Module 3 LiteraturePeriod 9 Task—Preparing a fact file on Charles Dickens■ Goal ● To learn to make a file■ ProceduresStep 1: Surf the Internet for related information Step 2: Make a display of your fact file More about Charles Dickens Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on 7th February 1812, the second of eight children. His father was a government clerk who was put in prison for three months for debt. After working in a factory and his father’ release from prison, Dickens was sent to school. At 15, he started working in a firm of attorneys in London’s Gray’s Inn. Dickens taught himself shorthand and in 1834 he became a reporter for debates in Parliament for the Morning Chronicle newspaper. In 1836 he married Catherine Hogarth, with whom he had ten children. His first novel was The Pickwick Papers which became a national success. Like all of his subsequent novels, it was published serially in parts, and also very cheaply. It was only published as a complete novel later. His novels then flowed in quick succession: Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop, and Barnaby Rudge. Dickens then visited America, and had a triumphant reception; however he was disillusioned by the young republic. He wrote about his experiences in America Notes. He published first, and most famous, of his Christmas Books—A Christmas Carol in 1843, followed by Martin Chuzlewit. He traveled in Europe—Italy, Switzerland and Paris in the period 1844—1846, and on his return wrote Dombey and Son and David Copperfield which were more serious and better planned than his earlier novels. In 1850 he founded his weekly magazine Household Words. In his later works, Dickens’ social criticism became str...
