Literature Study: Charles Dickens

I've been wanting to make a deep dive study on the life of Charles Dickens for some time now and after recently completing two of his novels, I felt that time had come. I have long regarded Dickens as one of the greatest authors of all time, and included 7 of his novels in my list of 100 Greatest Works of Literature (more than any other author). To many English he is considered their 2nd greatest author behind only the great playwright Shakespeare. His vast collection of novels and iconic characters have become a great pride of English culture and literature. 

For me the recent inspiration into Victorian England hit a high this fall as I played the game Assassin's Creed Syndicate. At that point I decided to embark on the monster novel, David Copperfield which is said to be a semi-autobiography of Dickens' life. I then recently zipped thru the popular Christmas Carol, a short story that has been adapted more than any other novel. The work of Charles Dicken is the total embodiment of this industrial age in history. His many novels and short stories depict the industrial life of the working class during this period in history and reflect the life that he lived. He created so many memorable characters and included illustrations in his books that made his work all the more popular. 

I remember as a kid being familiar with the work and name of Charles Dickens, with fond memories of A Christmas Carol and the iconic characters of Scrooge, Cratchit, and Tiny Tim. I also remember watching an adaptation of his novel Oliver Twist. I can never forget that iconic scene where the young Oliver asks for a 2nd helping of soup. From these two stories alone I began to understand British culture thanks to these two settings. I remember in my college years becoming familiar with the story of Great Expectations and even more so his historical fiction, A Tale of Two Cities. His work often captures the perspective of an orphan, industrial laborer, rags-to-riches story, seeking solitude in the harsh climate of Industrial England. This common theme in Dicken's writings is what I seek to further understand by studying the biography of his life. 

The Life of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born in 1812 in the coastal city of Portsmouth to a middle class family. He was the 2nd of 8 children, his father was a clerk in the navy. As a young child Charles took a great liking to reading and some of his favorite books included Robinson Crusoe, Gil Blas, and the Arabian Nights. In 1822 however Charles life took a unique turn, when his dad was arrested for owing debt, and he and his family were relocated to the prison house of Marshalsea in London. Het met many memorable characters during this time, that would later go on to inspire many of his famous novels. 

At the age of 12 Charles was forced to work 10 hour days to help support his mother and family. He worked at a shoe polish factory basically placing labels on tin cans. These harsh working conditions, especially for children, would influence many of his novels as well as his involvement in social activism for child labor laws. After his father returned from prison, Charles finished his labor years and was enrolled in the boarding school Wellington House Academy in Camden Town. The headmaster there was extremely cruel and made for another terrible experience for the young Charles. After school he worked briefly as a junior clerk in a law office. All these experiences of his youth are fictionally portrayed in his auto-biographical work of David Copperfield. 

By the age of 20, having experienced a very unique and challenging childhood Charles Dickens was a very confident and ambitious young man. He first set his eyes on a career in theater acting, yet after various failed opportunities he shifted his interest to writing. By 1833 he began submitting his first writings to the London Monthly Magazine and later find work as a journalist. During this time Charles also established a solid network of other writers and influential public figures in London. This exposure and support helped him publish his first major novel, The Pickwick Papers in 1836. He later became the editor of the magazine Bentley's Miscellany for three years. During this time he wrote his 2nd novel and one of his most famous works of Oliver Twist, which was published in 1838.

Charles married Catherine Thomas Hogarth in 1836 and together they had ten children throughout their 20 marriage. They were however later separated in 1858 most likely due to Charles' various love affairs. Nonetheless Charles continued to rise to prominence as an author and by the 1840s his two most popular works of Oliver Twist and the Pickwick Papers were read by Queen Victoria herself. In 1842 had an inspirital visit to the United States, spoke out against slavery, and was inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe and Washington Irving. This visit helped inspire him to write a series of Christmas stories, including his most famous work of A Christmas Carol published in 1842. This popular book  reinvigorated the festive season of Christmas. 

In the mid 1840s David continued to travel more and lived in Italy, Switzerland, and France for some time. He was very fond of French culture and befriended famous Parisian writers of the time including Alexander Dumas and Victor Hugo. During this phase of his career his work began to demonstrate more dramatic themes in his publications of Dombey and Son as well as his famous semi auto-biography of David Copperfield that was published in 1850. In 1851 her returned to live in London and published the famous novels of Bleak House, Hard Times, and Little Dorrit. He also became the managing editor of various journals including All the Year Round. 

