Charles Dickens and Charles Dickens and Great Great ExpectationsExpectations

Beginnings Beginnings Charles John Huffam DickensCharles John Huffam Dickens Born on February 7, 1812Born on February 7, 1812 Second child to John and Elizabeth DickensSecond child to John and Elizabeth Dickens Father was a clerk for a Naval Pay Officer Father was a clerk for a Naval Pay Officer Lower middle class which “consisted of shabby Lower middle class which “consisted of shabby

genteel who had slipped down from higher genteel who had slipped down from higher classes and artisans and working classmen who classes and artisans and working classmen who had improved themselves” (“Charles”)had improved themselves” (“Charles”)

They “Jealously cherished its pretensions of being They “Jealously cherished its pretensions of being a cut above the proletariat, whom it thought to be a cut above the proletariat, whom it thought to be dirty, immoral, drunken, profane, comical, and dirty, immoral, drunken, profane, comical, and potentially murderous” (Cruikshank 12). Also potentially murderous” (Cruikshank 12). Also believed itself to be more moral than the “corrupt believed itself to be more moral than the “corrupt and sensual aristocracy” (Cruikshank 12).and sensual aristocracy” (Cruikshank 12).

Moving AroundMoving Around The Dickens family moved often because of The Dickens family moved often because of

their father’s job and loose spending habits. their father’s job and loose spending habits. Charles remembered his fondest years of Charles remembered his fondest years of

childhood as the five years spent in Chatham childhood as the five years spent in Chatham where the family moved when Charles was 5.where the family moved when Charles was 5.

He first saw the mansion Gad’s Hill Place there He first saw the mansion Gad’s Hill Place there and watched the prison ships called Hulks.and watched the prison ships called Hulks.

There he was allowed to attend school and There he was allowed to attend school and learned to read and writelearned to read and write

In 1822 they moved back to Camdon, North In 1822 they moved back to Camdon, North LondonLondon

Early Work for ChuckEarly Work for Chuck Father was imprisoned for debt early in Father was imprisoned for debt early in

Charles’ life (around the age of 12). Went to Charles’ life (around the age of 12). Went to Marshalsea Prison. Had to pay to be there Marshalsea Prison. Had to pay to be there but could earn no money to get out of debt.but could earn no money to get out of debt.

Family lived with father in Prison so Charles Family lived with father in Prison so Charles is on his ownis on his own

Charles is sent to work to support his familyCharles is sent to work to support his family Jealous of his sister who was studying at the Jealous of his sister who was studying at the

Royal Academy of MusicRoyal Academy of Music

Marshalsea Debter’s PrisonMarshalsea Debter’s Prison

Poor CharlesPoor Charles Charles was left alone to support himselfCharles was left alone to support himself Charles then went to work for a relative Charles then went to work for a relative

of his mother’s pasting labels on the of his mother’s pasting labels on the bottles of shoe polish at Warren’s bottles of shoe polish at Warren’s Blackening factory 12 hours a day, six Blackening factory 12 hours a day, six days a weekdays a week

Eventually, due to an inheritance, the Eventually, due to an inheritance, the family’s debt was paid and they were family’s debt was paid and they were allowed to leave prison (In prison 6-12 allowed to leave prison (In prison 6-12 monthsmonths

Warren’s Shoe Blacking Warren’s Shoe Blacking CompanyCompany Dickens had always Dickens had always

dreamed of living the dreamed of living the life of an upper class life of an upper class gentleman, but had no gentleman, but had no money to achieve that money to achieve that dream.dream.

Other boys working Other boys working there made fun of him there made fun of him by calling him “the by calling him “the young gentleman.”young gentleman.”

He said,” No words He said,” No words can express the agony can express the agony of my soul as I sunk of my soul as I sunk into this into this companionship.”companionship.”

The Bitterness BeginsThe Bitterness Begins Charles re-enrolls in school again against his Charles re-enrolls in school again against his

mother’s will. Attended Wellington House mother’s will. Attended Wellington House Academy with cruel headmaster who beat kids.Academy with cruel headmaster who beat kids.

She did not want to lose the income Charles She did not want to lose the income Charles was bringing in.was bringing in.

