Korea.net: Korean Government Homepage: "The Expatriate Handbook [English] Introduces 'The Expatriate Handbook' published by Hollym. It was compiled for the expatriate living in Seoul for a short, limited time only. The handbook takes an A to Z format providing information on everything, from locating day-to-day conveniences, to recreation, social and cultural information. "

BLOGGER :: Dano FAQ

---

Great Expectations Cast of Characters

---

Great Expectations Review

---

Great Expectations Memorable Quotes

---

David Copperfield Review

It's not often I've read a book of such scope and magnitude as Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. My only motivation in reading it is that it was the biggest, cheapest book I could find at Media Play before I left for Korea that was also a classic, an area I've wanted to concentrate on recently. I knew nothing about the book and I never anticipated it would take me over three months to read and become one of the most difficult books I would ever undertake. At over 800 pages and full of the language commonly used when it was published in 1850, be prepared for a challenge.

In the end, the undertaking was more than worth it. The story purports to be the autobiography of the fictional character David Copperfield. It was originally published in serial form in England and then later released in book form.

I have little worthwhile to report on the book other than how it affected me. I can't recall reading a secular book that had such a profound impact as to make me want to be a better person. Copperfield recounts the people and events of his life from birth through, I believe, his early thirties. Without preaching, he weaves a credible and vast cross-section of experiences that show the triumph of honesty and hard work, the consequences of deception, and the importance of character. The book contains, by my count, 44 significant characters, most of whom wind up reaping the consequences of their actions, good and bad. Just as Dickens expressed his fondness for Copperfield, I was sorry when the book came to an end.

In perhaps the same way I am enamored by Shakespeare, David Copperfield won me over through Dickens' insights into human nature. His observations are keen, succinct, and timeless. This book was a chore but I am a better person for reading it. I am conscious that may sound silly but it remains a statement of the truth.

---

David Copperfield Memorable Quotes

"Barkis is willin'." -Mr. Barkis, page 60.

"I feel as if it were not for me to record, even though this manuscript is intended for no eyes but mine, how hard I worked at that tremendous short-hand, and all improvement appertaining to it, in my sense of responsibility to Dora and her aunts. I will only add, to what I have already written on my perseverance at this time of my life, and of a patient and continuous energy which then began to be matured within me, and which I know to be the strong part of my character, if it have any strength at all that there, on looking back, I find the source of my success. I have been very fortunate in worldly matters; many men have worked much harder, and not succeeded half so well; but I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time, no matter how quickly its successor should come upon its heels, which I then formed. Heaven knows I write this, in no spirit of self-laudation. The man who reviews his own life, as I do mine, in going on here, from page to page, had need to have been a good man indeed, if he would be spared the sharp consciousness of many talents neglected, many opportunities wasted, many erratic and perverted feelings constantly at war within his breast, and defeating him. I do not hold one natural gift, I dare say, that I have not abused. My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest. I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities, and hope to gain its end. There is no such things as such fulfillment on this earth. Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, and sincere earnestness. Never to put one hand to anything, on which I could throw my whole self; and never to affect depreciation of my work, whatever it was; I find, now, to have been my golden rules." -David Copperfield, page 559

"There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose." -Mrs. Strong, page 610

". . . I should be thankful to him for having saved me from the first mistaken impulse of my undisciplined heart." -Mrs. Strong, page 611

"It's very much to be wished that some mothers would leave their daughters alone after marriage, and not be so violently affectionate. They seem to think the only return that can be made them for bringing an unfortunate young woman into the world - God bless my soul, as if she asked to be brought, or wanted to come! - is full liberty to worry her out of it again." -Betsey Trotwood, page 613

"Of all my books I like this the best. It will be easily believed that I am a fond parent to every child of my fancy, and that no one can ever love that family as dearly as I love them. But, like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield." -Charles Dickens

---

David Copperfield Cast of Characters

A nearly exhaustive list, probably of interest to not many but me.

