Sloppy is an orphan boy who lives with Mrs. Higden. He helps her take care of the other children and reads the newspaper to her using different voices, even though he has a learning disability. He is adopted by the Boffins and assists Mr. Boffin...
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend, Dickens' last novel, addresses the issues of money, social class, and human values. John Harmon, heir to his father's fortune made as a dust collector, pretends to be dead in order to find out what people thought about him. He...
She is the elderly housekeeper of Arthur Gride. She is short, very skinny, palsy-stricken and hideously ugly. She is almost deaf and can barely hear anything. She is jealous that her master is getting married and afraid that she will be put out...
Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The
Nicholas Nickleby, Dickens' third novel, is about social injustice in England. Nicholas Nickleby's father dies and the family, Nicholas, sister Kate, and their mother, are forced to move to London to ask for assistance from their Uncle Ralph...
Proprietor of a circus. "Last of all appeared Mr. Sleary, a stout man as already mentioned, with one eye fixed and one loose eye; a voice (if it can be called so) like the efforts of a broken old pair of bellows; a flabby surface, and a...
Hard Times
A satire on Utilitarianism set in a provincial industrial town, portraying the dreariness of life for industrial workers, the hopelessness of decent people trapped in a failed marriage, and the fallacy of mechanical theories of human nature
A guest at the Rochester Charity Ball. "One of the most popular personages, in his own circle, present was a little fat man, with a ring of upright black hair round his head, and an extensive bald plain on the top of it, -Doctor Slammer,...
Pickwick Papers, The
A series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
The socialist orator at Coketown, who succeeded in driving Stephen Blackpoll from the place
Hard Times
A satire on Utilitarianism set in a provincial industrial town, portraying the dreariness of life for industrial workers, the hopelessness of decent people trapped in a failed marriage, and the fallacy of mechanical theories of human nature
This is a man who is never named in the story. He befriends Dick, Kit and the Garlands. He rents a room from Sampson Brass
Old Curiosity Shop, The
This novel is Dickens's fourth novel, and one of two novels Dickens wrote for the short-lived magazine Master Humphrey's Clock, begun in March 1840 and finished in January 1941. It was published as a separate book in 1841. The novel tells the story...
Bill Sikes is a burglar and thief who works with Fagin. He murders his girlfriend Nancy after Fagin convinces him that she has betrayed all of them. He runs away and accidentally hangs himself while trying to escape during the manhunt
Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist, or The Parish Boy's Progress, is the second novel written by Charles Dickens. The story is about the life of an orphan boy named Oliver Twist. His mother dies giving birth to him and his father is unknown so Oliver lives a miserable...
"Clad in an old rusty and threadbare black cloth, which shines with constant wear as if it had been waxed. The trousers tightly strapped down, partly for the look of the thing and partly to keep his old shoes from slipping off at the heels,...
Shabby-genteel People
A series of papers of a humorous character dealing with life and scenes, chiefly in London, at the time of publication and the earlier part of the nineteenth century
Ebenezer Scrooge is a bitter, miserly old man who gets a warning to change his ways before it is too late
Christmas Carol, A
A Christmas Carol, is a novella that was first published in December 1843. The main character, Ebenezer Scrooge is a bitter, miserly old man who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. He wants to help Scrooge reform...
Mr. Scadder is an agent of the Eden Settlement. He is an unscrupulous American who sells swamp land to young Martin Chuzzlewit. Dickens says "every time he spoke something was seen to twitch and jerk up in his throat, like the little hammers...
Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, The
Martin Chuzzlewit appeared in monthly parts, January 1843-July 1844, as Charles Dickens' sixth novel. The novel was not as successful as earlier novels, although Dickens thought it was best of his stories to that point. Dickens' 1842 trip to...
Mr. Scadder is an agent of the Eden Settlement. He is an unscrupulous American who sells swamp land to young Martin Chuzzlewit. Dickens says "every time he spoke something was seen to twitch and jerk up in his throat, like the little hammers...
Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
Martin Chuzzlewit appeared in monthly parts, January 1843-July 1844, as Charles Dickens' sixth novel. The novel was not as successful as earlier novels, although Dickens thought it was best of his stories to that point. Dickens' 1842 trip to...
A medical student at Gray's Hospital. "Mr. Bob Sawyer, who was habited in a coarse blue coat, which, without being either a great-coat or a surtout, partook of the nature and qualities of both, had about him that sort of slovenly smartness and...
Pickwick Papers, The
A series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
Medical student at Gray's Hospital. Mr. Bob Sawyer, who was habited in a coarse blue coat, which, without being either a great-coat or a surtout, partook of the nature and qualities of both, had about him that sort of slovenly smartness and...