In the late 1850s he began to have marital problems with his wife Catherine and engaged in various affairs including one with the 18 year old actress Ellen Ternan. Following his divorce from his wife in 1858 he went on various reading tours throughout the United Kingdom and finished his famous novels of A Tale of Two Cities in 1859 and Great Expectations in 1861. In his final years he survived the Staplehurt Rail Crash of 1865 and made a 2nd visit to America in 1867 meeting with the famed authors Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. As his health began to deteriorate in 1868 he gave a series of farwell readings across the United Kingdom. In 1870 he died of a stroke at the young age of 58.   

The Works of Charles Dickens

• The Pickwick Papers (1837) 
• This was Dicken's first novel that brought him instant fame as an acclaimed author. It is a satirical novel of a gentlemen's club in London known as the Pickwick club. Their founder Samuel Pickwick encourages the other three members to go on unusual adventures outside of London and share them with the club. The story recounts each of their comedic tales as they journey throughout the countryside of England. 
• Oliver Twist (1839)
  
• Dicken's second novel that cemented his arrival as England's most popular author. This is one of many orphan based novels that Dicken's wrote demonstrating his common theme of rags-to-riches story. Oliver Twist is an orphan living thru the harsh conditions of industrial London, and later joins a gang of pickpockets, led by the iconic hobo Fagan and his skilled pickpocket the Artful Dodger. He later is adopted by a well-to-do family and lives a much better life than in the streets of London. This is one of Dicken's most adapted story next to A Christmas Carol, and have fond memories of watching the 1968 musical Oliver!
• Nicholas Nickelby (1839)
• One that I am not so familiar with, however it follows the common Copperfield format of a young working child. Just like with David Copperfield, Nicholas experiences various hardships throughout his youth including the death of his father. He must then work to support his mother and sister. He experiences many adventures and meets many unique characters throughout the story. 
• A Christmas Carol (1843)
• This is Dicken's most well known story and also one of his shortest. It tells the Christmas tale of Ebenezer Scrooge who is known as a cruel man who detests the Christmas season. He is however visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve that make him aware of his terrible attitude. The next morning on Christmas Day, Scrooge sets out to fix his wicked ways and gives money to charity, rewards his employee Bob Cratchitt, and visits his nephew. This novel completely reinvigorated the holiday Christmas season. 
• Dombey and Son (1848)
  
• The book is a homage to the coastal life Hickens experienced in his youth and pertains to the relationship between a father, daughter, and son. The father Paul Dombey is the owner of a prosperous shipyard and hopes his son will take over the family business. His son is however very weak and sick, and instead Mr. Dombey must turn to his daughter to become his heir. The relationship with his daughter is a complicated one, but eventually they find peace before Mr. Dombey dies. 
• David Copperfield (1850)
• This is considered one of Charles Dicken's masterpieces, and also his most personal as the story is considered a semi auto-biography of his life. It once again pertains to a young child enduring hardships in the city of London and the many unique characters he meets along the way. Throughout his struggles, David eventually finds love and happiness multiple times thanks to his unending positive attitude. The story reflects the child hardships that the young Charles Dickens went thru when his father was arrested, also the cruel boarding school he went to, his brief stint as a law clerk, and finally his true passion for writing. 
• Bleak House (1853)
  
• This novel is a satirical comedy of a legal case known as the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. The story is yet again narrated from the perspective of an orphan, her name being Esther Summerson. She works as the governess for the wealthy Jarndyce who are undergoing a legal inheritance dispute. The book was so popular during the Victorian Age, that it later led to a legal reform in the 1870s to how judicial court matters were conducted.  
• Hard Times (1854)
• One of Dicken's shortest novels it was written to demonstrate the cruel harsh working conditions of industrial England. It is set in a fictitious town of Coketown that is quite reminiscent of industrial Manchester. Mr. Gradgrind is a cold business man, a fierce advocate of Utilitarianism, he is driven by efficiency and profitability and gives no mind to imagination. He comes to odds with his children however for their youthful desire for romance, creativity, and individuality. 
• Little Dorritt (1857)
  