1. David Copperfield - title character, also called "Trot " or "Trotwood" by his Aunt Betsey, Mr. Dick and some of his friends, "Daisy" by Steerforth, and "Doady" by his wife Dora.
   
2. Clara Copperfield - David's young unfortunate mother.
   
3. David Copperfield Sr. - David's father who died before he was born.
   
4. Betsey Copperfield - David's fictional sister, kept alive by his Aunt Betsey.
   
5. Pegotty - David's "nurse" or nanny from childhood.
   
6. Betsey Trotwood - David's aunt and guardian.
   
7. Mr. Chillip - David's childhood doctor.
   
8. Mr. Murdstone - David's wicked stepfather.
   
9. Miss Murdstone - Mr. Murdstone's cruel sister.
   
10. Mr. Barkis - the town carrier and eventual husband to Pegotty.
    
11. Mr. Dan Pegotty - Pegotty's brother, uncle/guardian to Ham and Emily.
    
12. Ham Pegotty - Emily's noble, betrayed fiance.
    
13. Emily Pegotty - Ham's cousin, David's first childhood crush.
    
14. Mrs. Gummidge - Mr. Pegotty's "lone and lorn" housekeeper.
    
15. Mr. Omer - the town undertaker in David's hometown.
    
16. Mr. Joram - Mr. Omer's son.
    
17. James Steerforth - David's popular but deceptive schoolmate.
    
18. Mrs. Steerforth - Steerforth's wealthy mother.
    
19. Rosa Dartle - Mrs. Steerforth's tenant, victim of Steerforth's cruelty.
    
20. Littimer - Steerforth's butler.
    
21. Traddles - David's childhood schoolmate and adult friend.
    
22. Sophy Traddles - Traddles' wife.
    
23. Mr. Wilkins Micawber - David's inept but well-meaning friend.
    
24. Mrs. Emma Micawber - Mr. Wilkins' wife.
    
25. Mr. Wickfield - town attorney, provided room/board for David.
    
26. Agnes Wickfield - Mr. Wickfield's daughter and David's best friend.
    
27. Uriah Heep - Mr. Wickfield's 'umble employee/business partner.
    
28. Mrs. Heep - Uriah's equally spineless mother.
    
29. Mrs. Crupp - David's London landlord.
    
30. Mr. Francis Spenlow - David's employer at court and Dora's father.
    
31. Dora Spenlow - David's "child-wife" bride.
    
32. Jip - Dora's annoying little dog.
    
33. Julia Mills - Dora's bosom friend.
    
34. Mr. Jorkins - Mr. Spenlow's silent business partner.
    
35. Miss Clarissa Spenlow - Mr. Spenlow's sister, Dora's guardian.
    
36. Miss Lavina Spenlow - Mr. Spenlow's sister, Dora's guardian.
    
37. Old Creakle - Traddles' tormenting schoolmaster.
    
38. Miss Mowcher - a wise dwarf, introduced to David by Steerforth.
    
39. Mr. Dick - Betsey Trotwood's mentally-challenged but insightful tenant.
    
40. Doctor Strong - David's schoolmaster, would-be author of the Dictionary.
    
41. Mrs. Strong - Doctor Strong's young wife.
    
42. Mrs. Markleham - Mrs. Strong's overbearing mother.
    
43. Jack Maldon - Mrs. Strong's cousin and would-be suitor.
    
44. Martha - a servant girl who helps Emily run away with Steerforth
    

---

Oliver Twist Review

---

Oliver Twist Memorable Quotes

1. "The fact is, that there was considerable difficulty in inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of respiration, -- a troublesome practice, but one which custom has rendered necessary to our easy existence." -page 1
   
2. "But, none of these taunts producing the desired effect of making Oliver cry, Noah attempted to be more facetious still; and in this attempt, did what many small wits, with far greater reputations than Noah, sometimes do to this day, when they want to be funny. He got rather personal." -page 51
   
