Sir Leicester Dedlock comes from a very old, respected family in the community and has the title of Baronet. He is married to a wife 20 years his junior and is so shocked by his wife's scandalous past that he has a very debilitating stroke when he...
Bleak House
Bleak House was the ninth novel written by Charles Dickens. He worked on it from November 1851 to August 1853. It was originally published in 20 monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853 and is considered to be one of his best...
The Stranger arrives at the Peerybingle house as one of John's deliveries. He appears to be old and hard of hearing. When no one comes to pick him up, he rents a bed from Peerybingles. He is revealed to be Edward Plummer, who had arrived in...
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...
The devious manager at Dombey and Son, Carker is 38-40 years old. He elopes with Edith Granger, Dombey's second wife. He is later killed when he is struck by a train
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...
After years abroad working in the family business, Arthur Clennam returns to England and befriends Amy Dorrit. He loses money in Mr. Merdle's banking scam and winds up in debtor's prison with Amy, where she cares for him when his health fails. He...
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 title character is the daughter of William Dorrit, she is born in Marshalsea debtor's prison. She befriends Arthur Clennam, whose mother employs her as a seamstress. When her father inherits a fortune she leaves the prison, but returns to nurse...
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,...
An inventor, Daniel Doyce partners with Arthur Clennam after he fails to get a patent from the Circumlocution Office. However, Clennam loses the firm's money when Mr. Merdle scams them in a banking scandal. Doyce patents the invention overseas and...
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,...
A banker with questionable morals, Merdle's schemes causes the Dorrits, Arthur Clennam, and others to lose a fortune. He commits suicide when his fraud is revealed
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 youngest gentleman boarder at Todgers's Commercial Boarding House, Augustus Moddle falls in love with Mercy Pecksniff. When she marries Jonas, Moddle proposes to older sister Charity Pecksniff. He is unwilling to face the sisters with the...
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, 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...
Jack Bamber is an attorney's clerk who frequently talks about the Inns of Court. He lives alone, almost in seclusion. He is a visionary and a good friend of Mr. Pickwick. When Master Humphrey's club needs an additional member to fill the six...
Master Humphrey's Clock; Pickwick Papers, The
Master Humphrey's Clock is a series of short stories written by Charles Dickens in 1840-1841. Master Humphrey forms a club of a few close friends which meets once a week in the room where his favorite clock is located. These friends place...
Reverend Crisparkle lives with his widowed mother and is a minor Canon at Cloisterham Cathedral. He mentors Neville Landless who is one of his pupils and tries to help him reconcile with Edwin Drood after their quarrel. He also believes Neville...
Mystery of Edwin Drood, The
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the fifteenth and final novel of Charles Dickens. He worked on it from October 1869 until June 1870 but it was left unfinished when he died. The main plot tells the story of a choirmaster named John Jasper who is in...
Dick Datchery appears to be a mysterious stranger in town but is actually an investigator who goes to Cloisterham after Edwin Drood's disappearance. He is particularly interested in John Jasper as a suspect
Mystery of Edwin Drood, The
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the fifteenth and final novel of Charles Dickens. He worked on it from October 1869 until June 1870 but it was left unfinished when he died. The main plot tells the story of a choirmaster named John Jasper who is in...
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...
The Deputy is a boy who works at the Travellers' Lodginghouse at Cloisterham. He becomes an ally of Inspector Datchery by asking questions and spying on people for him
Mystery of Edwin Drood, The
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the fifteenth and final novel of Charles Dickens. He worked on it from October 1869 until June 1870 but it was left unfinished when he died. The main plot tells the story of a choirmaster named John Jasper who is in...
Durdles works as a stonemason in Cloisterham and has an excellent knowledge of the crypts at the Cathedral. John Jasper gets him drunk one night so he can steal his keys to the burial vaults
Mystery of Edwin Drood, The
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the fifteenth and final novel of Charles Dickens. He worked on it from October 1869 until June 1870 but it was left unfinished when he died. The main plot tells the story of a choirmaster named John Jasper who is in...
