SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE NOVELS OF CHARLES DICKENS

Abstract

This paper examines the major social issues reflected in the novels of Charles Dickens, one of the most prominent writers of the Victorian era. The study focuses on such problems as poverty, social inequality, child labor, injustice of the legal system, and the harsh living conditions of the lower social classes. Through the analysis of selected novels, the research reveals Dickens’s critical attitude toward the social structure of nineteenth-century England and his deep sympathy for the poor and vulnerable members of society. The paper shows that Dickens uses realistic portrayal, emotional narrative, and vivid characters to expose social injustice and to call for moral responsibility and compassion. The findings confirm that the social themes raised in Dickens’s works remain relevant today, making his novels an important source for understanding both historical and contemporary social problems.