Author Of The Day: Charles Dickens

Author Of The Day: Charles Dickens- He is one of the few authors who influenced English literature tremendously. Dickens was a voice of the Victorians and an author who could narrate stories and make biting comments about society. His novels made real the plight of the common people in 19th-century Britain, and they make the readers memorable characters and dramatic story lines.

Dickens established an incredible literary career using novels, journalism, essays, and readings to the people of the world. His works to date are still influential in literature, theatre, television, and cinema. Not just tales, but what Dickens wrote did put its tentative finger on the realities, feelings and life experiences of the society in a manner that can and will be recalled even by the present readers.

Who Was Charles Dickens?

Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English journalist, editor, social critic, and novelist, who was raised to be one of the most influential writers in the 19 th century. His narratives tended to mirror the ugliness of these times in Victoria, especially the plight of the poor and labouring classes.

Dickens was appreciated because he managed to create bright characters and captivating stories with humour, emotion, and sound social commentary. They were very popular in his days and his books are nowadays regarded as the classical works of world literature.

Early Life and Childhood

John Dickens and Elizabeth Dickens had Charles Dickens on 7 February 1812 in Portsmouth, England. He was the second-born in a family of eight.

Throughout his childhood, the Dickens family regularly changed their residence until finally, the family settled in London, which would become the setting of many of his novels.

Nevertheless, the childhood of Dickens was not that comfortable. At the age of 12 years, his father had been sent to Marshalsea Debtors' prison due to indebtedness. This compelled the young Dickens to quit the school and move to a shoe-blacking factory where he made labels on bottles so as to assist his family.

The incident produced a very powerful emotional effect on him. These young experiences incorporated in a very great way the themes of poverty, injustice and social inequality that run through his novels.

Career in Journalism and Writing

After his father received a small inheritance and was released from prison, Dickens was able to return to school for a small period of time.

By the age of 15, he began working as a clerk in a solicitor’s office, gaining exposure to the legal world that later appeared in several of his stories.

Soon afterwards, Dickens learned shorthand and became a court reporter. His career then expanded into parliamentary journalism, where he reported on political debates and public affairs.

In 1833, Dickens began publishing short stories and descriptive sketches under the pen name “Boz.” These writings were later collected in Sketches by Boz, which helped establish him as a promising new writer.

Rise to Literary Fame

Dickens’ breakthrough arrived with The Pickwick Papers, which was published in monthly instalments. The story quickly became a sensation among readers and turned Dickens into one of the most recognised authors in England.

He followed this success with Oliver Twist, a powerful novel that exposed the harsh conditions faced by poor children in Victorian society. The book further strengthened his reputation as both a storyteller and a social critic.

Famous Novels by Charles Dickens

Throughout his career, Dickens wrote several novels that remain essential reading in English literature. Some of his most famous works include:

• Oliver Twist

• Nicholas Nickleby

• David Copperfield

• A Tale of Two Cities

• Great Expectations

• Hard Times

• Bleak House

• A Christmas Carol

These works are known for their memorable characters, emotional depth, and powerful social themes.

Dickens and Christmas Literature

Dickens also played a major role in shaping modern Christmas traditions through literature. His well-known novella A Christmas Carol narrates the story of a miserable man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who comes to know the importance of generosity and kindness.

The novel became one of the most popular works of Dickens that remained influential in the depiction of Christmas in literature, movies, and in Christmas traditions worldwide.

Later Years and Death

During the lifespan of his career, Dickens authored 15 major novels, as well as a host of essays, short stories and journalistic articles. He also toured extensively and dramatised his works in open readings, which were attended by huge masses.

Charles Dickens passed away in 1870 at the age of 58 after he had a stroke in his place of residence, Gad's Hill in Kent.

Though he desired to be buried in Rochester in a humble burial, the nation decided to celebrate him with a tomb in the Poet Corner at Westminster Abbey, where he was honoured among thousands of mourners who paid tribute to one of the greatest writers in Britain.

Legacy

Charles Dickens was one of the most prominent figures in English literature, even over 100 years after his death. His novels revealed social injustice and created a discussion of poverty, education, labour condition and inequality.

Dickensian is used to this day to refer to inhuman social situations just like the ones described in his books. Dickens is still heard in his stories, which are read, studied, adapted and celebrated all over the world, and this is evidence of the fact that Dickens is still heard by readers even several generations later.