Charles Dickens: The Man Behind the Words
A Christmas Carol: A Timeless Classic for the Festive Season
Is there a story more synonymous with Christmas than A Christmas Carol? Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from “Bah, humbug!” to embracing the spirit of the season has enchanted readers since it was first published in 1843. Packed with ghosts, goodwill, and the true meaning of Christmas, it’s a tale that continues to resonate. It's a tradition of mine to watch the Albert Finney version every December. So with that in mind, I thought I'd write something on the author that gave us the book that started it all.
A Humble Beginning
Charles Dickens wasn’t born into the cosy, well-fed world we often associate with Christmas cheer. He came into the world on 7th February 1812 in Portsmouth, the second of eight children. His family lived modestly, and his father, John Dickens, had a habit of spending beyond his means. By the time Charles was 12, financial trouble hit hard, and the family was plunged into debt.
Things took a sharp turn for the worse when John was thrown into Marshalsea debtor’s prison. Back then, families of imprisoned debtors often joined them in jail, but young Charles was sent to work at Warren’s Blacking Factory. There, he spent long, grim hours sticking labels on pots of boot polish. The conditions were filthy, the work demeaning, and for the boy who once dreamed of a bright future, it was a crushing blow.
This experience left a deep scar on Dickens. He felt abandoned and betrayed by his family, but it also gave him a fierce determination to succeed. Many of his most poignant depictions of child labour, poverty, and the struggles of the working class stem directly from these early experiences. David Copperfield and Oliver Twist draw particularly heavily on his memories of these difficult years.
Despite these hardships, Dickens was a voracious reader, escaping into books whenever he could. He devoured novels, plays, and tales of adventure—stories that would later inspire his vivid storytelling.
Climbing the Ladder
Dickens’ fortunes began to change when his family’s financial situation improved, allowing him to leave the factory. He went back to school for a while but eventually found work as a law clerk and later a journalist. His knack for writing sharp, witty sketches of London life caught the attention of publishers, and in 1836, The Pickwick Papers catapulted him to fame.
The Stories That Defined Him
You’ve probably heard of — or read — some of Dickens’ greatest works. Here are a few highlights:
Oliver Twist (1837–39): A gritty tale of an orphan navigating London’s underbelly. Think workhouses, pickpockets, and one unforgettable villain, Fagin.
A Christmas Carol (1843): The story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and his life-changing ghostly visitors. This one’s a festive staple, isn’t it?
David Copperfield (1849–50): Often considered his most autobiographical novel, it’s a coming-of-age story filled with unforgettable characters.
Great Expectations (1860–61): Pip’s journey from humble beginnings to high society is packed with twists, turns, and some seriously memorable moments.
Champion of the Poor
Charles Dickens wasn’t just a writer; he was a fierce advocate for social reform, particularly when it came to the plight of the poor. Having experienced poverty firsthand during his childhood, he was deeply moved by the suffering of the working class and the mistreatment of the vulnerable in Victorian society. His novels, essays, and public speeches often highlighted the harsh conditions faced by the poor, children, and the elderly, making him one of the most influential social critics of his time.
One of Dickens’ most significant contributions was his criticism of the Poor Law of 1834, which sought to reduce government assistance for the poor by making workhouses harsher. Dickens, through his works, depicted the cruel realities of these institutions. In Oliver Twist, the workhouse is a grim place where children are subjected to neglect and exploitation, a stark contrast to the idealised, benevolent image of such institutions put forward by the government. The novel’s portrayal of child labour, in particular, was a call to action against the exploitation of children in factories and workhouses.
In Hard Times (1854), Dickens focused on the dehumanising effects of industrialisation. He criticised a society that valued profit over people and portrayed the devastating consequences of treating workers as mere machines. The character of Thomas Gradgrind, who enforces a strict system of education based on "facts, facts, and nothing but facts," is a symbol of this utilitarian mindset, while the lives of the working-class characters show the emotional and physical toll of this approach.
Dickens didn’t just write about these issues—he used his fame to campaign for reform. He gave public readings of his works and met with politicians, urging them to take action on social inequality. He also raised awareness of the hardships faced by children in particular, calling for improved child labour laws and better education for the poor.
Even as he was writing entertaining stories, Dickens was helping to change minds about the treatment of the underprivileged. He inspired many to advocate for reforms that improved the lives of those who had been ignored or mistreated by society. Through his works, Dickens became a voice for the voiceless, and his legacy as a champion of the poor continues to resonate today.
A Lasting Legacy
Dickens passed away on 9th June 1870, leaving behind a treasure trove of stories that still resonate today. His ability to capture the essence of Victorian England, while addressing universal themes like love, greed, and redemption, has cemented his place as one of the greatest writers in English literature.
If you fancy having a read or re-read of Dicken's classics, you can find a selection free ebooks here.
