Dickens’ acute observation of London’s residents, children, and criminals contributed to character development and social analysis. He noted motivations, reactions, and interpersonal dynamics, resembling early psychological study. Victorian literature often served as social documentation, and Dickens’ work was particularly rich. His characters demonstrate understanding of ambition, greed, empathy, and fear. Scholars argue that his insights prefigure modern social psychology. Detailed behavioral observation allowed him to craft realistic interactions, enhancing plot plausibility. Dickens’ work bridges art, observation, and emerging scientific interest in human behavior.
His observational approach deepened character realism and societal understanding in literature.
It shows how literary methods can intersect with early scientific inquiry, contributing to cultural knowledge.
Did you know scholars study Dickens’ character interactions to trace early Victorian notions of personality and behavior?
[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, oxforddnb.com]