Charles Dickens is one of the most widely read authors in English literature. This Companion,comprising essays written by leading Dickensian scholars from around the world,places Dickens's writings in their literary and historical contexts and offers the factual and referential knowledge to enable readers to approach his works with insight and understanding.

Charles Dickens is one of the most widely read authors in English literature. This Companion,comprising essays written by leading Dickensian scholars from around the world,places Dickens's writings in their literary and historical contexts and offers the factual and referential knowledge to enable readers to approach his works with insight and understanding.

Through Dickens's letters,journalism,and fiction,chapters examine the literary,visual,historical,ideological,and social forces that defined the world of his fiction. Individual essays explore a broad range of topics,including the role of illustrations in his novels,the literary tradition Dickens inherited,his unique facility with language,his uses of history,and the extent to which Christian assumptions shaped him as a writer. Other contributions assess his attitude towards technology,the United States,law,gender,and political and social reform,while essays treating biographical matters and surveying Dickens criticism complete the volume. This unique Companion will help readers better understand Dickens's work and will be an invaluable resource for students and professionals alike.

List of Illustrations

Notes on Contributors

Preface

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Part I: Perspectives on the Life:

1.A Sketch of the Life: Michael Allen

2.Dickens's Use of the Autobiographical Fragment: Nicola Bradbury (University of Reading)

3.'Faithfully Yours,Charles Dickens': The Epistolary Art of the Inimitable: David Paroissien (University of Massachusetts,Amherst)

4.Three Major Biographies: Catherine Peters

Part II: Literary/Cultural Contexts:

5.The Eighteenth-century Legacy: Monika Fludernik (University of Freiburg)

6.Dickens and the Gothic: Robert Mighall

7.Illustrations: Malcolm Andrews (University of Kent)

8.The Language of Dickens: Patricia Ingham (St.Anne's College,Oxford)

9.The Novels and Popular Culture: Juliet John (University of Liverpool)

Part III: English History Contexts:

10.Dickens as a Reformer: Hugh Cunningham (University of Kent)

11.Dickens's Evolution as a Journalist: John M.L.Drew (University of Buckingham)

12.Dickens and Gender: Natalie McKnight (Boston University)

13.Dickens and Technology: Trey Philpotts (Arkansas Tech University)

14.Dickens and America (1842): Nancy Aycock Metz (Virginia University Tech)

15.Dickens and Government Ineptitude Abroad,1854-1865: Leslie Mitchell (University College,Oxford)

16.Dickens and the Uses of History: John Gardiner (Highsted Grammar School)

17.Dickens and Christianity: Valentine Cunningham (Corpus Christi,Oxford)

18.Dickens and the Law: Jan-Melissa Schramm (Trinity Hall,Cambridge)

Part IV: The Fiction:

19.The Pickwick Papers: David Parker (Kingston University)

20.Oliver Twist: Brian Cheadle

21.Nicholas Nickleby: Stanley Friedman (City University of New York)

22.The Old Curiosity Shop: Gill Ballinger (University of the West of England)

23.Barnaby Rudge: Jon Mee (University of Warwick)

24.Martin Chuzzlewit: Goldie Morgentaler (University of Lethbridge)

25.Dombey and Son: Brigid Lowe (Trinity College,Cambridge)

26.David Copperfield: Gareth Cordery (University of Canterbury,New Zealand)

27.Bleak House: Robert Tracy (University of California,Berkeley)

28.Hard Times: Anne Humpherys (City University of New York)

29.Little Dorrit: Philip Davis (University of Liverpool)

30.A Tale of Two Cities: Paul Davis (University of New Mexico)

31.Great Expectations: Andrew Sanders (Durham University)

32.Our Mutual Friend: Leon Litvack (Queen's University,Belfast)

33.The Mystery of Edwin Drood: Simon J.James (Durham University)

Part V: Reputation and Influence:

34.Dickens and the Literary Culture of the Period: Michael Hollington (University of Toulouse-Le Mirail)

35.Dickens and Criticism: Lyn Pykett (Aberystwyth University)

36.Postcolonial Dickens: John O.Jordan (University of California,Santa Cruz)

Index