Reading

Charles Dickens was the greatest representative of English critical novelist in the 19th century. He wrote 14 novels and many other short stories in his lifetime. His style was realistic and humors .He gave us a vivid picture of life of ordinary people. His works shows sympathy for the poor.

What do you know about Dichens?

Charles Dickens was born on Friday, February 7,1812 at No 1 Mile End Terrace, Landport, Portsmouth. His father , John Dickens, was a clerk in the Navy Pay Office. In 1814 John was transferred to Somerset House in London. In 1817 John moved his family to Chatham and worked in the naval dockyard. It was here, at Chatham in the Medway Valley, that Charles experienced his happiest childhood memories. John was transferred back to the London office and moved his family to Camden Town in 1822. John Dickens, continually living beyond his means, was finally imprisoned for debt at the Marshalsea debtor’s prison in Southwark in 1824. 12-year-old Charles was removed from school and sent to work at a boot-blacking factory earning six shillings a week to help support the family.

Charles considered this period as the most terrible time in his life and would later write that he wondered “how I could have been so easily cast away at such an age”. This childhood poverty and adversity contributed greatly to Dickens’ later views on social reform in a country in the throes of the Industrial Revolution and his compassion for the lower class, especially the children. Dickens went on to write 15 major novels and countless short stories and articles before his death on June 9,1870. The inscription on his tombstone in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey reads: “He was a sympathizer to the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England’s greatest writers is lost to the world.

• A Christmas Carol• A Tale of Two Cities• David Copperfield • Great Expectations • Hard Times • Oliver Twist • The Old Curiosity

Shop • The Pickwick

Papers

• 圣诞颂歌• 大卫科波菲尔• 双城记• 雾都孤儿• 匹克威克外传• 远大前程• 艰难时事• 老古玩店

Famous novels written by Charles Dickens Match column A and B

1 When does this story happen? 2.What are the main characters in the play? And their relationships?

It happens on the day before Christmas.

1 When does this story happen?

On Christmas eve

2.What are the main characters in the play? And their relationships? Ebenezer Scrooge---

Bob Cratchit -----

Fred ----------------

A gentleman -------

Santa Clause ----

A boss; the main hero

Scrooge’s clerk

Scrooge’s nephew

collect money for the poor

appears in Scrooge’s dream

Read the text and analyze the characters in the stories by typical language.

Mainheroes

What they say characteristic

Scrooge

Bob

Fred

Santa

1“I have to pay you a whole day’s Wages for no work at all. ” He says Humbug2 “That’s an excuse for picking a man’s Pocket”.3.“ Leave it alone. Much good may it do you.

1. cold,interestedin money. 2. not care forhis employee.3. No social responsibilities,

1 “I’m too cold to write so I warm myself on the candle.”2 “ I want a day off at Christmas”

poor, modest and careful.

“There are many things that do me good without bringing in profit”

kind andhelpful.

He always says “Ho,ho,ho.”make others happy

1.If I hear another word from you, you will go [where it is really cold.]

2.Much good may it do you!=

May it do you much good/May it do much good to you !

3.It’s the only time of the year (when one does not only think about oneself, but when men and women open their hearts freely and think of other people.) So, although it has never put a piece of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good.

Understand the following sentences:

4.That’s a poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December.

5.At this festival season of the year, Mr Scrooge, [when many of us enjoy abundant comfort,] we would like to ask you to open your heart to the poor,

(whose sufferings are great.)

6. You don’t mean that, I’m sure.7. There are many things that do me good without bringing in profits. 8.Prisons and places like that cost honest taxpayers like me enough; and those people ( who are badly off ) must go there.9.And make it short, because it’s time to close up.10. Alone is what you are, and what you have been.11. My partner died seven years ago, this very night.