查尔斯·狄更斯（Charles Dickens，1812年2月7日－1870年6月9日），是英国文学史上最为著名的小说家之一。他的作品以对社会问题的深刻洞察和生动的人物刻画而闻名，被誉为“现代小说之父”。狄更斯的一生充满传奇色彩，他不仅是一位杰出的作家，同时也是一位充满社会责任感的社会活动家。
狄更斯出生于英国朴茨茅斯市的一个小家庭，父亲是一名公务员。尽管家境并不富裕，但狄更斯从小就表现出了对书籍和写作的浓厚兴趣。然而，由于家庭经济状况的恶化，他在少年时期被迫辍学，进入一家鞋油工厂工作。这段艰苦的经历成为他后来创作的重要灵感来源，并深深影响了他的文学风格。
成年后，狄更斯凭借其非凡的才华逐渐在文坛崭露头角。1836年，他发表了第一部长篇小说《匹克威克外传》（The Pickwick Papers），这部作品为他赢得了广泛赞誉。随后，他陆续创作了多部经典作品，包括《雾都孤儿》（Oliver Twist）、《大卫·科波菲尔》（David Copperfield）、《双城记》（A Tale of Two Cities）以及《远大前程》（Great Expectations）。这些作品不仅揭示了当时社会的种种不公与矛盾，也塑造了一系列令人难忘的角色形象，如奥利弗·特威斯特、皮普等。
除了文学成就之外，狄更斯还积极参与社会改革运动。他通过演讲、文章等形式呼吁改善工人阶级的生活条件，关注教育公平等问题。他的努力在一定程度上推动了英国社会的进步与发展。
查尔斯·狄更斯于1870年因脑溢血去世，但他留下的文化遗产却永远激励着后人。作为一位跨越时代的伟大作家，狄更斯用文字记录了那个时代的苦难与希望，同时也为我们提供了理解人性与社会的宝贵视角。
Charles Dickens - A Brief Biography (With Chinese-English Comparison)
Charles Dickens (February 7, 1812 – June 9, 1870), one of the most celebrated novelists in British literary history, is known for his profound insights into social issues and vivid character portrayals. Often called the "father of modern fiction," Dickens led an extraordinary life filled with both personal triumphs and societal contributions.
Born in Portsmouth, England, into a modest family where his father worked as a clerk, young Dickens displayed early interests in literature despite financial difficulties at home. Tragically, these hardships forced him to leave school at a young age and work in a bootblack factory. This experience profoundly shaped his worldview and inspired much of his later writing.
As an adult, Dickens achieved fame through his first major publication, The Pickwick Papers (1836). Over time, he wrote numerous classics such as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations. These works exposed injustices within society while creating memorable characters like Oliver Twist and Pip.
Beyond literature, Dickens was deeply involved in advocating for social reforms. Through speeches and writings, he championed better conditions for workers and equal access to education. His efforts contributed significantly to advancements in British society during his era.
Dickens passed away in 1870 after suffering from a stroke, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. As a timeless writer whose works transcend eras, Dickens used storytelling to capture the struggles and aspirations of his times while offering deep insights into human nature and societal dynamics.
