Charles Dickens: Life and Works

Charles Dickens, born in Portsmouth in 1812, experienced a challenging childhood that would later influence his literary works. At the age of 12, he was forced to work in a factory due to his family's financial difficulties, which included his father's imprisonment for debts. This early exposure to hardship and social injustice would become a recurring theme in his writing.

Dickens began his career as a newspaper reporter, using the pen name Boz. In 1836, he published "Sketches by Boz," a collection of articles about people and scenes from everyday life. This marked the beginning of his literary career, which would soon flourish with the publication of several Charles Dickens opere più importanti in inglese, including:

• Oliver Twist (1838)
• David Copperfield (1849-50)
• Little Dorrit (1857)
• Hard Times (1854)
• Great Expectations (1860-61)

Highlight: Dickens' works often addressed social issues, reflecting his concern for the underprivileged and his critique of societal problems.

In addition to his novels, Dickens was a busy editor of magazines, further establishing his influence in the literary world. He passed away in 1870 in London and was buried in Westminster Abbey, a testament to his significant contribution to English literature.

Quote: "Dickens attacked the social evils of his times such as poor houses, unjust courts, and the underworld."

This statement encapsulates Dickens pensiero, or Dickens' philosophy, which was deeply rooted in social criticism and reform.

The Story of Oliver Twist: From Workhouse to Redemption

The narrative of Oliver Twist follows the journey of a poor orphan boy, born to unknown parents, as he navigates the harsh realities of Victorian England. The story begins with Oliver in a workhouse, where he is later sold as an apprentice to an undertaker. Unable to endure the cruelty of his new master, Oliver escapes to London.

Example: One of the most famous scenes in the novel is when Oliver, starving in the workhouse, dares to ask for more food, saying, "Please, sir, I want some more."

In London, Oliver encounters a group of young pickpockets led by the cunning Fagin. Despite their attempts to corrupt him, Oliver's inherent goodness remains intact. His fortunes begin to change when he is helped by an old gentleman, Mr. Brownlow.

However, Oliver's journey is far from over. He is kidnapped by the gang and forced to participate in a burglary, during which he is shot and wounded. This incident leads to his rescue and adoption by a kind middle-class family.

Highlight: The novel's plot takes a dramatic turn when it is revealed that Oliver has noble origins, and the gang of thieves was actually paid by Oliver's half-brother to ruin the boy and claim their father's property.

The story concludes with justice being served as the criminal gang is arrested, and Oliver's true identity and inheritance are revealed. This ending reinforces Dickens' theme of good triumphing over evil and the power of kindness and perseverance.

Quote: "Please, sir, I want some more." This famous line encapsulates Oliver's innocence and the harsh conditions of the workhouse system.