Denton Dickens Fellowship

  • Home
  • About
    • About the Dickens Fellowships
    • Conferences
    • Become a Member
    • The Life of Charles Dickens
    • Chronology of Dickens Fiction
    • Dr. J. Don Vann – Biography
  • Program Calendar
  • Articles
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Archives for Chronology of Dickens Fiction

Dickens as a Fiction Writer

Charles Dickens completed 14 novels and started another. None of them has so far vanished into obscurity. One or two are considered to be among the greatest novels of all time. Dickens wrote numerous shorter works of fiction, including five Christmas books, among which A Christmas Carol stands out as a masterpiece, regularly read and interpreted to this day. Below are some short introductions to the novels and to A Christmas Carol, in the order in which they were written.

The Pickwick Papers (1836-1837)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

A rambling tale about the adventures of the naive good-natured Mr Pickwick and his travelling companions. The streetwise Sam Weller, recruited along the way by Pickwick, helps them to survive. Full of fun, capturing the exuberant spirit of the young Dickens, this work built on his earlier Sketches by Boz to catapult him to fame and is still one of the best loved books in English Literature. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

Oliver Twist (1837-1839)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

With a serious theme, to expose the abuse and corruption suffered by children, this second major work is nevertheless full of humour, but of a satirical kind. The orphan Oliver Twist manages to survive the worst that the authorities and criminal fraternity put him through. The scene of Oliver's plea in the workhouse for more to eat is familiar to countless millions, even to those who have never … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

Nicholas Nickleby (1838-1839)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

A tale of how the young Nicholas Nickleby and his sister make good after they and their mother are left penniless. Following a bad start working under Wackford Squeers, the cruel schoolmaster of a Yorkshire boarding school, Nicholas comes eventually to thrive, thanks in great measure to the help of Newman Noggs, clerk to his hateful uncle, and to the goodwill of the Cheeryble brothers, benevolent … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

The Old Curiosity Shop (1840-1841)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

This story, written for the shortlived magazine Master Humphrey's Clock, has a young girl, Little Nell, fleeing with her grandfather from the clutches of the repulsive Quilp, a malicious moneylender. Their flight exposes them to a variety of experiences and characters, many having to do with the vagabonds and itinerant entertainers of the time. The death of Little Nell is among the best known … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

Barnaby Rudge (1841)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

The first of Dickens's two historical novels, set in the period that led up to the Gordon Riots of 1780 against Roman Catholicism. Barnaby is a half-witted young man who becomes caught up in the mayhem, but escapes the gallows through the intervention of Gabriel Varden, a locksmith. Dolly Varden, the coquettish daughter of Gabriel, is a creation whose name was subsequently used for a style of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-1844)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

Selfishness, as typified by the young Martin Chuzzlewit, and hypocrisy, as typified by Mr Seth Pecksniff, who purports to be an architect, are among the themes of this work. Martin is chastened and humbled by his experiences in the USA, which Dickens portrays as a country full of vulgar, brash and boastful people. This work contains one of Dickens's great creations: the often intoxicated Mrs … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

A Christmas Carol (1843)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

The first of five Christmas books written by Dickens in the 1840s, this is one of the best known and best loved of all his works. It tells of the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a tight-fisted curmudgeon to a generous and genial man. This is brought about by a haunting and visions at Christmas that remind him of happier days, demonstrate the generous spirit of others in adversity, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

Dombey and Son (1846-1848)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

Pervading this work are the pride and cold-hearted obduracy of Mr Paul Dombey Senior, a businessman. Following the death of his first wife, he invests all of his hopes in Paul, their only son, neglecting their daughter, Florence. But the fragile boy dies. Dombey marries again, but his will is thwarted by stubborn resistance and treachery, and he loses his fortune. A broken man, he is eventually … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

David Copperfield (1848-1850)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

This story, narrated in the first person, of a man who becomes a successful author, is partially autobiographical. It is generally considered to be a masterpiece. Leo Tolstoy, who was greatly influenced by it in his early writing, accorded it the highest of rankings. The quality of writing is especially evident in the description of a storm. Among a number of memorable characters is that of Mr … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

Bleak House (1851-1853)

January 27, 2014 By Denton Dickens Fellowship staff

A prolonged law case concerning the distribution of an estate, which brings misery and ruin to the suitors but great profit to the lawyers, is the foundation for this story. Told in part through the eyes of the principal character, Esther Summerson, it is a complex one involving a good many secrets, a murder and a number of investigators. Among these is a professional detective, Inspector Bucket. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chronology of Dickens Fiction

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Log In

Search This Website

Websites Related to Dickens

  • Central Dickens Fellowship
  • Charles Dickens Museum
  • Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum
  • The Dickens Universe
  • The Victorian Web

Have you also read?

Chronology of Charles Dickens

May 20, 2014 By J. Don Vann

Charles Dickens - An Extraordinary Life 1812 – Charles John Huffam Dickens, born on February 7 in Portsmouth, England. His father, John Dickens, was a clerk in the Royal Navy Pay Office. 1812-1824 … [Read More...]

Dickens and the Law

May 21, 2014 By J. Don Vann

Dickens’ first experience with the law probably came in 1824 when his father, John Dickens, was arrested for debt and imprisoned in the Marshalsea Prison. After six months John Dickens was released , … [Read More...]

Denton Dickens Fellowship

Established in 1988, the Denton Dickens Fellowship is dedicated to the study and enjoyment of the life and works of Charles Dickens.

Search This Website

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 The Denton Dickens Fellowship · All Rights Reserved · Log in