• This story is set in the Marshalsea prison and no doubt a reference to the time Charles Dickens spent there as a child when his father was arrested by creditors. It demonstrates the harsh conditions of the prison, and criticizes the governments' Treasury and industrial working conditions. Amy Dorritt is the sweet daughter of Mr. William, who after 30 years has become considered the father of the Marshalsea Prison. Amy works as a seamstress and befriends Arthur Clenman who later helps free the family from prison. Years later Arthur becomes a wealthy debtor and after discovering that he was adopted chooses to marry the poor Amy Dorritt.     
• A Tale of Two Cities (1859)
• Regarded as Dicken's greatest historical fiction, it is set during the French Revolution and demonstrates a more dramatic and serious tone. The book is broken up into 3 parts and just like Victor Hugo's Les Miserables it also spans many years. The first book consists of an English doctor reunited with his daughter Lucie after 18 years of imprisonment in the Bastille. Years later Lucie falls for a French aristocrat named Charles Darney and marries him and the two relocate to Paris. However Paris is in the midst of the Reign of Terror and Charles is charged for his wealthy injustice. He is however saved from the guillotine by a depressed lawyer named Sydney Carton, who also loves Lucie. Sydney bears a very similar resemblance to Charles and is able to fool the guards and trade his life to free Charles so the woman he loves can be happy. This is an extremely tragic ending, yet also equally poetic and romantic and part of the reason it is considered among Dicken's greatest works.  
• Great Expectations (1861)
  
• Yet another classic from Charles Dickens that pertains to the setting of an orphan rags-to-riches story. As a young child, Pip encounters a convict and decides to help him before he is captured by the police. Years later Pip becomes a labor worker and falls for the wealthy Estella yet does not have the means to marry her. He is however taken on by a benefactor and trained to become a gentlemen and later woos Estella for a brief period. This is until he discovers his benefactor was the criminal he helped and Pip fears he is in trouble for accepting his financial funds. Pip decides to escape England, leave Estella, and finds work in Egypt as a merchant. Years later he reunites with Estella and the two appear to commit to their lost love. 
• Our Mutual Friend (1865)
• Dicken's last novel often considered his most sophisticated and complex. It demonstrates the perils of wealth, when a poor clerk takes on the identity of a deceased wealthy nobleman. The inheritance in question is that of a profitable dust heap business, by which Dickens demonstrates the irony of wealth thru waste. The story is full of subplots and symbolism which is why it is often considered one of Dicken's most complex works. 

Book Review: A Christmas Carol

The classic Christmas story known as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has been a staple of the holiday season for over 150 years now. It's a story I have been familiar with since my childhood years. Ebenezer Scrooge has become the iconic Christmas character, a grumpy grouch on par with other Christmas anti-heroes such as the Grinch. Other famous characters from the book include Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the three ghosts of Christmas. This book can undoubtedly be celebrated as establishing many of the Christmas customs we celebrate today.

While I have been familiar with the story thru countless television and film adaptations, I have never read the novel until now. It seemed like a fitting follow up for this holiday season after reading the behemoth 800 pager David Copperfield. To my surprise the novel is quite brief with just nearly 100 pages and 5 chapters (known as staves). In this post I'll give a detailed description of Dicken's iconic Christmas novel.

The Premise

The story is sent in London 1840s on Christmas Eve where Ebenezer Scrooge is presented in his banking office with his underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit. He cruelly rejects some charity workers asking for a Christmas donation, as well as his nephew's invitation to his Christmas Party. That evening however he is visited by the ghost of Marley, his former business partner who shared his cold business demeanor. Marley informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts and that he should listen to them, if he doesn't want to end up in chains like he did.

The first ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his past life as a lonely child in a boarding school. He did however have a good relationship with his sister Fan and was later treated like a son by his first employer Mr. Fezziwig. However as an apprentice of finance, Scrooge did not inherit Mr. Fezziwig's generous demeanor. This became clear when his finance Belle, left him because she realized that Scrooge loved more than her. Scrooge's finance was later showing living happy with a husband and family at which Scrooge requested to see no more in the painful vision from his past.

The second ghost of Christmas Present was perhaps the most iconic of the three ghosts. He was a large bearded fellow wearing a great green fur robe. He first demonstrated Scrooge the scene at his employee Cratchit's house. Despite their meager house the Cratchit family was a merry bunch and very grateful to celebrate Christmas Eve. At the end of the dinner Bob Cratchit offers a toast to his employer which is disputed but later shared by the rest of the family. Scrooge also takes notice of the sickly young child of Tiny Tim and fears that he will die without proper medical treatment. The Ghost of Christmas Present also shows Scrooge his nephew's party who just as Bob did, offers his uncle a toast showing sympathy for Scrooge's cold lonely life.

