Student Companion to Charles Dickens

by Ruth Glancy

Overview

Charles Dickens was the most popular writer of his age and is still considered one of the world's greatest novelists. This well-written study surveys his unusual and prolific life, relating his fiction writings to his concerns and active involvement with social conditions of early Victorian England. Glancy skillfully takes the reader back in time to appreciate the historical settings that inspired works like Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, and A Tale of Two Cities. An entire chapter is devoted to each of these works, as well as to David Copperfield, Hard Times, the Christmas books, and the early novels from The Pickwick Papers to Martin Chuzzlewit. In each chapter Glancy's analysis of plot, style, and character development bring these imaginative stories to life for the reader. This book examines Dickens's keen understanding of human nature and draws out the themes that make works such as A Christmas Carol as beloved today as when first written.

This companion to Dickens will aid students in understanding the social context and literary genius of one of the greatest Victorian novelists. The thorough biographical chapter traces Dickens' life from his childhood through the development of his multi-faceted literary career. The literary heritage chapter examines the tremendous influence Dickens exerted on writing then and now. This volume surveys all of Dickens' work and provides in-depth readings of five of his novels and his Christmas works. The series format makes analysis of setting, plot, character development, and themes for each work accessible to students. The alternate critical perspectives enhance readers' understanding of Dickens' work. The selected bibliography and reviews cover both original and contemporary sources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313306112
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/30/1999
Series:	Student Companions to Classic Writers
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.44(d)
Lexile:	1440L (what's this?)

About the Author

RUTH GLANCY is Associate Professor of English at Concordia University College of Alberta. She is author of several books and articles on Dickens including a companion to A Tale of Two Cities and two bibliographies. Best known for her work on Dickens and Christmas, she has edited his Christmas Books and Christmas Stories, and is regularly interviewed on the subject at Christmas time.

Table of Contents

The Life of Charles Dickens
Literary Heritage
The Early Novels from The Pickwick Papers (1837) to Martin Chuzzlewit (1844)
Oliver Twist (1838)
The Christmas Books and Christmas Stories
David Copperfield (1850)
Hard Times (1854)
A Tale of Two Cities (1859)
Great Expectations (1861)
The Other Novels from Dombey and Son (1848) to The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870)
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Gr 10 Up-Glancy opens with a concise, objective biography of the author's life, emphasizing those events that inspired his work. The second chapter discusses Dickens's literary influences and career. The remaining eight chapters are devoted to plot summaries, character examinations, discussions of thematic issues, explanations of literary devices, and critical readings. The latter include psychoanalytical and feminist criticism. The analyses of all of the major novels and short stories, with their academic, no-nonsense style, are what make this comprehensive student companion more useful than straight biographies or guides to the individual novels. However, the dry, scholarly language makes this volume best suited to students with some background in literature studies. However, obscure literary terms are defined when used, particularly in the "Stylistic and Literary Devices" sections. The well-organized bibliography is arranged by subject. This book fills a gap in collections with a need for beyond-the-basics literary research materials.-Toni D. Moore, Learning Resources Center, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

School Library Journal

A specialist on Dickens, Glancey (English, Concordia University College of Alberta) survey's his unusual and prolific life, and links his fiction to his concerns and active involvement with social conditions in early Victorian England. After chapters on his life and literary heritage, she looks at specific works, analyzing their plot, style, and character development. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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