Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens is one of the most striking figures in the history of English literature. He rose from the humblest position in life to be a great and popular writer.He began his literary career as a reporter, writing sketches of London life for various newspapers. He made his name with the publication of "Pickwick Papers" in 1836. The novel "Nicholas Nickleby" was also in the same strain where a number of adventures were connected by the characters. "David Copperfield" was published in 1849-50. A systematic attempt at a coherent plot is found for the first time in "Bleak House" in 1852-53. His other great planned novels are "A Tale of Two Cities" in 1861.
Dickens is unsurprised in humour, descriptive power and vitality of his characterization. His built his novels on the picaresque plan. His characters are mere caricatures but they have been immortalized by their humour. He makes use of the novel to attack the existing social system. He took upon himself the cause of the weak and oppressed. thus he became one of the greatest social reformers of the age.