The third ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the most frightening of the three taking the form of a deathly phantom or the Grim Reaper. He shows Scrooge visions into the future if he does not change his selfish ways, including his funeral which nobody cares to attend. Furthermore he sadly witnesses the Cratchit family grieving over the death of their young son Tiny Tim. At this point Scrooge promises to change his ways and is most grateful the visions are over. On Christmas day he falls into a jubilant stupor and buys the Cratchit family an expensive turkey, he gives a large donation to charity, and he visits his nephew.  The next day he informs Cratchit that he will raise his salary, and is a changed man devout to kindness and compassion. The book closes with the iconic grateful words of Tiny Tim, "God Bless us All, Each and everyone of us."

The Analysis

The legacy of this book is worldwide, often considered the essence of the Christmas season on par with The Nativity Story or The Night Before Christmas. Charles Dickens captured the spirit of Christmas in this book and presented so many Christmas customs that have become very popular today. For example the popular phrase of "Merry Christmas" was influenced from this book. The character of Ebenezer Scrooge has also became a very iconic figure of the holiday season with his famous catch phrase of "Bah-Humbug".

This was one of several Christmas books written by Charles Dickens to celebrate his love of the season. This was a concept he was first influenced by Washington Irving as a kid in the 1820s. Dicken's publication of A Christmas Carol in 1843 became an instant hit. It was actually one of several of popular Christmas novels he wrote also including; The Chimes and The Cricket and Hearth (which I intend to read next). While this book can hardly be considered a literature masterpiece, it is mostly celebrated for it's holiday theme and powerful message.

For me the greatest theme of Dicken's story is to be grateful for what you have. Scrooge is naturally a cruel selfish man without any enthusiasm in the world, which is especially clear during the festive season of Christmas. However after some ghostly visions he realizes he has had a terrible attitude for most his professional life, and seeks to change it immediately. His transformation to celebrate the Christmas season as the end of the book, demonstrates the powerful and positive magic of the Christmas Season. 

Book Review: David Copperfield

The past couple months I have taken on the behemoth Charles Dicken's novel, David Copperfield (an 800 page monster). This is probably one of the longest, most challenging books I have read aside from Les Miserables or War and Peace. I read this book in association with the game I was playing, AC Syndicate which takes place during Industrial England in the 1850s. This book entirely gave me the insight I was seeking into industrial British life in those days, most especially from the perspective of a young working class orphan. Charles Dickens is considered one of the greatest authors of all time, and this book is regarded as his semi-autobiographical masterpiece.

I am quite familiar with the work of Charles Dickens, yet have not fully immersed myself into one of his books until I read David Copperfield. Perhaps his greatest claim to fame is his iconic Christmas Carol (which I am now reading) about Ebenezer Scrooge. This book has been adapted into so many films and has become a staple of the holiday season. Another story of his that I have always been familiar with is that of Oliver Twist, the young orphan who had the nerve to request a 2nd serving of soup. Although I am still very early in my Charles Dickens understanding I would say the work of Oliver Twist and David Copperfield demonstrate his common theme of the industrial working class. 

However another book of Dickens that I have always been very fascinated by was A Tale of Two Cities. I own this book and this was the first novel of his I attempted to read, but honestly only made it a few chapters in. The historical premise was what especially captured my interest set during the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. In this novel Dickens demonstrated a very dark element of romanticism, with a love triangle that ends in complete sacrifice by the character Sydney Carton. While I am familiar with the story I would like to give the novel another proper reading attempt someday (If I can comprehend David Copperfield, I should be able to comprehend any of Dickens' works). 

However now I re-divert to the book at hand which I will give my usual review. This will include a break down of the premise, and analysis of the main characters, and an analysis of this particular work by Charles Dickens. Eventually I would also like to make a more in-depth study of the life and works of Charles Dickens, but for now I want to focus on this novel. David Copperfield is often regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time and has absolutely nothing to do with the modern day magician who simply stole the name. This classic book by Dicken's is essentially a biography of a young boys life growing up into adulthood in England. 

