Charles Dickens WRITING

Transcription

1 Charles Dickens WRITING

2 Content Charles Dickens is one of the most famous English writers in history. His stories were also works of social commentary, and Dickens is considered to be one of the most influential writers. Learning Outcomes Learn vocabulary related to writing and history. Learn about Charles Dickens social commentary. Discuss Charles Dickens works. 1

3 Charles Dickens Charles John Huffan Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's most well-known fictional characters and is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period. During his life, his works were greeted with unprecedented popularity, and by the twentieth century he was celebrated as a literary genius by critics and scholars. His novels and short stories continue to be widely popular. Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens was forced to leave school to work in a factory when his father was thrown into debtors' prison. Although he had little formal education, over his career he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas and hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's 2 rights and education.

4 ENG_C2.0904R Text Dickens sprang to fame with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers. Within a few years he had become an international literary celebrity, famous for his humour, satire, and observation of character and society. His novels, pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction, which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication. The installment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience's reaction, and he often modified his plot and character development based on the feedback. His plots were carefully constructed, and Dickens often wove in elements from topical events into his narratives. Masses of the illiterate poor paid pennies to have each new episode read to them, opening up and inspiring a new class of readers

5 ENG_C2.0904R Text Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also popular stories of his. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best known work of historical fiction. Dickens' creative genius has been praised by fellow writers from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism

6 ENG_C2.0904R Text Dickens loved the style of the 18th century picaresque novels. Perhaps the most important literary influence on him was derived from the fables of The Arabian Nights. His writing style is marked by a profuse linguistic creativity. Satire is his forte

7 ENG_C2.0904R Text His satires of British aristocratic snobbery he calls one character the "Noble Refrigerator" are popular. Comparing orphans to stocks and shares, people to tug boats, or dinner-party guests to furniture are just some of Dickens's satirical writings. The author worked closely with his illustrators, supplying them with a summary of the work at the outset to make sure that his characters and settings were exactly how he envisioned them. He would brief the illustrator on plans for each month's installment so that work could begin before he wrote them. Marcus Stone, illustrator of Our Mutual Friend, said that Dickens provided every last detail to create the perfect images for each character

8 ENG_C2.0904R Text Authors often draw their characters from people they have known in real life. David Copperfield is regarded as strongly autobiographical. Dickens's father was sent to prison for debt, and this became a common theme in many of his books, with the detailed depiction of life in the Marshalsea prison in Little Dorrit resulting from Dickens's own experiences of the institution

9 ENG_C2.0904R Reading The Meaning Behind Dickens Writing At a time when Britain was the major economic and political power of the world, Dickens highlighted the life of the forgotten poor and disadvantaged within society. Through his journalism he campaigned on specific issues, and his fiction had its greatest success in changing public opinion in regard to class inequalities. He often depicted the exploitation and oppression of the poor and condemned the public officials and institutions that allowed such abuses. Hard Times (1854) is Dickens novel-length account of the industrial working class. In this work, he uses satire to illustrate that people were not really "people" but rather only appendages of the machines they operated

10 Speaking Based on the short text, talk about the following questions. 1. What specific issues did Dickens campaign for? 2. In which novel does Dickens discuss industrial working? 3. What was unique about Dickens publishing method? 9

11 1) Social critic 2) Fictional 3) Character 4) Novelist 5) Unprecedented 11) Character 12) Pioneer 13) Narrative 14) Adaptation 15) Writing style 6) Genius 7) Sprang to fame 8) Publication 9) Satire 10) Plot 10

12 Linguistic Creativity Illustrator Envision Setting Autobiographical Direct experience Copyright Detailed depiction Common theme Highlighted Campaigned on Reflects the Institutions Industrial Marginalized 11

13 Oppression Real life Institution Well-known Working class Widely seen Disadvantaged Factory Forgotten Scene Novel Journal 12

14 Students notes vocabulary they have further questions about 13

15 Writing Answer the questions What type of literature did Charles Dickens write? a) Fiction b) Fiction novels c) Fiction novels, novellas, short stories and non-fiction articles What did Charles Dickens campaign for? a) The Civil Rights movement b) Children s rights and education c) The end of the war What are some of Charles Dickens publications? a) Oliver Swing b) David Copperfield, The Pickwick Papers, a Tale of Two Cities c) Great Expectations 14

16 Writing Write summary of the texts from the previous slides. 15

17 Writing Complete the sentences Dickens was regarded as a) unique b) a literary genius c) inspiring adaptations The most important influences for Dickens a) picaresque novels b) The Arabian Nights c) his father The author worked closely with a) illustrators b) summary of the work at the outset c) describe down to the minutest details 16

18 Writing True or False At the time Dickens wrote, Britain was in bankruptcy a) True b) False Dickens depicted exploitation and oppression of the poor a) True b) False David Copperfield is regarded as strongly autobiographical a) True b) False 17

19 Speaking Opinion 1) Should literature be more accessible to the poor? 2) Can fictional characters speak about real life? 3) Are movie adaptations of novels always good? 18

20 Speaking True or False 1. Charles John Huffan Dickens is the full name of Charles Dickens 2. Dickens family was wealthy 3. Dickens novels continue to be very popular 4. Dickens was born in London 5. Dickens had a very good education True False 19

21 Speaking Matching plot critics writer writing style new class of readers industrial class children s rights satire autobiographical social criticism linguistic creativity character humour scholars education illiterate poor workers David Copperfield 20

22 Speaking Choose the correct interpretation Dickens father was sent to prison for debt a) Dickens had personal life experience with institutions b) Dickens grew up without a father The author worked closely with illustrators a) The author worked next door to his illustrator b) The author briefed his illustrators His writing style is marked by a profuse linguistic creativity a) Dickens was a very creative writer b) Dickens writing style was unique 21