English Literature of the Victorian Age: Charles Dickens

Introduction to Charles Dickens

• Considered one of the highest expressions of English literature alongside Shakespeare.
• Born in 1812 in Landport, Southern England.
• Originated from a poor family; worked in a factory at 12 to support his family due to his father's imprisonment for debt.
• Experiences of poverty and legal system heavily influenced his writing.

Rise to Fame

• Started as a reporter in the legal field, which informed his detailed depictions of the legal system.
• Gained popularity with "The Pickwick Papers," which had roots in literary traditions like Boccaccio and Chaucer.
• Earned significant wealth, allowing him to travel, marry, and expand his cultural activities.

Major Works

• Wrote 14 novels; notable ones include:
  • Oliver Twist
  • David Copperfield: Considered the most autobiographical.
  • Hard Times: Explores societal issues of the era.
• Famous short story: A Christmas Carol (1843).

Themes and Influences

• Strongly influenced by the picaresque novel genre, originating from 16th-century Spain.
• Common themes:
  • Exploitation of the working class and child labor.
  • Ill treatment in schools and injustices in the penal system.
  • Unsanitary living conditions of the poor; greed and selfishness of the upper-middle class.
  • Overarching message: Good triumphs over evil.

Writing Style and Techniques

• Mixed melodrama with humor and dramatic elements, creating a multifaceted depiction of the Victorian world.
• Known for rich character portrayals:
  • Protagonists often undergo personal and moral growth.
  • Background characters frequently depicted with grotesque, ironic traits.
• Realistic yet manipulated depiction of reality to convey his messages.

Social Commentary

• Critiqued the alienating effects of industrialization on individuals and society.
• Described education in industrial societies as factual, lacking personal interpretation.
• Unlike earlier Romantic poets, Dickens provided a three-dimensional perspective of society without revolutionary intent.
• Advocated for hard work, romantic love, and family life as means to improve social and economic status.

Conclusion

• Dickens' works reflect the socio-economic conditions of Victorian England while holding a belief in upward mobility through personal effort and character.

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