Recurring Character Types in Dickens Novels
Tracing Character Archetypes That Appear in Several Dickens Books
Jun 22, 2009
Charles Dickens is famous for his inventive, colorful characters - many of whom are utterly unique. However, there are certain character archetypes that appear repeatedly in Dickens's books, and can help shed light on his view of human nature.
Frivolous but Attractive Young Women
Dickens often represents attractive, upper-class young women as spoiled "pets" who are ultimately not ready to be wives or mothers. These include Dora and David's mother in David Copperfield, "Pet" Meagles in Little Dorrit, and Mercy Pecksniff in Martin Chuzzlewit.
"Saintly" Young Women
Self-denying, virtuous young women who carry an adult responsibility in supporting their families are represented as ideal mates and are contrasted with more frivolous women. Examples include Agnes in David Copperfield, Esther in Bleak House, Lizzie Hexam in Our Mutual Friend, Ruth Pinch in Martin Chuzzlewit, Kate Nickleby in Nicholas Nickleby, and Nell Trent in The Old Curiosity Shop.
"Saintly" Young Men
Gentle, hard-working young men with little sense of their own self-worth are contrasted with their more superficial peers, and are sometimes used as foils to the novel's male protagonist. Examples of these include Traddles in David Copperfield, Tom Pinch in Martin Chuzzlewit, and Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol.
Violently Proud Young Women
Hot-tempered, passionate young women are represented as intense in their romantic feelings but ultimately self-destructive in their behavior. They are particularly condemned for their inability to forgive. Examples include Miss Dartle in David Copperfield, Tattycoram and Miss Wade in Little Dorrit, and Charity Pecksniff in Martin Chuzzlewit. Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities and Miss Havisham in Great Expectations can be viewed as more mature versions of this character type.
Victimized or Sickly Little Boys
Dickens often uses victimized boys to stir up reader sympathy. Examples include Oliver in Oliver Twist, David in David Copperfield, Young Bailey in Martin Chuzzlewit, and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol.
"Fallen" Women
Fallen women in Dickens are typically rendered self-hating or even suicidal by their sexual experiences. Examples include Lady Deadlock in Bleak House and both Martha and Emily in David Copperfield.
Indebted Men
Dickens represents family indebtedness as a sign of the father's weak character. Examples include Nell's Grandfather in The Old Curiosity Shop, Wilkins Micawber in David Copperfield, and William Dorrit in Little Dorrit.
Abusive Men
Dickens portrays abusive men unsympathetically, but is interested in the way women often overlook or justify the abusive tendencies of violent men. Examples include Estella's husband in Great Expectations, Jonas Chuzzlewit in Martin Chuzzlewit, and Bill Sykes in Oliver Twist. There are also men who suffer abuse from their wives, such as Joe Gargery and Mrs. Joe in Great Expectations.
Mentally Disabled "Innocents"
Dickens represents the mentally disabled as pure in heart, and thus capable of seeing the true nature of people more clearly than others. Examples include Mr. Dick in David Copperfield, Mr. Duffey in Martin Chuzzlewit, and Maggie in Little Dorrit.
Identifying these character archetypes provides a better picture of how Dickens viewed gender relations, sexuality, and innocence. Dickens has recurring themes in his novels as well.
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