Charles Dickens, a prestigious novelist, changed many lives through his influential writings. Creator of some of the world's best-known literary characters, Charles Dickens was and still is considered one of the most eminent writers of his time. However, although he continues to be one of the most widely read authors, no one can deny that he led a rather miserable life, as did most members of the Victorian working class. Only, his own story is one of rags to riches, and his experiences with poverty are likely the influence behind some of his greatest works. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay As a child, Dickens's family was not financially stable, even to the point where Charles had to be taken out of school to help his family. Then came the horror that inspired his writing: his father, John Dickens, was sent to prison after failing to repay a debt, and almost his entire family was incarcerated with him. This left Charles alone at boarding school, working in a factory where he had to make shoe polish. The whole experience was terrifying for Charles, as were the horrible working conditions in the workshops. Imagine a twelve-year-old child being taken out of school and working in a blackening factory to support his family: the whole situation must have been almost unbearable for Charles. However, after about three months, Charles' father received a large inheritance. and used it to pay off the debt, allowing his family to move in together again and allowing Charles to continue his education. Even though this situation was over, Charles still could not recover from the experience and he used his childhood terrors in several of his novels. After two years, financial difficulties hit the Dickens family again. Charles had to drop out of school for the last time to help his family. He got a job as an office boy, which paved the way for his writing career, as he began doing freelance reporting soon after. This led to a string of successful jobs, and in 1832 he was hired as a reporter for two newspapers. This soon led to the publication of his first book, Sketches by Boz, and then The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. His growing fame led to more and more books until he became the famous Charles Dickens we know today. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Charles Dickens Essay. A name that has endured since Victorian times until today. By using his writings to change the way society viewed the poor, Charles Dickens helped those who experienced what he experienced as a child. His books revolve around poverty and the dark side of his time. He was a powerful voice among the weak, opening the eyes of many to the real situations experienced by others. He was and still is a great and influential writer.