A Tale of Two Cities
Background & Themes: Many incidents in the novel are based on real- life occurrences described by Carlyle. Dickens was also influenced by Carlyle’s belief that the revolution was inspired by the centuries of cruelty and poverty the French poor had to endure at the hands of the corrupt nobility. Dickens was also influenced by Carlyle’s belief that the revolution was inspired by the centuries of cruelty and poverty the French poor had to endure at the hands of the corrupt nobility. This book also compared the struggles in France that led to revolution and the "current" struggles in England.
Themes: Family, poverty, politics, loyalty
Where to get it: Read the book online here or check it out at your local library.
Themes: Family, poverty, politics, loyalty
Where to get it: Read the book online here or check it out at your local library.
A Christmas Carol
Background & Themes: Dickens' wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, in the midst of England's social crisis. Already with several pieces under his belt this story followed some of the same themes from his previous work. In one of these themes, social criticism, Dickens tried to bring attention to the plight of England's poor, an issue close to his heart because he was underprivileged as a child. Dickens uses contrast between characters to describe the rich and poor. This book also brings with it the idea of Christmas spirit, a new idea at the time. Another one of Dickens' common themes is redemption and he uses it in this story to give the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, a shot at a new life.
Where to get it: Most libraries and bookstores have copies of this classic holiday novel. You can also read it online here.
Where to get it: Most libraries and bookstores have copies of this classic holiday novel. You can also read it online here.
Oliver Twist
Background & Themes: As a child Dickens had to work in a workhouse because his father was in jail for debts. It was said that as Charles grew up in this workhouse he was always given a hard time by a senior boy by the name of Bob Fagin. In Oliver Twist the main villain was a man by the name of Fagin. Oliver Twist, the main character, is an orphan born into a workhouse, which Dickens uses his personal situations to portray it. A main theme in Oliver Twist is having a conscience because even though so many main characters have done something legally wrong they all have some sort of conscience telling them what they did was wrong and makes them feel terrible about themselves for it.
Where to get it: There several sites that allow you to read Oliver Twist online including this one and this one. You can also buy the book or rent it from your local library.
Where to get it: There several sites that allow you to read Oliver Twist online including this one and this one. You can also buy the book or rent it from your local library.
The Pickwick Papers
Background & Themes: The Pickwick Papers, Dickens first novel, was a huge success and launched the rest of Dickens career. Dickens was hired by publishers Chapman and Hall to write a series of texts to go along with artist, Robert Seymour's, engravings. Dickens ended up turning the project to focus on the writing instead of the pictures. The Pickwick Papers is about the sporting life of Samuel Pickwick. Dickens used The Pickwick Papers to bring into light the wrongs of the justice system. He had seen this first hand when he worked as a law clerk. Pickwick also ended up in debtor's prison just as Dickens father had when Dickens was a child.
Where to get it: It can be found at most libarays and book stores; also available online at this website.