Charles Dickens Research Paper

The life of Charles Dickens was one where struggle and a relentless pursuit for acclamation was expressed throughout his hardships and novels making him one of the world’s most progressed authors. By utilizing the memorable events of his life, Dickens was able to become a brilliant writer by relaying his life in different perspectives to correlate with his contrasting audience members. As a result, his novels will continue to forever be remembered and adored by his many fans.
In 1812, Charles Dickens was brought into the world by John Dickens and Elizabeth Barrow (Marks 1). Dickens was born as the second oldest of many other siblings in the city of Portsmouth (May 1; Marks 1). At first, Dickens lived a decent life in an immaculate home (Murphy
After living in London for a short period of time after recent moves, Charles Dickens’s father was placed in prison (Bloom 11). It is no secret to know that John Dickens longed to live a life that upperclassmen could afford, and this reason is the sole justification for his imprisonment. (Murphy 1). Struggling financially, Charles Dickens and his family were forced to provide for themselves. After being forced to quit school, Dickens found work in a warehouse polishing shoes (Murphy 1). Working in this warehouse caused the young Charles Dickens so much embarrassment and mortification that Daniel P. Murphy writes that “Dickens would later transmute the pain of these youthful experiences into the many descriptions of childhood adversity that appear in his novels” (Murphy 1). After a short period of time, Charles Dickens was soon placed back in school (May 1). A couple years later, Charles Dickens found work under the supervision of an attorney, and much later as a reporter (May 1). Murphy also states that “It was his work as a journalist that eventually set Dickens on the path to his literary career” (Murphy
With feeling the pressure of raising ten children, Dickens was said to have not been a very good father (Murphy 1). Once the children were of age, they were soon sent off to boarding school where they would continue their lives until graduation (Murphy 1). While continuing the marriage that would soon fail, Charles Dickens met Ellen Ternan (Murphy 1). In 1858 his affair with Ellen grew causing ruptures in his marriage and family life (Murphy 1). After paying Catherine off to leave, Dickens forced everyone in his life to end all relationship ties with his previous love (Murphy 1). Not only did Dickens publically question her mental health, but he also cut all ties with anyone who either believed that he was in the wrong or expressed any amount of sympathy for Catherine (Murphy 1). This relationship was also kept a secret to the public as it would be damaging to the writer’s career (Murphy 1). In addition, when his marriage with Catherine failed, Ellen Ternan was not the only woman whom Charles Dickens connected/reconnected with (Bloom 11). Harold Bloom wrote in his biography about Charles Dickens claiming that “Dickens never forgot Maria, and she served as the model for Dora in David Copperfield” (Bloom