Dickens And The English Novel In The Tradition Of Moral Reprimand

Expressing moral instruction is a tradition of British literature. We can see it not only in poems and dramas, but in novel in which moral theme highly progressed. 18 century, many important novelists manifested this topic in their novels, such as Defoe, Richardson, Fielding, Swift, and Jane Austen. They have been promoted the tradition of moral reprimand, and admonished the moral ideals. The efforts of them inspired newcomers.Dickens, as a great writer of nineteen century, deepened moral instruction in his works. He figured many classic characters to show his moral ideal. Furthermore, Dickens made a big improvement through his unique angle and special technique. On one hand, he developed moral instruction through the content of novel. He showed moral instruction not just using the words and deeds of characters. Dickens put more energy in digging the contradiction of human nature and the seamy side of society. He linked this kind of moral instruction with the values of Victorian era, making his novels not only reflected the moral requirements of UK's traditional cultural , but also performed characteristics of the times. Those novels were extremely critical realism. On the other hand, from the technique of expression, Dickens had been shaping the moral character of all classes and not limited to someone of the ruling class .At the same time he focused on discovering all respects of life and the virtue of normal person from all sectors, expressing the struggle of emotion for using psychological description. While for the fate of the characters, Dickens abandoned the traditional arrangement in which good and evil has been reported. He designed a more reliable fate based on real world. This kind of arrangement displayed a more vivid truth.The theme of moral instruction of Dickens novel has a profound significance. Firstly, it preaches the virtues, criticizes the darkness of reality, and reflects the concern of eternity ethical. It had an influence on society. Secondly, it continues the tradition of moral instruction in British novel. In the same time, the novels of Dickens also exposed some limitations, such as many flat characters and many happy endings.