The Unquiet Dead - Outside References

Outside References

There are several literary in-jokes during Dickens and the Doctor's conversation in the coach. The "American bit" in Martin Chuzzlewit which the Doctor thinks is rubbish and "padding" was indeed inserted by Dickens to spice up the original serialized story when sales were disappointing, but did not improve sales by much. The death of Little Nell (from The Old Curiosity Shop), which the Doctor says always "cracks up," is cited (notably by Oscar Wilde in 1895) as an example of excessive sentimentality and purple prose that becomes unintentionally amusing.

Dickens also cries, "What the Shakespeare?", a play on the common exclamation, "What the Dickens?" Contrary to popular belief, the phrase has nothing to do with Charles Dickens; "Dickens" is a euphemism for the Devil as in a minced oath. Riffing on this comment, in the 2006 Big Finish Productions audio drama The Kingmaker, William Shakespeare cries, "What the Chaucer?". Dickens quotes Shakespeare near the end of the episode, saying to Rose, "There are more things in heaven and earth...than are dreamt of in your philosophy." (Hamlet, Act 1, Scene V)