Charles Dickens

Life

Middle class family. His father was sent to  prison because he couldn’t pay his debts. Age of 12: Charles Dickens stopped school and worked in a blacking factory. Brought up by his mother and aunt: great influence on him.
Unhappy childhood: he experienced poverty-hardships.
His vocation: when he discovered his gifts as a writer, he began writing for a newspaper and became a reporter. He adopted the pen-name of BOZ.
Pickwick papers – A collection of stories he issued in newspapers in instalments (a puntate). They’re about London people, city life, everyday experiences. They revealed his satirical qualities and were successful.
His novels: encouraged by his success he wrote his novels, most of them centred on children and on one character. Masterpiece: David Copperfield
Other works: Oliver Twist, Hard Times, Little Dorit, Christmas Carols, Great expectations.

Features of his novels

Irony: he was ironical but he wasn’t bitter and sarcastic. He ridiculed, presented caricatures, exaggerating some qualities, and made his reader laugh. He was good at the characterization of his novels.
Pathos: his characters are funny, but also sentimental.
Happy ending: reflect his optimism
His position to the Victorian society: he was critical to  this society. He denounced the social evils of his times in an indirect way. He never took a position and never questioned the values of the Victorian society. He distanced himself, without distorting reality.

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