Jewish Stereotypes

“...this Jew, who was of a highly excitable temperament, performing a jig of anxiety under a lamp-post, and accompanying himself, in a kind of frenzy, with the words, 'O Jaggerth, Jaggerth, Jaggerth! all otherth ith Cag-Maggerth, give me Jaggerth!'” (Page 182)

In literature and other sources of popular culture of this time period, the Jewish community was often depicted as being homely and uneducated. In theater, for instance, Jews frequently portrayed such characters as villains and poverty stricken individuals. Accompanying this picture of evil and impoverishment was the stereotype of Jews having lisps. This stereotype most likely derives from Jews speaking Hebrew. The Hebrew language consists of many throaty sounds which could very possibly be perceived as a type of lisp. Dickens uses this stereotype in many of his works of fiction. In addition to him using it here, he also created Fagin, the fiend-like character of Jewish descent, from Oliver Twist.

"All About Jewish Theatre - European Jewish Theatre: From 1600 to the 20th Century." All About Jewish Theatre - Main Page. Web. 03 Jan. 2010. http://www.jewish-theatre.com/visitor/article_display.aspx?articleID=2632.