Charles Dickens: The Great Victorian Novelist

Introduction

• Charles Dickens is one of the best-known writers in English literature, next to William Shakespeare.
• Known for long novels with unforgettable characters, such as Ebenezer Scrooge and Oliver Twist.
• His stories depict the ups and downs of life and are widely read today.

Literary Contributions

• Wrote 15 novels, including:
  • David Copperfield
  • Great Expectations
  • Bleak House
  • The Old Curiosity Shop
• Authored numerous short stories, plays, and thousands of letters.
• Known for public readings and lectures in England and the USA.

Early Life and Historical Context

• Born in Portsmouth, England in 1812.
• Significant historical events during his life:
  • Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo when Dickens was 3.
  • First trains started rolling when he was 13.
  • Victoria became Queen of England when he was 25, marking him as a Victorian novelist.

Publishing Style

• Serialized stories in magazines, akin to a modern Netflix series.
• Each episode had cliffhanger endings, building anticipation among readers.
• No modern entertainment options like TV or radio at the time.

Popularity and Themes

• Developed a large fan base; stories were accessible to everyone through public readings.
• Stories include humor, emotion, and diverse human experiences.
• Highlighted social issues like poverty, child labor, and class disparities during the Industrial Revolution.

Personal Experiences and Influences

• Not born into poverty but experienced it due to his father's imprisonment for debt.
• Worked at a boot polish factory at age 12.
• Began as a newspaper reporter and wrote short stories as "Boz," leading to his first book, The Pickwick Papers.

Personal Life

• Married Katherine Hogarth, daughter of his boss, at age 24; they had many children.
• Later fell in love with actress Ellen Ternan; separated from Katherine but couldn't divorce due to his celebrity status.

Later Life and Legacy

• Continued writing and touring, including visits to the USA where he met Edgar Allan Poe.
• Suffered from health issues, had a stroke at 57, and died a year later after another stroke.
• Desired a low-cost burial but was interred in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey.
• Remembered as a sympathizer with the poor and oppressed, leaving a legacy as one of England's greatest writers.

Conclusion

• Charles Dickens remains a celebrated Victorian novelist with enduring works that continue to resonate today.