1. Background

3.  Born February 7th 1812  Came from a poor family  His father was sent to prison (because he couldn’t pay any of his bills)  Dickens was plucked from school and sent to a factory which made boot polish (child labor was legal then), in order to make some money for the family.  Eventually the family received an inheritance, and Charles returned to school; however, he never forgot his experiences there.

4.  Dickens had to leave school once again.  He took a job as a law clerk in London.  In his free time he hung around the London play houses (he later dabbled in acting and playwriting).  At sixteen, Dickens got his first writing gig: recording events in the courthouse.  1833- Dickens’ first piece, “A Dinner At Poplar Walk” is published in a monthly magazine. Dickens was not paid; however, he did catch the eye of the editor.

5.  Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836.  The couple had ten children!  The marriage was an unhappy one, and Dickens didn’t seem to keen on the idea of being a father.  In 1857 Dickens meets a young actress (she was 18, he was 45). They fall madly in love, and begin an affair. He and his wife separate in 1858.

6.  Dickens most famous novels, A Tale of Two Cities (1859) and Great Expectations (1860), were both published later in his life.  Dickens died from a stroke in 1870, his last novel, Our Mutual Friend was published in 1865.

7. http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakho use/animation.shtml

8.  Focused on social injustice.  Criticized the systems and classes which took advantage of the poor.  Family life was not portrayed in the nicest light.

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3b2Q0Ru0k

10. 1859 Tale of human behavior (goodness and wickedness of people) In the preface to the first edition, Dickens says, “I have so verified what is done and suffered in these pages, as that I have certainly done and suffered it all myself.” Tale of human behavior (goodness and wickedness of people) In the preface to the first edition, Dickens says, “I have so verified what is done and suffered in these pages, as that I have certainly done and suffered it all myself.”

11.  This novel, and many of Dickens’ other novels were published serially in a monthly publication.  Books were expensive.  Guaranteed magazine subscriptions.  More money for the publishers.  Strict deadlines for Dickens!

13.  Long winded scenes  When the action rises, Dickens’ style becomes more choppy and urgent.  Watch for irony!

16.  In the years leading up to the French Revolution, the lower class was demoralized by the French aristocrats which was very similar to what was happening in London. Fed up, the French peasantries wanted things to change and took action to do so.  This is a story which follows many characters of different backgrounds as they maneuver through these times.  There are two characters in particular who will be of most interest. They are: Charles Darnay & Sydney Carton.  In the years leading up to the French Revolution, the lower class was demoralized by the French aristocrats which was very similar to what was happening in London. Fed up, the French peasantries wanted things to change and took action to do so.  This is a story which follows many characters of different backgrounds as they maneuver through these times.  There are two characters in particular who will be of most interest. They are: Charles Darnay & Sydney Carton.

17.  Dickens is one of the most celebrated authors in history.  The AP exams love him, so the more familiar you are with his work, the better off you will be come exam time.  Despite being long and challenging Dickens’ stories are actually very entertaining!

18.  Keep up with the reading!  Keep your study guide up to date!  Keep track of characters and main events for each chapter.  Ask questions!