3. "'Oh, you know, Mr. Bumble, he [Oliver] must be mad,' said Mrs. Sowerberry. 'No boy in half his senses could venture to speak so to you.'
   'It's not Madness, ma'am,' replied Mr. Bumble, after a few moments of deep meditation. 'It's Meat.'
   'What?' exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry.
   'Meat, ma'am, meat,' replied Bumble, with stern emphasis. 'You've over-fed him, ma'am. You've raised a artificial soul and spirit in him, ma'am, unbecoming a person of his condition: as the board, Mrs. Sowerberry, who are practical philosophers, will tell you. What have paupers to do with soul or spirit? It's quite enough that we let 'em have live bodies. If you had kept the boy on gruel, ma'am, this would never have happened.'
   'Dear, dear!' ejaculated Mrs. Sowerberry, piously raising her eyes to the kitchen ceiling: 'this comes of being liberal!'
   The liberality of Mrs. Sowerberry to Oliver, had consisted in a profuse bestowal upon him of all the dirty odds and ends which nobody else would eat; so there was a great deal of meekness and self-devotion in her voluntarily remaining under Mr. Bumble's heavy accusation. Of which, to do her justice, she was wholly innocent, in thought, word, or deed." -page 58
   
4. "There is a drowsy state, between sleeping and waking, when you dream more in five minutes with your eyes half open, and yourself half conscious of everything that is passing around you, than you would in five nights with your eyes fast closed, and your senses wrapt in perfect unconsciousness. At such times, a mortal knows just enough of what his mind is doing, to form some glimmering conception of its might powers, its bounding from earth and spurning time and space, when freed from the restraint of its corporeal associate." -page 72
   
5. "If he [Mr. Fang, a police magistrate] were really not in the habit of drinking rather more than was exactly good for him, he might have brought an action against his countenance for libel, and have recovered heavy damages." -page 88
   
6. "Thus, to do a great right, you may do a little wrong; and you may take any means which the end to be attained will justify; the amount of the right, or the amount of the wrong, or indeed the distinction between the two, being left entirely to the philosopher concerrned, to be settled and determined by his clear, comprehensive, and impartial view of this own particular case." -page 103, written as a sarcastic commentary on the behavior of Jack Dawkins and Charley Bates.
   
7. "The persons on whom I [Mr. Brownlow] have bestowed my dearest love, lie deep in their graves; but, although the happiness and delight of my life lie buried there too, I have not made a coffin of my heart, and sealed it up, for ever, on my best affection. Deep affliction has but strengthened and refined them." -page 119
   
8. "There must always be two parties to a quarrel, says the old adage. Mr. Sikes, being desappointed of the dog's participation, at once transferred his hsare in the quarrel to the new-comer [Fagin]." -page 129
   
9. "There is something about a roused woman: especially if she add to all her other strong passions, the fierce impulses and recklessness and despair: which few men like to provoke." -page 143
   
10. "'He's [Bull's Eye, Bill Sikes' dog] an out-and-out Christian,' said Charley [Bates].
    This was merely intended as a tribute to the animal's abilities, but it was an appropriate remark in another sense, if Master Bates had only known; for there are a good many ladies and gentlemen, claiming to be out-and-out Christians, between whom, and Mr. Sikes's dog, there exist strong and singular points of resemblance." -page 162
    
11. "In short, the wily old Jew [Fagin] had the boy [Oliver] in his toils. Having prepared his mind, by solitude and gloom, to prefer any society to the companionship of his own sad thoughts in such a dreary place, he was now slowly intilling into his soul the poison which he hoped would blacken it, and change its hue for ever." -page 167
    
12. "'That's it!" observed Mr. Sikes, approvingly; 'women can always put things in fewest words. --Except when it's blowing up' and then they lenghtens it out.'" -page 186
    
13. "The younger lady was in the lovely bloom and springtime of womanhood; at that age, when, if ever angels be for God's good purposes entrhoned in mortal forms, they may be, without impiety, supposed to abide in such as hers." -speaking of Rose Maylie, page 260.
    
