

Dickens’ visit to America in 1842 was a highly anticipated event, as he was already a well-known and respected author in both England and America. However, his initial impressions of the country were less than favorable. He was struck by the stark differences between America and England, particularly in terms of social customs, manners, and attitudes. Dickens found American society to be brash, materialistic, and lacking in refinement compared to the more genteel and class-conscious society of England.

One of the key reasons why Dickens may have found it “impossible” for an Englishman to be happy in America was the issue of slavery. During his visit, Dickens was appalled by the institution of slavery and the treatment of African Americans in the southern states. He was a vocal critic of slavery and wrote extensively about the horrors of the system in his later works, such as “Bleak House” and “A Tale of Two Cities.” For Dickens, the presence of slavery in America was a moral stain on the country that made it impossible for him to reconcile his values with the reality of American society.