Charles Dickens:Social and Political Views in the Victorian Era.

1. Charles Dickens
Political and Social Views in the
Victoria Era.
Devon Anderson
Troy University

2. Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812 in Landsport, Portsmouth. He was the
son of John Dickens, a socialite who spent much of his time ascending the social
ladder society. Charles was formaly educated in many of the best schools, but due to
his fathers neglect and attention to being one of the social elite, his family
eventually ended up in Marshalsea debtors prison. This would mark a turning point
in young Charles life, as a result of his fathers imprisonment, young Charles was
forced into a life of employment in the factories that employed child labor. His
experiences in these factories would eventually lead to the development of many of
the characters that appear in his stories.

3. Purpose of Paper
 The purpose of the paper was to identify recurrent
themes within the works of Charles Dickens. The
author had chosen to concentrate on the political and
social views that were the focal point of Dickens
stories. The following stories were chosen for this
paper.
 Great Expectations
 A Christmas Carol
 David Copperfield

4. Great Expectations
I thought I heard Miss Havisham answer--only it seemed so unlikely, "Well? You
can break his heart." (Chapter 8).

5. Summary of Great Expectations
 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is a story that
focuses on the life of a young boy named Pirrip who
seeks to obtain the affection of young girl Estella. As he
quickly learns, during the Victorian age, wealth
determines an individuals place in society. He vows to
escalate himself up the social ladder and become a
gentleman. His ultimate goal is to win the affection of
the lovely Estella.

6. Identify Themes within
Great Expectations.
 Social Themes
 Pips desire to become a gentleman and climb the
social ladder.
 Inheritance
 Pips desire to maintain a relationship with Joe
regardless of Pips success.
 Political Themes
 Mrs. Havisham’s desire to mold Estella in her image to
break the hearts of men.

7. Conclusion
Charles Dickens may have drawn upon his fathers
own desire to maintain a position within the social
scene. His father’s desire to maintain his position
eventually lead to his fathers time in debtors prison.
This may have been his basis for this story.

8. A Christmas Carol
“Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.”

9. Summary of a Christmas Carol
 One of Charles Dickens most famous and loved
story is a Christmas Carol. This story is more a moral
than it is a story of themes. Ebenezer Scrooge is a
business owner who only thinks of turning a profit and
cares nothing for his employee Mr. Cratchit. Mr.
Scrooges evil ways have prompted three spirits to show
him his mistakes and what will come of him if he
doesn't fix his wicked ways.

10. Themes Identified in a
Christmas Carol
 Social Themes
 Mr. Scrooges treatment of his employee Mr. Cratchit.
 Mr. Cratchit’s meager living conditions and the that
his son will die if Mr. Scrooge dosen’t pay him better.
 Mr. Scrooges dislike for human life.
 Political Themes
 Low wages for Mr. Cratchit
 No government regulation on industry.

11. Conclusion of a Christmas Carol
 A Christmas Carol is a story that is a more a moral
story or warning to those who were in charge of the
industrial era. Charles was a child when he worked
inside the factories and probably knew of number of
people who could’ve been the persona of Mr. Scrooge.
Scrooge was the personification of capitalism and the
three spirits of Christmas gave him the option to
change his future only if he changed his wicked ways.

12. David Copperfield
"It's in vain, Trot, to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present."

13. Summary of David Copperfield
 David Copperfield is one Charles Dickens most
personal stories. David is a young boy who losses his
father at a young age and his mother remarries. David
and his stepfather Mr. Mudstone don’t see eye to eye
on things and David is sent away to boarding school.
David’s mother dies and the young lad is sent to work
in the factories. David experiences some misfortune
and sets out to seek his last remaining family. The
story continues on through his life and how he has
changed since his rough childhood.

14. Themes in David Copperfield
 Social Themes
 The loss of David’s mother lands him working in a
industrial factory.
 David’s life improves after he locates his aunt and lives
with her.
 The interaction between David and Mr. Mudstone is
not a very stable environment.
 Political Themes
 Debtors are sent to prison once they are declared
bankrupt.
 No government regulation on child exploitation.

15. Conclusion of David Copperfield
 Dickens story is clearly a reflection upon his
difficult life growing up as a child. David's life develops
just as Charles did as a child. Much of the experiences
that are portrayed in this story were experienced by
Charles Dickens. He drew upon his own experiences
and produce an autobiographical story of his own life.

16. What have we learned about
Charles Dickens
 His views on society as a whole were significant
influences in his work.
 He wrote from his experiences as a child and in his
adult life.
 Many of the social problems that exited during his
time were the basis for many of his stories.
 There was the potential that he hoped society would
change its wicked ways and that things would improve
eventually.
 He championed human rights.

17. Questions and Answers?