Charles Dickens English writer 1812-1870

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Social Critic Dickens wrote during the Industrial Revolution, so his stories brought out concerns with injustices in the justice system (and capital punishment) child labor poor houses boys’ boarding schools the lack of education for women alcoholism the effects of poverty

Writing Career Considered the greatest English novelist of the Victorian era Never out of print Immensely popular during his time Wrote his books in serials (newspapers). Episodic plots constructed on a cliff-hanger model.

Most Famous Works Oliver Twist David Copperfield A Christmas Carol A Tale of Two Cities Great Expectations The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Dickensian [adj.] 1. of Charles Dickens (1812-70), the English novelist, or his works 2. resembling or suggestive of conditions described in Dickens' novels, especially a.  squalid and poverty-stricken: working conditions were truly Dickensian b.  characterized by jollity and conviviality: a Dickensian scene round the Christmas tree 3. grotesquely comic, as some of the characters of Dickens

Sentimental “Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”  Great Expectations

Grotesque “On Sundays the little church in the park is mouldy; the oaken pulpit breaks out into a cold sweat; and there is a general smell and taste as of the ancient Dedlocks in their graves.” -Bleak House

Characters Rich characters, often with odd names that might reveal something about the characters, such as Ebenezer Scrooge (left).

Characters “A very old man in a flannel coat; clean, cheerful, comfortable and well cared for, but intensely deaf.” Great Expectations “The Aged Parent” (or “Aged P” or “the Aged One”):

Characters Mr. Pumblechook: “a large hardbreathing middle-aged slow man, with a mouth like a fish, dull staring eyes, and sandy hair standing upright on his head, so that he looked as if he had just been all but choked, and had that moment come to” Great Expectations

Characters Miss Havisham and Pip

Characters Mr. Murdstone

Characters “My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and eyes, had such a prevailing redness of skin that I sometimes used to wonder whether it was possible she washed herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of soap.” Great Expectations