Hiram Grewgious works as a lawyer and lives at Staple Inn. He is guardian of Rosa Bud and had been in love with her mother who is now deceased. He gives Edwin Drood a ring that had belonged to Rosa's mother following a provision made in her trust...
Mystery of Edwin Drood, The
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the fifteenth and final novel of Charles Dickens. He worked on it from October 1869 until June 1870 but it was left unfinished when he died. The main plot tells the story of a choirmaster named John Jasper who is in...
Mr. Sampson Brass is Mr. Quilp's legal advisor. He is an attorney, from Bevis Marks in the city of London, with no very good repute. He has a cringing manner, but a very harsh voice. He helps Mr. Quilp gain possession of Nell's grandfather's house,...
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...
Mr. Chuchster is Mr. Witherden's clerk. He shows his dislike to and looks down on Kit Nubbles by calling him "Snobby". He is a member of the Glorious Apollos
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...
Mr. Thomas Codlin is a Joint-proprietor with Short of a travelling Punch and Judy show
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...
Mr. Tope is the Chief Verger and Showman of Cloisterham Cathedral. He is also landlord of the place where John Jasper lives. Later he becomes the landlord of Dick Datchery who takes up lodging there so he can be near to and spy on John Jasper
Mystery of Edwin Drood, The
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the fifteenth and final novel of Charles Dickens. He worked on it from October 1869 until June 1870 but it was left unfinished when he died. The main plot tells the story of a choirmaster named John Jasper who is in...
Joe Jowl is a professional gambler whom Nell and her grandfather meet at the Valiant Soldier public house. He has a rough voice and is a "burly fellow of middle age, with large black whiskers, broad cheeks, a coarse wide mouth, and bull...
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...
The marchioness is a tiny, wretched and half-starved servant-maid hired by Sampson and Sally Brass. She knows neither her name nor her age. Dick Swiveller names her "the Marchioness" and marries her eventually. She tells Dick of the...
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...
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...
Mr. Dick Swiveller is Frederick Trent's manipulated friend, Sampson Brass's clerk and the Marchioness's guardian. He is fond of drink and tobacco and delighted in quoting and adapting literature to describe his situations. He is involved in Fred...
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...
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...
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...
Miss. Sally Brass is Mr. Sampson Brass's sister who is around 35 years old. To him, she is also a clerk, housekeeper, and an advisor. She is considered as the real authority in the Brass firm
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...
He was the office clerk for Mr. Mortimer Lightwood. He was very young and very dismal. He spent almost all of his time in the office, writing names in two volumes, even though his employer had only one client
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 wife of Mr. Boffin, she is cheerful and kind, with a broad figure. She loves fashion and high society. She convinces her husband to adopt Bella Wilfer, after the supposed death of John Harmon, and to adopt an orphan boy whom they plan 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...
Brewer is a constant companion of Boots and a friend of Mr. Veneering. He is often invited to their dinner parties and he also helps Mr. Veneering with his campaign
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 father of Bella Wilfer, who was engaged to marry John Harmon, he is a very poor clerk employed by Chicksey, Veneering, and Stobbles. He has a chubby, youthful appearance, although he has begun to grey. He is shy and would like to own one...
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 the owner of Pubsey and Co., a moneylending business, even though he is very young. He is thin with sandy colored hair, small eyes, and cheeks the color of peaches. He tries to arrange a marriage with Georgina Podsnap, but is unsuccessful. ...
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 a beautiful, dark girl about twenty years old. She rows the boat for her father, Gaffer Hexam, when he looks for dead bodies. She convinces her brother to leave home to go to school. She marries Eugene Wrayburn, a lawyer, after saving his...
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...
Former employee of Mr. Harmon, he inherited the Harmon fortune when the son was declared dead. Being uneducated, he hired a man to read to him. He moved into a new house, adopted Bella Wilfer as his daughter, and hired John Harmon as his secretary
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...
