The doctor seemed especially troubled by the fact of the robbery having been unexpected, and attempted in the night-time; as if it were the established custom of gentlemen in the housebreaking way to transact business at noon, and to make an appointment, by the twopenny post, a day or two previous.
Interpretation
The quote humorously highlights the absurdity of a robbery happening unexpectedly at night, suggesting that it should be done with a certain decorum.
In this quote, Charles Dickens uses irony to critique societal norms and expectations. The doctor's troubled reaction to the unexpected nature of the robbery at night emphasizes the ridiculousness of assuming that such a criminal act should adhere to a 'gentlemanly' protocol, like scheduling it during daylight hours through formal means. This exaggeration suggests a deep-seated discomfort with the unpredictability of crime and the chaos it brings to civilized life.
In practice
This quote could be used in a comedic speech about the unexpected twists in life.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
The Christians gave Him Sunday, the Jews gave Him Saturday, and the Muslims gave Him Friday. God has a three-day weekend.
One can never have enough socks
To me Psycho was a big comedy. Had to be.
When you are honest in your comedy, you have to acknowledge the world that you're in. Through a comedic voice, you're talking about what needs to be talked about, whether it's race relations or politics or anything that's happening on a global or an American scale.
Ascot is so exclusive that it is the only racecourse in the world where the horses own the people.
I think a lot of people mistake my confidence on stage for cockiness in real life, and that's actually farthest from the truth. When I'm on stage, I'm that confident and that cocky because I have a microphone in my hand, and there's a few thousand people staring at me. And I know they're there to laugh.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.