Pickwick Papers, The
Series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
Barnaby Rudge is a simple-minded, loving son of Rudge who murders his master, Mr. Reuben Haredale, for his money. Barnaby joins the Gordon Riots despite his mother's frantic pleas and becomes an enthusiastic participant. He is arrested and...
Barnaby Rudge
Barnaby Rudge is the fifth novel which was begun in 1839 and finished in 1841. It is also the first of Dickens's two historical novels. This novel is based on the anti-Catholic riots - the Gordon Riots - instigated by Lord George Gordon in 1780,...
Barnaby Rudge is a simple-minded, loving son of Rudge who murders his master, Mr. Reuben Haredale, for his money. Barnaby joins the Gordon Riots despite his mother's frantic pleas and becomes an enthusiastic participant. He is arrested and...
Barnaby Rudge
Barnaby Rudge is the fifth novel which was begun in 1839 and finished in 1841. It is also the first of Dickens's two historical novels. This novel is based on the anti-Catholic riots - the Gordon Riots - instigated by Lord George Gordon in 1780,...
The tipstaff who conveyed Mr. Pickwick to the Fleet prison. "The hackney coach jolted along Fleet Street as hackney coaches usually do. Mr. Pickwick sat opposite the tipstaff; and the tipstaff sat with his hat beneath his knees, whistling a...
Pickwick Papers, The
A series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
A bar parlour orator. "A stoutish man of about forty, whose short stiff black hair curled closely round a broad high forehead, and a face to which something besides water and exercise had communicated a rather inflamed appearance"
Parlour Orator, The
A series of papers of a humorous character dealing with life and scenes, chiefly in London, at the time of publication and the earlier part of the nineteenth century
Son of Polly Toodle, Paul the Younger's nurse. His father is a railway engineer. His parents send him to Charitable Grinders school, and he later works for Captain Cuttle and Mr. James Carker
Dombey and Son
First published as a 20 part monthly serial, Dombey and Son is the tale of Paul Dombey, a wealthy shipping merchant who desires a son. His wife dies giving birth to this son, Paul the Younger, who Dombey focuses all his affection on at the expense...
Son of Polly Toodle, Paul the Younger's nurse. His father is a railway engineer. His parents send him to Charitable Grinders school, and he later works for Captain Cuttle and Mr. James Carker
Dombey and Son
First published as a 20 part monthly serial, Dombey and Son is the tale of Paul Dombey, a wealthy shipping merchant who desires a son. His wife dies giving birth to this son, Paul the Younger, who Dombey focuses all his affection on at the expense...
The novel's villain who attempts to blackmail Mrs. Clennam. As a result, her house falls on him
Little Dorrit
Little Dorrit was originally published in 20 parts in 19 monthly installments, with the last two parts published in a double installment. William Dorrit, father of the title character, Amy, has been sent to Marshalsea debtor's prison in London,...
The former partner of Gaffer Hexam, he accuses Gaffer of killing John Harmon in an attempt to collect the reward money. He then becomes a lock keeper. After he finds out that Bradley Headstone tried to murder Eugene Wrayburn, he attempts to...
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend, Dickens' last novel, addresses the issues of money, social class, and human values. John Harmon, heir to his father's fortune made as a dust collector, pretends to be dead in order to find out what people thought about him. He...
The former partner of Gaffer Hexam, he accuses Gaffer of killing John Harmon in an attempt to collect the reward money. He then becomes a lock keeper. After he finds out that Bradley Headstone tried to murder Eugene Wrayburn, he attempts to...
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend, Dickens' last novel, addresses the issues of money, social class, and human values. John Harmon, heir to his father's fortune made as a dust collector, pretends to be dead in order to find out what people thought about him. He...
He is an older Jewish man who earns a living as a manager of Pubsey and Co., a money lending business. He has a beard and long grey hair. He is kind, honest, and very patient. He helps care for Jenny Wren and Lizzie Hexam
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend, Dickens' last novel, addresses the issues of money, social class, and human values. John Harmon, heir to his father's fortune made as a dust collector, pretends to be dead in order to find out what people thought about him. He...
Little Nell is the novel's main character. Portrayed as infallibly good and angelic, she is devoted to her grandfather as he is to her. She leads her grandfather on their journey to save them from misery, and is protective of him on their...
Mr. Redlaw is the main character in this novella. He is a chemistry instructor who often broods over grief from his past. After a Phantom removes his power of memory on Christmas Eve, he becomes wrathful and spreads his bitterness to others. Milly...
Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain, The
The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain is the fifth and last of Dickens's long stories with a Christmas theme. This book, which is centered around a chemist and lecturer Redlaw, is more about the spirit of the holidays than about the holidays...
Mr. Redlaw is the main character in this novella. He is a chemistry instructor who often broods over grief from his past. After a Phantom removes his power of memory on Christmas Eve, he becomes wrathful and spreads his bitterness to others. Milly...
Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain, The
This is the fifth and last of Dickens's long stories with a Christmas theme. This book, which is centered around a chemist and lecturer Redlaw, is more about the spirit of the holidays than about the holidays themselves. Redlaw often broods over...
Mr. Daniel Quilp is the primary villain in the novel. He mistreats his wife and manipulates other people to his own ends. He lends money to Mr. Trent for his gambling. When Mr. Trent is not able to pay back the money, he seizes the Old Curiosity...
Old Curiosity Shop, The
The Old Curiosity Shop is Dickens's fourth novel, and one of two novels Dickens wrote for the short-lived magazine Master Humphrey's Clock, begun in March 1840 and finished in January 1941. It was published as a separate book in 1841. The novel...
Daniel Quilp is the primary villain in the novel. He mistreats his wife and manipulates other people to his own ends. He lends money to Mr. Trent for his gambling. When Mr. Trent is not able to pay back the money, he seizes the Old Curiosity Shop...
Old Curiosity Shop, The
This novel is Dickens's fourth novel, and one of two novels Dickens wrote for the short-lived magazine Master Humphrey's Clock, begun in March 1840 and finished in January 1941. It was published as a separate book in 1841. The novel tells the story...
Mr. Pumblechook is Joe Gargery's uncle. He is a bachelor corn merchant. Pumblechook was Pip's first connection to Miss Havisham. Pumblechook attempts to pass himself off as Pip's benefactor. He is portrayed as a hypocrite
Great Expectations
Great Expectations is Dickens's 13th novel. It appeared in monthly installments from December 1860 to August 1961 in the periodical All the Year Round. It was also published in the United States in Harper's Weekly. It is one of Dickens's best...
Mrs. Betsey Prig is a nurse at St. Bartholomew's Hospital and friend of Mrs. Gamp. "Mrs. Prig was of the Gamp build, but not so fat; and her voice was deeper and more like a man's. She had also a beard." Mrs. Prig and Mrs. Gamp often...
Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, The
Martin Chuzzlewit appeared in monthly parts, January 1843-July 1844, as Charles Dickens' sixth novel. The novel was not as successful as earlier novels, although Dickens thought it was best of his stories to that point. Dickens' 1842 trip to...
Mrs. Betsey Prig is a nurse at St. Bartholomew's Hospital and friend of Mrs. Gamp. "Mrs. Prig was of the Gamp build, but not so fat; and her voice was deeper and more like a man's. She had also a beard." Mrs. Prig and Mrs. Gamp often...
Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
Martin Chuzzlewit appeared in monthly parts, January 1843-July 1844, as Charles Dickens' sixth novel. The novel was not as successful as earlier novels, although Dickens thought it was best of his stories to that point. Dickens' 1842 trip to...
A boisterous city clerk; friend of Smithers. "Mr. Thomas Potter then was a clerk in the city, and Mr. Robert Smithers was a ditto in the same; their incomes were limited, but their friendship was unbounded; they lived in the same street,...
Making a Night of It
A series of papers of a humorous character dealing with life and scenes, chiefly in London, at the time of publication and the earlier part of the nineteenth century
The editor of the Eatanswill Gazette. "A tall, thin man, with a sandy-coloured head inclined to baldness, and a face in which solemn importance was blended with a look of unfathomable profundity"
Pickwick Papers, The
A series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
Editor of the Eatanswill Gazette. A tall, thin man, with a sandy-coloured head inclined to baldness, and a face in which solemn importance was blended with a look of unfathomable profundity
Pickwick Papers, The
Series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
Honourable Elijah Pogram is a member of U.S. Congress. Young Martin Chuzzlewit and Mark Tapley meet him on their return trip to New York City from Eden. He is considered a great orator by fellow Americans. He is described as having a muddy...
Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
Martin Chuzzlewit appeared in monthly parts, January 1843-July 1844, as Charles Dickens' sixth novel. The novel was not as successful as earlier novels, although Dickens thought it was best of his stories to that point. Dickens' 1842 trip to...
