Charles Dickens
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Throughout Charles Dickens novels it has become apparent that his works most noticeably focus on class structure, poverty, and the treatment of the especially underprivileged. One could only believe that Dickens wrote about this during one of the most frivolous changes in England, the industrial revolution. England was going through a tough time adjusting from old agricultural and industrial methods to newer methods that included the child labor force, and an influx of unemployment. For the most part the rich got richer during this period. In London, England class structure was right in front of ones eyes. “London was the largest, most spectacular city in the world. While Britain was experiencing the Industrial Revolution, its capital was both reaping the benefits and suffering the consequences”( FNpg1). In London the poor were forced to live with the Rich right in front of there eyes. This brought a lot of filth to London as the economy switched from skilled to unskilled workers, also including prostitution and beggars which could explain why most of Dickens novels focused on the social class structure.
One would think that the Dickens most famous novel and childrens book Oliver Twist was clearly based off London in the middle 19th century. The theme of poverty is very apparent in a Tale of Two Cities. “Although the novel dedicates much time to describing the atrocities committed both by the aristocracy and by the outraged peasants, it ultimately expresses the belief that this violence will give way to a new and better society.”
The class structure Dickens had been compiled of two elements; the rich and the poor. One of Dickens Key Characters portrayed in this was Oliver Twist. Twist was an orphan born into poverty. Twist was also shown the division of London at a young age. Twist was taught to become a “pick-pocket” which was a person that would discretely steal from people that looked wealthy and had a bulging wallet in there pants. This was a struggle for Twist in his struggle to survive. The Wealthy in Dickens works was equally portrayed. I will use Mr. Lousberne and Mr. Bumble (characters used in Oliver Twist). “Dickens mercilessly satirizes his self-righteousness, greed, hypocrisy, and folly, of which his name is an obvious symbol. ” (spk2). Mr. Lousberne however in my mind is Mrs. Maylies family physician. A hot-tempered but good-hearted old bachelor, is fiercely loyal to the Maylies and, eventually, to Oliver. This is in the end of the book when he realizes that Oliver is a good soul and ultimately comes into his own
Another one of Charles Dickens major themes was the Treatment of the especially underprivileged. In the tale of two cities the character Sidney Carton has ascended to the plane of heroism, becoming a Christ-like figure whose death serves to save the lives of others. His own life thus gains meaning and value. “Moreover, the final pages of the novel suggest that, like Christ, Carton will be resurrected–Carton is reborn in the hearts of those he has died to save”.(pg 120). Failure of Charity is a major theme of Dickens symbolism. In a Tale of Two Cities, it was set in the late 18th century and presented with great vigor and understanding.
Perhaps the largest impact on dickens work was the Industrial Revolution on Dickens work. “Although he is not a factory owner, Mr. Gradgrind evinces the spirit of the Industrial Revolution insofar as he treats people like machines that can be reduced to a number of scientific principles”. That was Thomas Gradgrind from Hard Times.
Dickens always idealized the countryside and what it stood for. The Countryside meant space, it meant an quieter life than that of the London city “Dickenss primary goal in Hard Times is to illustrate the dangers of allowing humans to become like machines, suggesting that without compassion and imagination, life would be unbearable. For the countryside being idealized one could use Hard Times for its ability to show that the human race was moving away from old fashioned times and Dickens longing to get back to the countryside, let us not forget Dickens was born in Portsmith a town in the countryside. Dickens also perceives Oliver Twist as one to get back to the countryside Oliver was born in the country side and throughout the novel he talks of” When I was able to venture outside of London the relief was inseparable from the workhouse and the gruel, and that frightened people”.
London, England a town that was filled with bums, beggars, prostitutes, the stench of raw sewage in the streets, soot from the factories. These common traits of the city of London was what made Dickens cringe he hated the fact that society as a whole was going from organic to mechanical. He thought this and that people were as a whole. Dickens hated moving from the countryside as a little boy so he through that into Oliver Twist, as a side motif. Ultimately, Dickens was a fan of bucolic surroundings.
A common theme in any society is the treatment between the Elite Aristocrats and the poor poverty-stricken classes. In Dickens first Christmas Book he emphasizes the importance of sharing of the wealth. Dickens struck me a some what of a communism but all that changed with the introduction of Ebenezer Scourge. The story of A Christmas Carol begins on Christmas Eve, with Scrooge at his place of business. The book does not specifically state what business he is in, though it is usually assumed