Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree: A Nineteen Eighty-Four Timeline
- Thread starter Roberto El Rey
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- 1984 book derivative dystopia orwell
26
Excerpt from The Daily News, 17 May 1901
FURNITURE DEALERSHIP BURNS DOWN IN WHITECHAPEL
by Charles Chesterforth
The Goldstein & Sons Furniture Co., a furniture dealership at 26 East Whitechapel Road* in east London, burned to the ground early Wednesday morning. By the time the fire brigade arrived at approximately three o'clock in the morning, the store had been burning for three-quarters of an hour, and there was little that could be done to salvage it. Fortunately, the fire was stopped from spreading to the nearby buildings and no one was injured or killed, but the building, as well as the merchandise, tools and materials inside, were destroyed, adding up to at least six thousand pounds' worth of lost value. When approached for comment, the proprietor of the business, Mr. Morris Goldstein* of Whitechapel, expressed his intention to file a fire insurance claim to recoup the value of his tragically lost business.
*There really was a Mr. Morris Goldstein in Whitechapel who owned a furniture store at 26 East Whitechapel Rd. in 1901. The name of the store is made up. Any guesses on what one of his sons is named?
FURNITURE DEALERSHIP BURNS DOWN IN WHITECHAPEL
by Charles Chesterforth
The Goldstein & Sons Furniture Co., a furniture dealership at 26 East Whitechapel Road* in east London, burned to the ground early Wednesday morning. By the time the fire brigade arrived at approximately three o'clock in the morning, the store had been burning for three-quarters of an hour, and there was little that could be done to salvage it. Fortunately, the fire was stopped from spreading to the nearby buildings and no one was injured or killed, but the building, as well as the merchandise, tools and materials inside, were destroyed, adding up to at least six thousand pounds' worth of lost value. When approached for comment, the proprietor of the business, Mr. Morris Goldstein* of Whitechapel, expressed his intention to file a fire insurance claim to recoup the value of his tragically lost business.
*There really was a Mr. Morris Goldstein in Whitechapel who owned a furniture store at 26 East Whitechapel Rd. in 1901. The name of the store is made up. Any guesses on what one of his sons is named?
I feel very strongly that I've seen that exact same origin story for Goldstein before.
Really? I wasn't aware. Do you remember where you would have heard it? If so, I want to give it a read. I love any 1984 AH, and if there's any convergence here it's totally accidental, but I'd like to know so I can come up with something original.
I honestly have no idea. It may be a simple case of inexplicable deja vu. Did you hear about the Goldstein furniture thing anywhere else, or was it independent research?
It was independent. I searched up "Emmanuel Goldstein" in the UK census from 1901 and came upon such a person (link here) who was born around the right place and the right time to make a good Goldstein. The census listed this man's father Morris as a "Furniture dealer", and a search through a post office directory from 1899 (link also here-page 307) confirmed that he was the owner. From this I thought of a working backstory for what might push him to socialism at an early stage.
tehskyman
Banned
I'm pretty sure the deja vu is because Images of 1984 used someone fairly similar. Another Jewish furniture maker.
Ah yes, I remember that. Don't worry, this is a different Goldstein with a different backstory. He will most likely become involved with Ozzie Mozz, but not in the same capacity as in Images of 1984.
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Or someone else writing a 1984-inspired TL looked up the old census data for Emmanuel Goldstein? Makes a lot of sense to do that, so I could easily see two authors having the idea independently.
27
Dear Mr. Morris Goldstein,
We have received the claim which you filed on 20 May 1901, pursuant to the structure at 26 Whitechapel Rd. E in London, also known as Goldstein & Sons Furniture Co., which was destroyed by fire on the seventeenth of that month. We have looked into the case in question, and have conducted a thorough investigation into the event. Our investigation has concluded that the building in question was improperly constructed, as it failed to conform to the London Building Act of 1894.
As is clearly stated in the contractual agreement between our two parties, the Emanuel & Browne Marine and Fire Insurance Company does not release payment on claims in which the concerned buildings are not up to code. It is for this reason that we regret to inform you that it is not our prerogative to reimburse you the value of your business, and that your claim has been denied. We sincerely apologise for any inconveniences this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to notify this office via mail.
Yours,
Francis J. Emanuel
27/7/1901
Partner, Emanuel & Browne Marine and Fire Insurance Co.
2 St. Michael's Pl. Cornhill, London EC3V 3PD
We have received the claim which you filed on 20 May 1901, pursuant to the structure at 26 Whitechapel Rd. E in London, also known as Goldstein & Sons Furniture Co., which was destroyed by fire on the seventeenth of that month. We have looked into the case in question, and have conducted a thorough investigation into the event. Our investigation has concluded that the building in question was improperly constructed, as it failed to conform to the London Building Act of 1894.
As is clearly stated in the contractual agreement between our two parties, the Emanuel & Browne Marine and Fire Insurance Company does not release payment on claims in which the concerned buildings are not up to code. It is for this reason that we regret to inform you that it is not our prerogative to reimburse you the value of your business, and that your claim has been denied. We sincerely apologise for any inconveniences this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to notify this office via mail.
Yours,
Francis J. Emanuel
27/7/1901
Partner, Emanuel & Browne Marine and Fire Insurance Co.
2 St. Michael's Pl. Cornhill, London EC3V 3PD
Actually, as will soon be seen, his son is already named Emmanuel.
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It's actually a pretty mundane reason why:
"Emanuel...Emanuel!"
Ten-year-old Emmanuel Goldstein, snug in bed but still wide awake, could just make out his name being called from across the flat. There were plenty of other words but he couldn't hear them all from the other room. Normally, he stayed in bed when his dad made a ruckus, but if his name was being called, they must want a word with him.
He slinked out of bed and tiptoed through the room, so as not to rouse his brothers and sisters. As Emmanuel peered over the corner to the kitchen, he saw that his father was fuming over some piece of paper in his hand. Could it be his school report? No, school had ended for the summer plenty long ago. And even if it were, his marks were perfectly up to snuff--there'd be no reason for his father to go mad over them. In any case, now that he was closer up he could better make out what his father was saying:
"That damned liar Emanuel, I had that warehouse inspected three times and they assured me, every time, that it was perfectly up to code! That dirty thieving dog's just trying to keep our money, plain and simple," said Morris Goldstein to his wife.
They couldn't mean him, thought the boy standing outside the door. They must mean another Emmanuel. But why was his father cross with this other Emanuel fellow? He'd have to listen for longer.
...To be continued.