Never forgot the bitterness and sense of Never forgot the bitterness and sense of betrayal betrayal

“ “ I never afterwards forgot, I never shall forget, I never afterwards forgot, I never shall forget, I never can forget that my mother was warm I never can forget that my mother was warm for my being sent back [to Warren’s for my being sent back [to Warren’s Blackening].”Blackening].”

EducationEducation

Dickens education was mostly informalDickens education was mostly informal Taught to read by his mother at early Taught to read by his mother at early

ageage By age of ten he had read novels like By age of ten he had read novels like

Robinson Crusoe, Tom Jones, Robinson Crusoe, Tom Jones, andand Don Don QuixoteQuixote

At age 18 he buys a reading ticket to At age 18 he buys a reading ticket to the library at the British Museum and the library at the British Museum and also taught himself shorthand.also taught himself shorthand.

WorkWork Worked various jobs after the Blackening factoryWorked various jobs after the Blackening factory Spent two years as a law clerkSpent two years as a law clerk After learning shorthand he spent 4 years as a legal After learning shorthand he spent 4 years as a legal

reporter, then as shorthand reporter in Parliament reporter, then as shorthand reporter in Parliament (his “dissatisfaction with government comes from (his “dissatisfaction with government comes from this time)this time)

1834 joins staff of the 1834 joins staff of the Morning ChronicleMorning Chronicle as a news as a news reporter covering political news. Newspaper was reporter covering political news. Newspaper was known for its crusade to improve the ills of society. known for its crusade to improve the ills of society. He developed a “burning sense of the hurt and He developed a “burning sense of the hurt and injustice suffered by ordinary people” (Seward 461).injustice suffered by ordinary people” (Seward 461).

He also begins at this time to write for publicationHe also begins at this time to write for publication This point in his life marked by fierce determination This point in his life marked by fierce determination

to succeedto succeed

RomanceRomance Charles falls in love older Maria Charles falls in love older Maria

Beadnell, daughter of a rich bankerBeadnell, daughter of a rich banker Goes well until she returns from Goes well until she returns from

Finishing school in Paris and loses Finishing school in Paris and loses interest in him. interest in him.

His friend John Forester later related His friend John Forester later related that he was surprised at how hard that he was surprised at how hard Dickens took the break up but Dickens took the break up but recognized that it was fueled by a recognized that it was fueled by a deep sense of social inferioritydeep sense of social inferiority

More LoveMore Love

Meets Catherine Hogarth, Daughter Meets Catherine Hogarth, Daughter of the of the Morning ChronicleMorning Chronicle Editor. Editor.

Married in 1836Married in 1836 Odd relationship though, lacked the Odd relationship though, lacked the

luster of his previous relationshipluster of his previous relationship Often broke dates and would Often broke dates and would

reprimand Catherine if she protestedreprimand Catherine if she protested

Bad CharlesBad Charles

Charles constantly found himself Charles constantly found himself infatuated with other womeninfatuated with other women

Mary, younger sister to Catherine, Mary, younger sister to Catherine, lived with them until she suddenly lived with them until she suddenly died at age 17 died at age 17

Charles was crushed which only Charles was crushed which only infuriated his already jealous wifeinfuriated his already jealous wife

His WritingHis Writing

Sold his first short pieces and sketches Sold his first short pieces and sketches in London at the in London at the Morning ChronicleMorning Chronicle and other papersand other papers

Started writing under the pen name of Started writing under the pen name of BozBoz

He published a collection of these He published a collection of these short stories in a book called short stories in a book called Sketches Sketches by Boz by Boz which received much critical which received much critical praise and sparked Dickens’ careerpraise and sparked Dickens’ career

The Novels Keep On ComingThe Novels Keep On Coming

He earned some early recognition with these He earned some early recognition with these but gained more fame from his serialized but gained more fame from his serialized novels the first of which, the comedic novels the first of which, the comedic Pickwick PapersPickwick Papers was a success was a success

Pickwick PapersPickwick Papers sold over 40,000 copies for sold over 40,000 copies for each serial addition.each serial addition.

