Welcome to the fascinating world of Charles Dickens!
In this post, you will learn about the life of this famous writer and the wonderful stories he created.
From his hard childhood to his unforgettable characters, Dickens’s life is both inspiring and fun.
Let’s explore his great contributions to literature together!
Who was Charles Dickens?
Charles Dickens is one of England’s most famous writers. He lived from 1812 to 1870. He wrote mainly during the reign of Queen Victoria. For this reason, he is known as a Victorian writer.
He is celebrated for creating exciting stories filled with unforgettable characters.
His early life wasn’t easy:
- His family had money problems.
- His father was sent to prison because he didn’t pay his debts.
- At just 12 years old, Dickens had to leave school and work in a factory to help his family.
- He couldn’t continue his education.
But this difficult start helped him write stories that people loved and he was extremely popular in his own lifetime.
Dickens didn’t just entertain – he made people think. All these years later, his books are still read all over the world.
Famous books by Charles Dickens
Oliver Twist
This book tells the story of a poor orphan who faces all kinds of trouble and has to live with dangerous criminals. It shows that life for children in Victorian England was hard, especially those without family or money. Through Oliver’s struggles, Dickens shows the unfair treatment of the poor and the difficulties they had to face.
Great Expectations
Great Expectations is the story of Pip, a poor boy who dreams of becoming rich and important. After helping an escaped prisoner and later receiving money from a secret person, his life changes. Pip moves to London, thinking that being rich will make him happy. But as he grows up, he learns that money and success aren’t as important as kindness, love and friendship.
David Copperfield
This book follows the life of David, a boy who faces many difficulties. After his father dies, David gets a cruel stepfather and is sent to work. During his life, David meets many different people – some who help him and some who don’t. As he grows up, he learns important lessons about family, friendship and finding his own path in life.
A Christmas Carol
Dickens write one of the most well-known Christmas stories of all time, A Christmas Carol. This story is about a horrible, selfish man called Scrooge, who only cares about money and doesn’t help other people. After three ghosts visit him – one showing his past, one showing the present, and one showing his future – Scrooge sees how his actions hurt others. These visits help him realise the importance of kindness and generosity, but can he become a better person, or is it too late?
Ghost stories
Dickens also wrote fantastic – and scary – ghost stories. The most famous of them is ‘The Signalman‘. It is a short story about a lonely signalman who works on a railway tunnel. He is troubled by strange events and a ghost that he sees near the tracks. The signalman feels a sense of danger and tries to warn others, but no one believes him.
It doesn’t matter which book you read, Dickens’s characters are so well written, you feel like you know them!
What is a phrasal verb?
What inspired Dickens’s writing?
A lot of Dickens’s writing came from his own experiences.
When his father went to prison for debt, young Dickens had to work in a factory. These tough times gave him a deep understanding of what poor people went through. He felt great sympathy for them.
Dickens loved exploring the streets of London. He would walk for miles, watching everyday life and meeting all sorts of people – from rich gentlemen to poor beggars. These walks helped him understand the big differences between rich and poor, and he often put the people he saw into his stories. The sights, sounds and even smells of London became part of his writing, making his stories feel real and alive. This is why his books show Victorian London so clearly – as if you’re there with him.
Dickens wrote about real life, and it’s one reason why his books still feel so fresh today.
Dickens and social issues
Dickens didn’t just write fun stories – he used his books to talk about big problems in society.
He wrote about the struggles of poor people, bad working conditions and the unfair treatment of children.
In Oliver Twist, he showed how horrible workhouses were, and in Hard Times, he wrote about how hard life was for factory workers.
Through his books, Dickens wanted people to notice these problems and make the world a better place.
Charles Dickens’s writing style
What makes Dickens’s writing special? His characters!
Dickens had a real talent for creating memorable people, often with funny or strange names, like Ebenezer Scrooge or Mr Bumble.
His stories are filled with humour, but also with deep emotion.
Dickens could describe a foggy London street or a noisy party so clearly that you feel like you are there.
His writing keeps you interested, no matter what age you are.
Charles Dickens was a big celebrity!
Did you know that Dickens was very famous during his lifetime? He became famous not just in Britain but around the world.
Dickens’s fame wasn’t limited to his writing – he was also known for his public speaking. In the 1860s, he toured the United States, reading from his books in front of huge audiences.
His dramatic performances were a huge success, with people eager to see the great author in person. These tours made him even more popular and showed just how much people admired his work.
Why is Charles Dickens still important today?
Even though Dickens lived in the 1800s, his stories are still relevant today. His books have been made into films, TV shows and plays that people still love.
Dickens shows us what life was like in Victorian England, but his messages about kindness, hope, and fairness are timeless.
Whether you’re reading A Christmas Carol at Christmas or watching a film version of Oliver Twist, Dickens’s stories still touch our hearts.
Read Dickens's stories in easier English, with my adapted versions
If you want to enjoy Dickens’s amazing stories but find the language too difficult, don’t worry!
I’ve created special versions of his books in easier English, perfect for learners like you.
You can experience all the excitement of Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol without worrying about difficult words and grammar.
Experience these classic stories, improve your English, and have fun too! Get your copy today!