A childhood friend of Mortimer Lightwood and a friend of the Veneerings, she is an older woman with a drab oblong face. She is frequently invited to social dinners
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...
A newly rich man, he hosts dinner parties in which he invites people in society. He is forty years old with wavy hair and a stocky build. He becomes a member of parliament by buying the seat in a corrupt borough
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 wife of Hamilton Veneering, she has a fair complexion with an aquiline nose. She is beautiful and very enthusiastic. She hosts many society parties and has a new baby
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...
A street vendor, Mr. Wegg sits every day on the same corner selling gingerbread, fruit, and ballads. He is older, with a hardened face and a wooden leg. He is hired to read books to Mr. Boffin each evening. He finds a will while at the Boffins...
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...
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...
Mother of Bella and wife of Mr. Reginald Wilfer, she is tall and angular. She teaches when she has the opportunity. She is discontented and disagreeable, but does what her husband tells her to do
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 founder and general chairman of the Pickwick Club, a retired merchant with independent means, perhaps the most famous of Dickens' characters. "A casual observer might possibly have remarked nothing extraordinary in the bald head and...
Pickwick Papers, The
A series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
The judge who presided at the Bardell and Pickwick Trial. "Mr. Justice Stareleigh was a most particularly short man, and so fat that he seemed all face and waistcoat. He rolled in upon two little turned legs; and having bobbed gravely to the...
Pickwick Papers, The
A series of adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and three friends, who travel around the environs of London
Stagg is a blind member of the "Prentice Knights". With Barnaby Rudge Sr., Stagg tries to take the money from Mary Rudge by force. He is killed when he tries to run from officers who are arresting Hugh, Barnaby, and Rudge Sr
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,...
Sir Leicester Dedlock comes from a very old, respected family in the community and has the title of Baronet. He is married to a wife 20 years his junior and is so shocked by his wife's scandalous past that he has a very debilitating stroke when he...
Bleak House
Bleak House was the ninth novel written by Charles Dickens. He worked on it from November 1851 to August 1853. It was originally published in 20 monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853 and is considered to be one of his best...
The title character and narrator of the story. Dickens bases David's life loosely on his own
David Copperfield
David Copperfield is the partly autobiographical story of the trials of a boy born at the Rookery, Blunderstone. His father dies before he is born, and his mother marries Mr. Murdstone, who is cruel to the boy. When she dies, he is sent to work in...
Clerk who works at Mr. Wickfield who claims to be humble while at the same time tries to ruin Wickfield. He is stopped by Mr. Micawber
David Copperfield
David Copperfield is the partly autobiographical story of the trials of a boy born at the Rookery, Blunderstone. His father dies before he is born, and his mother marries Mr. Murdstone, who is cruel to the boy. When she dies, he is sent to work in...
Eccentric friend of David Copperfield who is a lodger of David's aunt, Betsy Trotwood
David Copperfield
David Copperfield is the partly autobiographical story of the trials of a boy born at the Rookery, Blunderstone. His father dies before he is born, and his mother marries Mr. Murdstone, who is cruel to the boy. When she dies, he is sent to work in...
David Copperfield's stepfather is a stern disciplinarian who first sends David off to Salem House School, and then later to the warehouse of Murdstone and Grinby
David Copperfield
David Copperfield is the partly autobiographical story of the trials of a boy born at the Rookery, Blunderstone. His father dies before he is born, and his mother marries Mr. Murdstone, who is cruel to the boy. When she dies, he is sent to work in...
David Copperfield is the partly autobiographical story of the trials of a boy born at the Rookery, Blunderstone. His father dies before he is born, and his mother marries Mr. Murdstone, who is cruel to the boy. When she dies, he is sent to work in...
Carrier between Blunderstone and Yarmouth who marries Clara Peggotty
David Copperfield
David Copperfield is the partly autobiographical story of the trials of a boy born at the Rookery, Blunderstone. His father dies before he is born, and his mother marries Mr. Murdstone, who is cruel to the boy. When she dies, he is sent to work in...