Analyzing the Portrayal of Children’s Issues in some of Charles Dickens’ literary Works

Abstract

This research aimed at analyzing the portrayal of children’s issues in Charles Dickens’ literary works. Three novels were selected as samples; David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and Great Expectations. The researcher has adopted the descriptive analytical method to analyze the three novels. Also the Marxist literary theory was followed as a criterion in analyzing the novels in terms of social and economic approaches. Accordingly, the researcher has come up with a number of findings among them are; Dickens’ works are effective means for criticizing social, economic, and moral issues in nineteenth century and to some extent the present time. The compassion and empathy portrayed in Dickens’ works had developed the readers’ social awareness to sympathize with any defenseless person. Also the orphan children suffered more oppression and negligence; they neither enjoyed good health, nor acquired better education. In addition Child’s labor existed, because children are ideal factory and chimneys workers, they are obedient, submissive, likely to respond to punishment and unlikely to form unions. The researcher has also found that Dickens is the pioneer in struggling for children’s rights by depicting their issues and making them visible to every reader. Furthermore the researcher has recommended a number of recommendations among them are; literary works should be taught to all students so that they can develop both linguistic abilities, and social culture. Finally the researcher has suggested some topics for further studies such as analyzing words of wisdom in Charles Dickens’ writing style.