The Premise

The story begins as a narration of an older man recounting his youth, which happens to be David Copperfield. He is born in the coastal region of Suffolk, England without a father who dies a few months before his birth. Little David however grows up happily for some years with his loving mother and their housekeeper Ms. Peggoty. However everything changes for young David when his mother remarries to the cruel Edward Murdstone, who insists upon teaching the young boy discipline. Murdstone eventually decides to send David to boarding school after David bites his finger, much to the dismay of his mother. 

Before David goes off to boarding school, he spends a few days with Ms. Peggoty's family along the beach in Yarmouth. Here he meets the fisherman Mr. Peggoty and his adopted children Ham and Emily. David falls in love with the the young Emily, and writes to her frequently when he goes off to school. At the Salem House boarding school, David's misery continues under the cruel direction of Mr. Creakle. He does however befriend a couple students including Tommy Traddles and the older charismatic James Steerforth. 

For the holidays David returns home and spends some good quality time with his mother and Ms. Peggoty. He also discovers he has a new baby brother which he instantly becomes fond of, however as he leaves for school on carriage he gets a strange feeling when seeing his mother wave goodbye to him with the baby. Few weeks later while at school, David tragically discovers his mother and baby bother have died from sickness. David instantly becomes an orphan, and Mr. Murdstone refuses to keep paying his boarding school dues. Ms. Peggoty marries the willing carriage driver, while the young David is sent to work in a wine factory in London. He boards and befriends with the Micawber family.  

After several months of the miserable lifestyle, David decides to run away and seek out his aunt Betsey Trotwood. His aunt despises boys, however she eventually agrees to adopt the child with the support of her mentally challenged friend, Mr. Dick. She sends David to a better school run by Dr. Strong, where David comes under the apprenticeship of a lawyer named Mr. Wickfield as well as new associations with Mr. Wickfield's daughter Agnes and his slimy clerk Uriah Heep. After he finishes school David finds employment as a proctor for the lawyer Mr. Spenlow. During this time he falls mad in love with his boss's daughter Dora. 

David is eventually able to propose and marry Dora, who is as beautiful as she is childish. Their marriage brings him great happiness for some time however, despite their youthful domestic inexperience. David's situation worsens however when his aunt is bankrupted by the fraudulent activities of Uriah Heep. Furthermore he loses his friends Ham and Steerforth who both die among a shipwreck in the waters. To make matters even worse, it is later revealed that his wife dies of a miscarriage and David enters a hard period of grief. 

For three years David travels, works, yet commits to his real passion of writing. He is eventually able to publish a book with the help of his schoolmate Traddles and returns home. He aids in exposing Uriah Heep of his criminal activities which helps restore his aunt's finances. Furthermore he supports Mr. Peggoty and the Micawber's emigration to Australia to seek out a new life. He later reunites with his friend Agnes and reveals to her that he loves her, and she reciprocates the feelings. They later marry and have children together, of which the narrator reveals as a happy ending to his story. 

The Characters

David Copperfield: The protagonist of the story who endures a difficult youth with great optimism and passion. After losing his father and later his mother, David must take on the industrial age of London mostly on his own. He meets many friends along the way, and eventually finds a benefactor thru the support of his aunt. He also experiences various love affairs throughout the book with Emily, Dora, and eventually Agnes.  

Clara Copperfield: The naïve mother of David, who cares deeply for him yet lacks the strength to raise him on her own. She later remarries the cruel Mr. Murdstone, who sends her son away to boarding school. Despite her affectionate care for her child, she dies of illness early in the book, leaving David an orphan.  

Ms. Peggoty: She is the housekeeper and caretaker of the young Davey, whom cares for him and his mother dearly. After Mrs. Copperfield dies she marries the willing carriage driver Mr. Barkis yet continues to corresponded and check on David. 

Mr. Edward Murdstone: He is the cruel 2nd husband of Clara Copperfield who is intent on disciplining the young David. He even brings in the support of his equally wicked sister, Jane to help enforce their systematic structure. After David bites Mr. Murdstone he sends him to boarding school. After Clara dies, he disowns the young David, and willingly lets Betsey Trotwood take over responsibility. 

Betsey Trotwood: She becomes the benefactor of the young David who runs away to her in search of a better life. The spinster aunt despises young boys and disowns him at his birth, however upon seeing him in shambles grows a new sympathy for him. She chooses to raise him and support his endeavors. David later returns the favor by caring for her after she loses all her fortune due to Uriah Heep's fraudulence. 