14. "Thus, a strain of gentle music, or the rippling of water in a silent place, or the ordour of a flower, or the mention of a familiar word, will sometimes call up sudden dim remembrances of scenes that never were, in this life; which vanish like a breath; which some brief memory of a happier existence, long gone by, would seem to have awakened; which no voluntary exertion of the mind can ever recall." -page 264
    
15. "Oh! if when we oppress and grind our fellow-creatures, we bestowed but one thought on the dark evidences of human error, which, like dense and heavy coulds, were rising, slowly it is true, but not less surely, to Heaven, to pour their after-vengeance on our heads; if we heard but one instant in imagination, the deep testimony of dead men's voices, which no power can stifle, and no pride shut out; where would the the inujry and injustice, the suffereing, misery, curelty, and wrong, that each day's life brings with it!" -page 268
    
16. "We need to be careful how we deal wth those about us, when every death carries to some small circle of survivors, thoughts of so much omitted, and so little done - of so many things forgotten, and so many more which might have been repaired! There is no remorse so deep as that which is unavailing; if we would be spared its tortures, let us remember this, in time." -page 303
    
17. "But, tears were not the things to find their way to Mr. Bumble's soul; his heart was waterproof. Like washable beaver hats that improve with rain, his nerves were rendered stouter and more vigorous, by showeres of tears, which, being tokens of weakness, and so far tacit admissions of his own power, pleased and exalted him." -page 331
    
18. "He [Mr. Bumble] had a decided propensity for bullying; derived no inconsiderable pleasure from the exercise of petty cruelty; and, consequently, was (it is needless to say) a coward. This is by no means a disparagement to his character; for many official personages, who are held in hight respect and admiration, are the victims of similar infirmities. The remark is made, indeed, rather in his favour than otherwise, and with a view of impressing the reader with a just sense of his qualifications for office." -page 333
    
19. "Mr Sikes [lacked] the niceties of discrimination, and [was] troubled with no more subtle misgivings than those which resolve themselves into a dogged roughness of behaviour towards everybody." -page 364
    
20. "'When ladies as young, and good, and beautiful as you are,' replied the girl [Nancy] steadily, 'give away your hearts, love will carry you all lengths - even such as you, who have home, friends, other admirers, everything, to fill them. When such as I, who have no certain roof but the coffin-lid, and no friend in sickness or death but the hospital nurse, set our rotten hearts on any man, and let him fill the place that has been a blank through all our wretched lives, who can hope to cure us? Pity us, lady - pity us for having only one feeling of the woman left, and for having that turned, by heavy judgment, from a comfort and a pride, into a new means of violence and suffering.'" -spoken to Rose Maylie, page 376.
    
21. "'Do not heed my friend, Miss Maylie,' said Mr. Brownlow; 'he [Mr. Grimwig] does not mean what he says.'
    'Yes, he does,' growled Mr. Grimwig.
    'No, he does not,' said Mr. Brownlow, obviously rising in wrath as he spoke.
    'He'll eat his head, if he doesn't,' growled Mr. Grimwig.
    'He would deserve to have it knocked off, if he does,' said Mr. Brownlow.
    'And he'd uncommonly like to see any man offer to do it,' responded Mr. Grimwig, knocking his stick upon the floor.
    Having gone thus far, the two old gentlemen severally took snuff, and afterwards shook hands, according to their invariable custom." -page 382
    
22. "'Then what the devil is to be done?' said the impetuous doctor [Mr. Losberne], when they had rejoined the two ladies. 'Are we to pass a vote of thanks to all these vagabonds, male and female, and beg them to accept a hundred pounds, or so apiece, as a trifiling mark of our esteem, and some slight acknowledgement of their kindness to Oliver?'" -please don't miss the saracasm, page 385.
    
