Charles Dickens: Victorian Satire

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870), pen name "Boz" is perhaps one of the most well-read and popular English novelists. Many of Dickens’s works constitute a humorous yet visceral satire of the Victorian age (1832-1901) although the plot of some his early novels address British society from as early as the 1780s. In his satiric vision of society Dickens attacks the social and economic horrors of the Industrial Revolution (late 18th century and the early l9th century). His memorable characters and intricate storylines often function as a stinging social commentary that has occasionally engendered social reform. His popularity as a writer continues until today witnessed by the fact that none of his works have gone out of print.