Oliver Twist Oliver Twist was started after was started after PickwickPickwick and and Nicholas Nickleby Nicholas Nickleby andand A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol soon soon followedfollowed

Started weekly periodicals called Started weekly periodicals called Household Household Words Words and thenand then All the Year Round. They All the Year Round. They deadea

Christmas Time With Uncle Christmas Time With Uncle CharlesCharles

Dickens then wrote 5 consecutive Dickens then wrote 5 consecutive Christmas stories of which the most Christmas stories of which the most famous is famous is A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol

Bad Times at Ridgemont Bad Times at Ridgemont HighHigh

Dickens older sister dies in 1848Dickens older sister dies in 1848 Wife has a nervous breakdown in Wife has a nervous breakdown in

1850 after the birth of their daughter 1850 after the birth of their daughter Dora AnnieDora Annie

1851 Dora dies as well as Dickens’ 1851 Dora dies as well as Dickens’ FatherFather

Through this time, Dickens writes Through this time, Dickens writes David CopperfieldDavid Copperfield

Lawrence KappelLawrence Kappel““For the first time, (Dickens) conceived For the first time, (Dickens) conceived

a hero who could survive in the midst a hero who could survive in the midst of problem-filled world of experience of problem-filled world of experience by using his artistic imagination, like by using his artistic imagination, like Dickens himself. This autobiographical Dickens himself. This autobiographical novel was a celebration of the artist’s novel was a celebration of the artist’s ability to cope with the world right in ability to cope with the world right in the center of it, as opposed to just the center of it, as opposed to just surviving the world by retreating to surviving the world by retreating to some safe place at the edge of it…”some safe place at the edge of it…”

Poor, Poor CharlesPoor, Poor Charles

The bad times kept on coming with The bad times kept on coming with the scandal of yet another young the scandal of yet another young woman and Dickens still dealing with woman and Dickens still dealing with the breakdown and subsequent the breakdown and subsequent divorce of Catherinedivorce of Catherine

Novels like Novels like Bleak House, Hard Times, Bleak House, Hard Times, andand Little Dorrit Little Dorrit were his darkest and were his darkest and bleakest yetbleakest yet

Great ExpectationsGreat Expectations

Dickens hit gold with his next novel Dickens hit gold with his next novel Great ExpectationsGreat Expectations

Received mixed reviews from the Received mixed reviews from the critics but the public loved itcritics but the public loved it

Some called it his greatest work yetSome called it his greatest work yet

The Last OneThe Last One

Dickens writes his last full novel Dickens writes his last full novel Our Our Mutual FriendMutual Friend which returned to his darker which returned to his darker side dealing with the further deepening side dealing with the further deepening corruption in societycorruption in society

Dickens toured heavily doing reading and Dickens toured heavily doing reading and signings until his health declinedsignings until his health declined

Started Started The Mystery of Edwin Drood The Mystery of Edwin Drood in in 1869 but died in 1870 of an apparent brain 1869 but died in 1870 of an apparent brain hemorrhagehemorrhage

He is buried in the poet’s Corner of He is buried in the poet’s Corner of Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey

The Victorian NovelThe Victorian Novel British novels published between 1840 and British novels published between 1840 and

1880 often are grouped together under the 1880 often are grouped together under the title "Victorian," as if some essential title "Victorian," as if some essential identity derived from having been identity derived from having been published during the long reign of the published during the long reign of the person George Eliot called "our little person George Eliot called "our little humbug of a queen."humbug of a queen."

19th-century writers were engaged in 19th-century writers were engaged in redefining fundamental ideas of identity redefining fundamental ideas of identity and social order and in giving positive value and social order and in giving positive value and currency to terms like "self" and and currency to terms like "self" and "society," which, even as late as the mid "society," which, even as late as the mid

.19th century.19th century

Setting of Setting of Great Great ExpectationsExpectations

Turn of the 18Turn of the 18thth century London had 1 century London had 1 million peoplemillion people

By 1881, there was a 450% increase. By 1881, there was a 450% increase. Populations was now four and a half Populations was now four and a half million because of Industrial Revolution.million because of Industrial Revolution.

More slums, orphans, increased poverty, More slums, orphans, increased poverty, child labor.child labor.

Pip lived in KentPip lived in Kent Queen Victoria ascended the throne in Queen Victoria ascended the throne in

18371837

Social ReformSocial Reform Dickens treats a variety of social issues Dickens treats a variety of social issues

in Great Expectations—prejudice, in Great Expectations—prejudice, materialism, social status, and class—in materialism, social status, and class—in a sensible manner."a sensible manner."