A friend of the Veneerings, she is the wife of John Podsnap and has a daughter named Georgiana. She is a fine woman from a wealthy family with hard features
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend, Dickens' last novel, addresses the issues of money, social class, and human values. John Harmon, heir to his father's fortune made as a dust collector, pretends to be dead in order to find out what people thought about him. He...
He is a wealthy upper middle class man who has an inheritance and married a woman with an inheritance. His occupation is in Marine Insurance. He is very satisfied with himself and feels that he sets a brilliant social example. He is the father...
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend, Dickens' last novel, addresses the issues of money, social class, and human values. John Harmon, heir to his father's fortune made as a dust collector, pretends to be dead in order to find out what people thought about him. He...
Caleb Plummer, a poor toymaker, is employed by Gruff and Tackleton. He has two children: a blind daughter Bertha and a son Edward. Dickens described him as little, meager, thoughtful, and dingy-faced. Caleb deceives Bertha by leading to her to...
Cricket on the Hearth, The
In 1845, Dickens planned a periodical about home life called Cricket. The plan did not materialize, so he turned the idea into The Cricket on the Hearth, a book with a domestic setting. This was published as Dickens' third Christmas book by...
Caleb Plummer, a poor toymaker, is employed by Gruff and Tackleton. He has two children: a blind daughter Bertha and a son Edward. Dickens described him as little, meager, thoughtful, and dingy-faced. Caleb deceives Bertha by leading to her to...
Cricket on the Hearth, The
In 1845, Dickens planned a periodical about home life called Cricket. The plan did not materialize, so he turned the idea into The Cricket on the Hearth, a book with a domestic setting. This was published as Dickens' third Christmas book by...
Plornish is a plasterer who formerly was imprisoned at Marshalsea's debtor prison. Upon leaving the prison, his wife and two children move to Bleeding Heart Yard
Little Dorrit
Little Dorrit was originally published in 20 parts in 19 monthly installments, with the last two parts published in a double installment. William Dorrit, father of the title character, Amy, has been sent to Marshalsea debtor's prison in London,...
Plornish is a plasterer who formerly was imprisoned at Marshalsea's debtor prison. Upon leaving the prison, his wife and two children move to Bleeding Heart Yard
Little Dorrit
Little Dorrit was originally published in 20 parts in 19 monthly installments, with the last two parts published in a double installment. William Dorrit, father of the title character, Amy, has been sent to Marshalsea debtor's prison in London,...
Owns the boarding house in Brighton where Paul the Younger and Florence stay for a while. Paul Dombey later hires her to be his housekeeper
Dombey and Son
First published as a 20 part monthly serial, Dombey and Son is the tale of Paul Dombey, a wealthy shipping merchant who desires a son. His wife dies giving birth to this son, Paul the Younger, who Dombey focuses all his affection on at the expense...
Owns the boarding house in Brighton where Paul the Younger and Florence stay for a while. Paul Dombey later hires her to be his housekeeper
Dombey and Son
First published as a 20 part monthly serial, Dombey and Son is the tale of Paul Dombey, a wealthy shipping merchant who desires a son. His wife dies giving birth to this son, Paul the Younger, who Dombey focuses all his affection on at the expense...
Pip, an orphan, is the protagonist and narrator of Great Expectations. When Pip meets Miss Havisham and Estella, he becomes unhappy with his life. He is glad to receive money from an unknown benefactor to go to London to become a gentleman. He...
Great Expectations
Great Expectations is Dickens's 13th novel. It appeared in monthly installments from December 1860 to August 1961 in the periodical All the Year Round. It was also published in the United States in Harper's Weekly. It is one of Dickens's best...
Tom Pinch is a devoted admirer and assistant to Mr. Pecksniff. He is a kindly, sweet-tempered fellow about 30; bald, ungainly, awkward-looking, and extremely short-sighted. He is the village organist. Mr. Pinch eventually leaves Mr. Pecksniff...
Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, The
Martin Chuzzlewit appeared in monthly parts, January 1843-July 1844, as Charles Dickens' sixth novel. The novel was not as successful as earlier novels, although Dickens thought it was best of his stories to that point. Dickens' 1842 trip to...
Tom Pinch is a devoted admirer and assistant to Mr. Pecksniff. He is a kindly, sweet-tempered fellow about 30; bald, ungainly, awkward-looking, and extremely short-sighted. He is the village organist. Mr. Pinch eventually leaves Mr. Pecksniff...
Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
Martin Chuzzlewit appeared in monthly parts, January 1843-July 1844, as Charles Dickens' sixth novel. The novel was not as successful as earlier novels, although Dickens thought it was best of his stories to that point. Dickens' 1842 trip to...
