In the 30s and 40s of the 19th century, critical realism was gaining ground in the English literature as a leading direction. By the time of the fullest flowering of the Chartist movement, which occurred in the second half of the 1940s, this literary trend reaches its highest point of development.
A bright representative of English critical realism of the 19th century was Charles Dickens. One can even say that Dickens` work is the pride of England and can be called an epochal period in the development of its literary tradition.
In the world literature, Dickens entered as a writer who took an active part in creating a social and realistic novel, as his works clearly showed the abyss separating representatives of the stratum of the poor from the class of wealthy people. Along with this, Dickens became known to readers around the world as an outstanding satirist and humorist.
Aesthetic views and moral convictions of Dickens were formed in the 1830s when England experienced a difficult period associated with a violent class struggle and activating of the Chartists movement.
It should be noted that Dickens did not support the ideas and principles of Chartists, but he felt sympathy for the working people and was indignant at their poor material condition. One can even say that the works of this writer were a reflection of the class struggle that unfolded before his eyes. His novels became a literary contribution to the war that the English were waging against the order established in the bourgeois social system.
At the same time, the connection of Dickens' novels with the works of his predecessors Defoe and Fielding is traced too. The principles and ideas laid down in the enlightening novelism were put by Dickens in a new form, which was created by the changes that took place in England in the 19th century. Further logical development of this form in the works of Dickens and Thackeray led to the fact that realism firmly occupied an important place in English literature.
Charles Dickens in his novels showed an extensive panorama of English life in the 19th century and a number of contradictions that were characteristic of that time. Being a critic of reality, Dickens sought to ensure that his works not only cured society of numerous diseases but also significantly improved the lives of contemporaries and descendants.
At the same time, Dickens not only attacked the rulers and rich people with satirical accusations but also showed himself as a kind comrade of commoners. He managed to see in the inner world of poor people such qualities as kindness and unselfishness.
Charles Dickens sincerely believed that a person is born good and decent. Perhaps, therefore, he did not seek to create a new society and did not support the revolutionary ideas. However, at the same time he firmly believed in the rightness of the common people, defended their rights and fought for them. It's no wonder that Dickens's humanism and democracy, which were reflected in his works, made him a classic of English literature and a world-famous writer.
