The document provides context and questions about Charles Dickens' short story "The Signalman" which was published in 1865. It asks the reader to consider beliefs in ghosts, premonitions, and the ability to alter future events. It highlights key aspects of Victorian England during the time period Dickens wrote and encourages the reader to pay attention to the relationship between the narrator and signalman, how Dickens builds atmosphere, and the connection between the story and a 1865 railway accident.

1. The Signalman
Charles Dickens

2. Do you believe in ghosts?

3. Do you believe that time is linear
and unalterable?

4. Do you feel that there is such a
thing as ‘meaningful coincidence’
or is life a series of random
events?

5. Not just amusing incidents like this...

6. Or this...

7. But an underlying pattern or grand
design that is unfolding – and
what if you could perceive the
blueprint?

8. Do you believe it is possible to
have a premonition of future
events?

9. If you could see into the future, do
you believe it would be possible to
take action to alter events?

11. Charles Dickens - 1865

12. Queen Victoria
1837 - 1894

13. The Victorian Era
‘The Industrial revolution’

14. ‘scientific invention, innovation
& progress’

15. Stevenson – ‘Jekyll & Hyde’

16. ‘The Age of Steam’

17. A radical choice of setting for a
mystery story

18. Narrative perspective
1st person

19. Mystery stories rely on withholding
of information which is drip fed – this
is just one way to create tension

20. Keep an eye out for the shifting
relationship between the narrator
and the signalman and how
Dickens controls it

21. Also pay attention to how he creates
and develops the atmosphere in the
short story using imagery, strong
verbs and adjectives for effect

22. Finally – a little teaser for you –
what is the connection between
the Staplehurst railway accident of
1865 and our author?