Charles Dickens Biography and Works

Charles Dickens was an English writer known for his novels that focused on the lives of the lower classes and social issues. He used vivid descriptions, satire, and memorable characters to create stories that entertained and challenged readers. Dickens's work also aimed to educate the wealthy about the struggles of the poor and promote social justice.

Dickens's characters often represent specific social groups or attitudes. He exaggerated their traits to highlight their flaws and create humor. For example, Mr. Pickwick is a lovable but eccentric gentleman, while Scrooge represents greed and selfishness.

Dickens's novels often feature children as central characters. They are often portrayed as innocent and virtuous, highlighting the moral failings of adults. This was a common theme in Victorian literature, where children were seen as symbols of hope and purity.

Dickens aimed to educate the wealthy about the struggles of the poor without advocating for violent revolution. He used his writing to expose social injustices and inspire empathy for the less fortunate.

Dickens's writing style is characterized by vivid language, detailed descriptions, and a blend of humor and pathos. He employed techniques like repetition, juxtaposition, hyperbole, and irony to create engaging and memorable stories.

Dickens's novels often draw inspiration from various sources, including the Bible, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and 18th-century literature. This blending of elements helped create a unique and engaging narrative style.

London is a central setting in many of Dickens's novels. He used the city's diverse characters and social problems to explore themes of poverty, crime, and social inequality.

"Hard Times" is a novel by Charles Dickens that critiques the oppressive nature of industrial society. It explores the negative consequences of prioritizing facts and logic over imagination and empathy. The story takes place in an imaginary industrial town called Coketown.

A rigid, materialistic educational philosophy that emphasizes facts and neglects imagination and emotions, as represented by Mr. Gradgrind in the novel.

This system is characterized by an oppressive environment, monotonous routines, and a lack of beauty or individuality in all aspects of life.

The school in Coketown, named ironically for its ability to stifle creative expression and individual development.

A philosophy that believes only in measurable facts and ignores human emotions and creative expression.

The concept of 'object lessons' in education aims to teach by showing practical examples to illustrate the importance of facts. Dickens criticizes this approach, believing that it fails to foster imagination, creativity, and a broader understanding of human values.

The novel depicts a town where the industrial revolution has created a dark, monotonous, and almost apocalyptic environment.

A major character in the novel who represents the dangers of blindly following a rigid educational system.

The oppressive atmosphere of the industrial town affects not only the workers but also the upper classes.

The novel criticizes the exploitation of workers in the industrial revolution, showing how they are trapped in monotonous routines and poor living conditions.

A marriage driven by ulterior motives, without love or mutual understanding, highlighting the consequences of a Utilitarian approach to life.

A character who embodies greed, selfishness, and the negative consequences of a materialistic education.

The narrator is a distinct voice, offering commentary, irony, and criticism of the characters and society.

The novel highlights the importance of imagination, creativity, and emotional intelligence within a society focused on practicality.

A movement that emphasizes beauty and artistic expression for its own sake, separating it from utilitarian purposes.

The novel uses its characters and settings to comment on the social realities and problems of 19th-century England.

A literary movement emphasizing the beauty and significance of art for its own sake, rejecting moral or social messages.

An aristocratic figure, often known for exemplary fashion and manners, representing spiritual superiority and individualism.

A play by Oscar Wilde, known for its witty dialogue and satire on Victorian society and social conventions.

A novel by Oscar Wilde that explores themes of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of hedonism.

Oscar Wilde's novel that tells the story of Dorian Gray, a young man whose portrait reflects the consequences of his pursuit of pleasure.

The protagonist of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', a handsome young man whose beauty fascinates a painter.

The artist who paints Dorian Gray's portrait, initially captivated by his innocence but later haunted by the portrait's transformation.

A witty and cynical intellectual who influences Dorian Gray, encouraging him to embrace hedonism and disregard societal norms.

The story is told from an external, objective perspective, providing insight into the characters' thoughts and feelings.

The novel's setting is London in the late 19th century, a period of social change and intellectual ferment.

The painter's studio, where Basil creates Dorian Gray's portrait. It's a place of artistic inspiration but also tension and introspection.

Whitman's life and works were shaped by his early experiences as a working-class man, his journey across America, and his own self-education.

Whitman's first collection of poems, 'Leaves of Grass,' explores his personal development as a poet and his connection to the American landscape.

Whitman's writings often celebrate individuality, democracy, and the natural world.

Whitman's poetic style is characterized by its free verse form, long lines, and conversational tone.

Walt Whitman's most famous collection of poetry that went through multiple editions and was continually revised, incorporating new poems and showcasing his evolving artistic vision.

Walt Whitman's use of free verse, rejecting traditional rhyme and meter, allowing for a more natural and fluid expression of thought and emotion.

Walt Whitman's belief that nature is not just a spiritual refuge but a powerful force with which humans are deeply connected, both physically and mystically.

Walt Whitman's belief in the inherent goodness of humanity, the strength of democracy, and the celebration of individual self-expression.

A poem written by Walt Whitman in response to the assassination of President Lincoln, expressing grief and honoring Lincoln's legacy as a symbol of American democracy.

Emily Dickinson's poetic style, characterized by short poems, unconventional rhyme schemes, dashes, and a focus on internal rhyme and alliteration.

Emily Dickinson's use of nature as a trigger for philosophical reflection and a way to explore abstract themes, such as death, love, and time.

Emily Dickinson's exploration of the complexities of death, viewing it as both a source of fear and a liberation from the burdens of life.

Emily Dickinson's portrayal of love through a range of emotions, from ecstatic joy to profound despair, often linked to the idea of spiritual connection.

Emily Dickinson's enduring hope, a symbol of resilience and inner strength that persists even in the face of adversity.

The tendency in Whitman's poetry to use lists, repetition, and fragments to create a sense of fullness, movement, and a vastness of experience.

Whitman's use of everyday language, scientific terms, and dialect, creating a more realistic and inclusive voice for his poetry.

Whitman's celebration of the common man and woman, highlighting their dignity, resilience, and individual worth.

Whitman's belief in the unity of body and soul, recognizing the importance of physical experience and passion in human life.

Whitman's use of vivid imagery and sensory details to evoke a feeling of presence and immediacy in his poems.