Charles Dickens Research Paper

Unitarianism is the belief that God exists in one person, not three. It is a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity as well as the full divinity of Jesus. Unitarian Universalists believe that Salvation is earned by grace through faith.. not by works in any way. Jesus became the Son of God at His baptism, the Holy Spirit is not a person and does not have a will. Now and later will be rewards and punishments according to one's actions, but this does not consist of the traditional doctrine of hell, and human reason and experience should be the final authority in determining spiritual truth. But, Charles Dicken’s shows that a person’s morality is not dictated by wealth or social status. He uses Unitarianism through his portrayals of Oliver, Nancy,

2015.) Upon his father’s release from prison, Charles went back to school. He developed shorthand and landed a job as a parliamentary reporter—first for The True Sun, then the Morning Chronicle. Then he contributed articles to the Monthly Magazine and Evening Chronicle. (Charles Dickens Biography. Copyright © 1999) The influence of religion was ever present in Dickens’s life, even though he did not engage in religious activity to any noticeable degree, Dickens became involved with a system that attracted many fellow intellectuals: Unitarianism. It enabled him to live without the dogmatic creeds of historic Christianity, yet believe the existence of God and the humanity and divine mission of Jesus Christ. Unitarianism promoted social awareness. Writer, Robert Browning, remarked that “Mr. Dickens is an enlightened Unitarian.” However, after 1847r, he attended the Anglican church near his home and prayed each morning and night. Dickens despised in his books eloquently portrayed the gross injustices and shoddy lifestyle of many who lay claim to the teachings of Christianity.

His friend John Forster concluded that Dickens’s will demonstrates his “unswerving faith in Christianity itself, apart from sects and schisms.” ("The Faith Behind the Famous: Charles Dickens." The Faith Behind the Famous: Charles Dickens. N.p., n.d.) Dickens was not only the first great urban novelist in England, but also one of the most important social commentators who used fiction effectively to criticize economic, social, and moral abuses in the Victorian era. Dickens showed compassion and empathy towards the vulnerable and disadvantaged segments of English society, and contributed to several important social reforms. In Oliver Twist, Dickens explores many social themes, but three are predominant: the abuses of the new Poor Law system, the evils of the criminal world in London and the victimization of children. (Wheeler, Michael) In opening of Oliver Twist the critique of the Poor Law of 1834 and the administration of the workhouse is presented. Dickens gives the most uncompromising critique of the Victorian workhouse, which was run according to a government of prolonged hunger, physical punishment, humiliation and hypocrisy. (Wheeler, Michael)