Charles Dickens The Victorian era was an interesting time where many great stories and novels were created based on the poor living conditions. Some of the most notable Victorian novelist were Matthew Arnold, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Samuel Butler, however, the most renowned and critiqued author was said to be Charles Dickens. Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth, England and died June 9th in 1870 (Cody, David). When he was twelve, his father was thrown in jail for being in debt, as a result he had to work at Warren’s Blacking factory at the prison to help pay for his father’s release. When their financial situation began to improve, Charles's mother insisted that he continue to work at the factory, …show more content…
Innumerable Jews complained about Fagin being portrayed as the evil Jew. With his most grotesque and villainous ways. Charles continued with his innocence and believed this was true at the time, however several years later in the 1867 edition Fagin is referred to as “the Jew” more than 250 times. However, in later chapters he is referred to as “the Jew” only 32 times. This was suppose to be Charles attempt to placate Fagin’s character in the book (Unknown Author). Newspaper articles question the worth of the characters such as Nancy and William Thackeray stating that they do not deserve the attention of the readers because they look upon the lower class without sympathy. Critics believed that they should have made more worthier characters with more sympathy towards the lower class. Other critics believed that Oliver Twist was the exact painting of the world at the time. Complementing Charles for his vivid description and geniuses upon writing the book. The Spectator praises Dickens for his emotion, passion and self experience with conveying the truth. The Literary Gazette, claims that the book digs deep into the human mind forcing us to think about the workings of others. The Quarterly Review says that Dickens writes with a vigor and such passion that it forces people to read the book. Saying “He deals purely with human nature, which never can degrade; he takes up everything, good, bad, or indifferent, which he works up into a rich alluvial deposit. He is natural, and that never can be ridiculous” (Dickens 406). Many would say that Oliver Twist is a true example of the gangs, thieves, orphans and underbellies of those times. Showing the true pain and suffering children go through on a everyday bases during those harsh times. Although many people had much to say about the Book Oliver Twist, it still gained a lot of attention and was very popular due to the realism that