Mr. Peggoty: He is the brother of Ms. Peggoty, and is a fisherman who lives by the sea. He lives with an unusual company, including the widow of a fellow fisherman named Mrs. Grummidge, who is always crying about her deceased husband. There is also his two adopted children Ham and Emily. 

Ham: He becomes a strong boat builder and grows affection for Emily, however is devastated when she chooses Steerforth. He later dies in a heroic attempt to salvage a ship wreckage in Yarmouth. 

Emily: She is the pretty adopted child of Mr. Peggoty whom becomes David's first childhood sweetheart. She however chooses Steerforth over Ham, who in turn breaks her heart and she runs away. After the death of both Ham and Steerforth she emigrates to Australia with Mr. Peggoty.  

James Steerforth: He is the elder popular student at Salem House Boarding School, which David befriends early on. He is wealthy and smooth talking however later proves to be a scoundrel when he seduces and abandons Emily. He later dies on board the ship that wrecks in Yarmouth. 

Tommy Traddles: He is the loyal schoolmate of David, who proves to be his best friend throughout the entire book. What he lacks for in charisma he makes up for in intelligence and finds a prosperous career in law practice. He helps expose Uriah Heep of his fraudulence and later marries Sophy. 

Wilkins Micawber: A good-hearted working-class man from London who provides David room-and-board during his working stint. He has a loyal wife with several children, yet they are always facing financial struggles. He later finds work under Uriah Heep, but becomes the victim of Uriah's wicked schemes. Mr. Micawber is however later able to expose the wicked financier and have him arrested for fraud. Mr. Micawber later relocates to Australia with his family and prospers as a magistrate.  

Mr. Dick: He is the mentally challenged partner of aunt Betsy Trotwood, who often provides her counsel. Although he is not employed he is a passionate writer obsessed with kites and the historical character of King Charles.  

Mr. Wickfield: He is the lawyer of Betsy Trotwood who offers David room-and-board during his teenage school years. During this team he befriends Mr. Wickfield's daughter Agnes, yet also becomes suspicious of Mr. Wickfield's apprentice Uriah Heep. Uriah is able to manipulate Mr. Wickfield into alcoholism and eventually take over his fortune. 

Agnes Wickfield: She is the kind-hearted daughter of Mr. Wickfield who develops a sisterly affection for David. This however sprouts into a true love at the end of the novel, when David equally expresses his affection for her. She later marries David and they have several children and live happily together. 

Uriah Heep: He is the antagonist of the story who claims to be humble yet becomes the scheming arch-nemesis of David. He takes over Mr. Wickfield's fortune thru manipulation and causes other financial ruin for Betsy Trotwood and Mr. Micawber. He also intends to marry Agnes, until his fraudulence is exposes and he is arrested. 

Dora Spenlow: She is the daughter of Francis Spenlow, David's first employer who offers him work as a proctor. David is mesmerized by her beauty at first site and passionately proposes to her of which she reluctantly accepts. She is very child-like, somewhat reminiscent of David's mother, and always is accompanied by her dog Jip. Together they share several happy years with various domestic arguments. She dies however at a young age after a miscarriage which causes great grief for David.  

The Analysis

This was by far the most difficult book I've read this year however I tackled it with great discipline. The older English verbiage and it's length made this one very intimidating however I patiently endured thru it. I can honestly can say I comprehended it quite well compared to my other efforts at classic European literature such as (Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserables, and War and Peace). The story lacks the typical dramatic arch, and is more so a biographical journey of a young man's life and the many interesting characters he meets along the way. 

I would say this is ultimately a character piece by which Dickens creates many distinct and iconic characters in this novel. The protagonist of David Copperfield is no doubt a representation of Charles' life as a young industrial worker who later developed a keen passion for writing. Despite his harsh upbringing with a cruel step-father, cruel school-master, becoming an orphan, working in a factory as a child, and losing his wife David endures every difficult with great optimism. While his character is somewhat boring, his resolve is truly heroic and this is especially accentuated by every character he meets and helps along the way.

For me this was a very unique book, unlike anything I've read before, that takes the reader on a journey thru a man's life spanning some 20 years. Ultimately I would not consider this book as good as other classics I have recently read such as Scarlett Letter or Uncle Tom's Cabin. However Dickens still succeeds in creating an original setting with original characters. David Copperfield is a character you want to root for, having witnessed the hardships he endured as a child. His tale is one of heroic perseverance in the face of the common day hardships of industrial England.