23. "I [Mr. Brownlow] make this request with good reason, for I might otherwise excite hopes destined never teo be realised, and only increase difficulties and disappointments already quite numerous enough." -page 388
    
24. "The heavy bell of St. Paul's tolled for the death of another day. Midnight had come upon the crowded city. The palace, the night-cellar, the jail, the madhouse: the chambers of birth and death, of health and sickness, the rigid face of the corpse and the calm sleep of the child: midnight was upon them all." -page 427
    
25. "The sun - the bright sun, that brings back, not light alone, but new life, and hope, and freshness to man - burst upon the crowded city in clear and radiant glory. Through costly-coloured glass and paper-mended window, through cathedral dome and rotten crevice, it shed its equal ray." -page 445
    
26. "It is a world of disappointment; often to the hopes we most cherish, and hopes that do our nature the greatest honour." -page 496
    
27. "How the two orphans, tried by adversity, remembered its lessons in mercy to others, and mutual love, and fervent thanks to Him who had protected and preserved them - these are all matters which need not to be told. I [the narrator] have said that they were truly happy; and without strong affection and humanity of heart, and gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy, and whose great attribute is Benevolence to all things that breathe, happiness can never be attained." -page 511

---

Oliver Twist Cast of Characters

1. Oliver Twist, Work'us, Nolly, Ned, Tom White
   
2. Mrs. Mann
   
3. Mr. Bumble
   
4. Mr. Limbkins
   
5. Mr. Gamfield
   
6. Mr. Sowerberry
   
7. Charlotte, Mrs. Bolter
   
8. Noah Claypole, Morris Bolter
   
9. Trip
   
10. Jack Dawkins, The Artful Dodger
    
11. Dick
    
12. Fagin, The Merry Old Gentleman
    
13. Charley Bates
    
14. Bet
    
15. Nancy
    
16. Mr. Losberne
    
17. Mr. Brittles
    
18. Mr. Giles
    
19. Jack Ketch
    
20. Mr. Monks, Edward Leeford
    
21. Phil Barker
    
22. Mr. Lively
    
23. Old Sally Thingummy
    
24. Mr. Grannett
    
25. Mrs. Corney
    
26. Mr. Toby Crackit
    
27. Tom Chitling
    
28. Bull's Eye
    
29. Barney
    
30. Mr. Grinwig
    
31. Bill Sikes
    
32. Mrs. Bedwin
    
33. Mr. Brownlow
    
34. Mr. Fang
    
35. Rose Maylie
    
36. Mrs. Maylie
    
37. Harry Maylie
    
38. Mr. Conkey Chickweed
    
39. Jem Spyer
    
40. Mr. Duff
    
41. Mr. Blathers
    
42. Kags
    
43. Agnes Fleming

---

Lonely Planet: Korea recommended reads

guides



1. Berlitz: Korean for Travelers
   
2. In Introductory Course in Korean by Fred Lukoff
   
3. Korea's Golden Age by Edward B. Adams
   
4. Korean Guide: A Glimpse of Korea's Cultural Legacy by Edward B. Adams
   
5. Lonely Planet: Korean Phrasebook

history/politics



1. Korean Old and New: A History from the Korea Institute at Harvard University
   
2. Korea: Tradition and Transformation by Andrew C. Nahm
   
3. The Comfort Women
   
4. True Stories of the Korean Comfort Women by Keith Howard
   
5. The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History by Don Oberdorfer
   
6. Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History by Bruce Cummings
   
7. The Abacus and the Sword: the Japanese Penetration of Korea by Peter Duus
   
8. The Confucian Transformation of Korea by Martina Deuchler
   
9. Confucian Gentlemen and Barbarian Envoys by Martina Deuchler
   
10. Korea's Golden Age by Edward B. Adams (recommended read before visiting Gyeongju, Korea's living museum

travel



1. To Dream of Pigs by Clive Leatherdale
   
2. Korea and her Neighbors by Isabella Lucy Bird Bishop

business



1. Troubled Tiger: Business Men, bureaucrats, and Generals in South Korea by Mark Clifford
   
2. The Chaebol by Steers, Shin, and Ungson
   
3. Korean Dynasty: Hyundai and Chung Ju Yung by Donald Kirk