Who is Uriah Heep?
Uriah Heep is one of Charles Dickens’ ultimate villains, appearing in the book David Copperfield where he acts as antagonist, and suitable obstacle to most of David’s plans. He’s memorable for Dickens’ keen descriptions of him: tall and lanky, pale white with pale red hair, and a propensity to constant movement or wiggling. In fact, in modern times, this last feature has suggested to physicians and literary critics alike that Dickens was describing Heep as having a physical disorder, which some suggest was dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes repetitive motion, odd postures and twisting uncontrolled motions.
Uriah Heep is one of Charles Dickens’ ultimate villains, appearing in the book David Copperfield where he acts as antagonist, and suitable obstacle to most of David’s plans. He’s memorable for Dickens’ keen descriptions of him: tall and lanky, pale white with pale red hair, and a propensity to constant movement or wiggling. In fact, in modern times, this last feature has suggested to physicians and literary critics alike that Dickens was describing Heep as having a physical disorder, which some suggest was dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes repetitive motion, odd postures and twisting uncontrolled motions. It should not be assumed that Dickens was attempting to defame people with illnesses by giving Uriah Heep a medical disorder. People should recall the book also contains the admirable Miss Mowcher, who has dwarfism and ultimately displays a true heart and good purpose. Other characters in Dickens’ novels with physical disorders are excellent folk rather than being as villa