  Some have criticized Dickens's works Some have criticized Dickens's works for emphasizing grave social injustices for emphasizing grave social injustices but not offering any solutions. But such but not offering any solutions. But such criticism misses Dickens's point: criticism misses Dickens's point: believing history has proved economic believing history has proved economic systems to be incapable of relieving systems to be incapable of relieving poverty, Dickens stresses the poverty, Dickens stresses the importance of individual responsibility importance of individual responsibility and compassion for the plight of the and compassion for the plight of the poor and disfranchised."poor and disfranchised."

More ReformMore Reform Around 1800 social reformers began Around 1800 social reformers began

calling for changes in child labor laws calling for changes in child labor laws because of long hours and unsafe because of long hours and unsafe conditions. Child labor caused “illiteracy, conditions. Child labor caused “illiteracy, further “impoverishment of poor families, further “impoverishment of poor families, and a multitude of diseased and crippled and a multitude of diseased and crippled children” (children” (Child LaborChild Labor))

Factory Act—1819 forbade children from Factory Act—1819 forbade children from working at night and limited work day to working at night and limited work day to 12 hours. No policing so did no good.12 hours. No policing so did no good.

..

Child LaborChild Labor

1847 The Ten Hours Act reduced 1847 The Ten Hours Act reduced hours for all workers to ten hours, six hours for all workers to ten hours, six days a week.days a week.

Factory Act of 1833 forbade children Factory Act of 1833 forbade children under age of nine from working in under age of nine from working in factories and limited hours of factories and limited hours of children up to age eighteen. Paid children up to age eighteen. Paid inspectorsinspectors

Educational ReformEducational Reform Early 1800s there was no state-funded Early 1800s there was no state-funded

schoolingschooling Lower-middle class children either went Lower-middle class children either went

without schooling or went to Dame or without schooling or went to Dame or evening schools which were inadequate.evening schools which were inadequate.

When lower-middle class children could When lower-middle class children could attend a school, they where often cruel attend a school, they where often cruel where headmaster believed that beating where headmaster believed that beating children is a way to knock sense into them. children is a way to knock sense into them. Children were afraid to take risks in Children were afraid to take risks in learning.learning.

1870 Education Act required neighborhood 1870 Education Act required neighborhood districts to use taxes for schoolsdistricts to use taxes for schools

1880 another act made education 1880 another act made education compulsory for children 5-10 years of age.compulsory for children 5-10 years of age.

Debtor’s LawsDebtor’s Laws 1800 laws allowed government officials to lock those 1800 laws allowed government officials to lock those

in debt in prisonsin debt in prisons The imprisonment of Dickens’ father in Marshalsea The imprisonment of Dickens’ father in Marshalsea

Prison in 1824 compelled Dickens to show the world Prison in 1824 compelled Dickens to show the world that not all debtors were low-down criminals.that not all debtors were low-down criminals.

1834 the New Poor Law allowed for those in debt to 1834 the New Poor Law allowed for those in debt to go into a workhouse where they could work for their go into a workhouse where they could work for their keep.keep.

Poor conditions of prison, where inmates were Poor conditions of prison, where inmates were thrown together leading to fights or put into solitary thrown together leading to fights or put into solitary confinement leading to antisocial behaviorconfinement leading to antisocial behavior

Ugly cycle—poor had no money, introduced to crime Ugly cycle—poor had no money, introduced to crime just to eat, thrown in prison at early age, earmarked just to eat, thrown in prison at early age, earmarked as criminal, in and out of prison with no as criminal, in and out of prison with no rehabilitating or helping the individual changerehabilitating or helping the individual change

Overall ThemesOverall Themes

Pip’s realization that wealth and class are Pip’s realization that wealth and class are less important than affection, loyalty, and less important than affection, loyalty, and inner worthinner worth

affection, loyalty, and conscience are more affection, loyalty, and conscience are more important than social advancement, important than social advancement, wealth, and class.wealth, and class.

social class becomes a superficial standard social class becomes a superficial standard of value that Pip must learn to look beyond of value that Pip must learn to look beyond in finding a better way to live his life.in finding a better way to live his life.

SymbolsSymbols