Read Charles Dickens' biography and think about the question below. Then, turn to slide two for some comprehension questions and discussion.

Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on the 7th February 1812 and died on the 9th June 1870. He was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's most memorable fictional characters and is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period. During his life, his works enjoyed unprecedented fame, and by the twentieth century his literary genius was broadly acknowledged by critics and scholars. His novels and short stories continue to be widelypopular.

Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens left school to work in a factory after his father went to debtors' prison. Although he had little formal education, his early impoverishment drove him to succeed. Over his career he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, 5 novellas and hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms. He is buried in Westminster Abbey, in London.

Did you know any of this about Charles Dickens?