God Bless Us, Every One!

Charles Dickens was not one to over-capitalize, or to exclaim with an exclamation mark when a simple declaration and a period would suffice.

Yet, in Christmas Carol, he capitalized each separate word of the signature “God Bless Us, Every One!” and added an exclamation point for good measure.  What are we to make of that?

Well, the exception proves the rule ... and the exception emphasizes the new and different element being used.  Dickens understood the emotional impact those five words would have on the Reader, who has witnessed the tale lovingly unfold, like a Christmas treasure from a ream of silver paper and bows.

Pacing. Pitter-patter.  Words that flow across the page in long and sweeping paragraphs ... and then are suddenly adorned by the staccato flourish of a catch-phrase sentence.

Today, nearly two centuries later, most can readily identify Tiny Tim as the speaker of the prayerful affirmation (though they might lack the perspicacity to reckon those who lectured on the mustard seed, the value of a penny saved, or of peace in our time.

Tiny Tim’s exclamation (Dickens actually characterized it as an “observation”) is variously recorded in source materials, though the five-words version – each capitalized, with a comma and exclamation point – seems most authoritative.  But tinkering with the craftsman’s art can leave us far from the mark.

Altering it ever so slightly to “God bless us, everyone” for example, seems to invite a rather mundane and secular blessing – calling for those assembled to take note of the invitation.

“God bless us! Everyone!” sounds like the whole room just sneezed.

The proper “Every One!” places staccato emphasis on you, and you and, most especially YOU, great-uncle Ebeneezer.  Capitalization lends an air of formality – even holiness – which might also be inferred from the application of the word “truly” a few words prior in the Dickens script (the Gospels utilize the phrase “Truly I say to you ...” when Jesus wanted particularly to stress a parabolic subtlety).

In any case, it seems clear that Dickens intended to invoke the authority of the Christian God, having previously interwoven an easily recognizable theme of Christian forgiveness and redemption with four rather pedestrian Pagan “spirits.”

It’s fortunate Dickens’ artistry was spawned in the free-enterprise journals of 19th century England.  Clearly his profanely “spiritual” message would never survive the blue pencils of the NEA-driven dilettantes churning out contemporary manifestoes.

And such is our loss.

Next: God, the damned

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