Charles Dickens 1812-1870

Family Life Mother – Elizabeth Barrow Father – John Dickens Cheerful, somewhat practical Father – John Dickens talkative, ineffective, dramatic, and “highly skilled at amassing debts. “ a Naval clerk Financially comfortable and then destitute Parents were sent to a Debtors Prison Charles was 12 years old

Dickens’ early years Family imprisoned for debt Young Charles forced to work in shoe factory Warrens Blacking Factory Mostly self-educated In 1827, he took a job as a legal clerk He then worked as a reporter in courts and in Parliament

Married Life and Family Catherine Hogarth: not a happy woman 9 or 10 children Spent much of his time in London Not a good family man Settled down to comfortable, married, middle class life

Early Writing Career He wrote short humorous sketches with pictures by Boz which became known as Pickwick Papers Became famous in a short period of time and wildly popular among devoted readers awaiting his next installment Gave numerous public readings for money, worldwide

Success as a Novelist Nickolas Nickleby1839 Oliver Twist 1839 The Old Curiosity Shop 1841 Barnaby Rudge 1841 Martin Chuzzlewitt 1843 Dombey and Son 1849 David Copperfield 1850 Bleak House 1853 Hard Times 1854 Little Dorritt 1857 A Tale of Two Cities 1859 Great Expectations 1861

Major Themes in Dickens’ fiction Many autobiographical links between life and writings of Dickens Loneliness of childhood Oppression of poverty Uncertainty of love and marriage Indifference of social institutions Sustaining joy of family life

Themes (cont.) Docks (referring to people being put on trial) Aristocracy- wealth, rich, land and power Child labor Family life Lost love and unattainable women Perseverance and sacrifice in face of untold hardships and injustice

Most famous successful work A Christmas Carol 1843 Enduring holiday favorite Amusing elements of supernatural, melodrama (turmoil in real life), humor, and pathos (quality that arouses feelings of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow ) Extremely optimistic tale of redemption for Ebeneezer Scrooge, typical miser Remains a sentimental classic

Twilight of Dickens’Career Dickens died suddenly from a stroke in June, 1870 His death was mourned by thousands when he was buried at Westminster Abbey five days after his death

The Victorian Period Queen Victoria 1819-1901 At the age of 18 Victoria inherited the throne, she reigned for 64 years “The sun never sets on the Queen’s empire” the power and influence of Britain around the world She died a lonely ruler

The Industrial Revolution Villagers moved to the cities = factories = jobs= smoke= pollution = backbreaking labor= death luxury side by side with poverty “It was the best of time; it was the worst of times. Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities

London and the Times

London and the Times

Dickens and Christmas The first Christmas Card, Tree and Holiday Traditions

Dickens legacy and links He remains the foremost 19th century British writer of fiction Amazing and detailed depiction of lifestyle and issues of a transforming industrial and urban landscape Vivid and dramatic dialogue Profession as court reporter enhanced awareness of social inequities http://www.underthesun.cc/Classics/Dickens/ humwww.ucsc.edu/dickens/ http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles