Early Influences:
* Samuel Richardson: Dickens's early love for melodrama and social commentary can be traced back to Richardson's works like "Pamela" and "Clarissa." These novels often explored social class, morality, and the challenges faced by women.
* Henry Fielding: Dickens admired Fielding's satirical and comedic style, which he would later incorporate into his own novels. Fielding's "Tom Jones" with its emphasis on realism and social observation is a good example.
* Tobias Smollett: Smollett's novels like "Roderick Random" and "Peregrine Pickle" offered Dickens insights into the lives of the lower classes and provided him with strong characterization models.
* William Shakespeare: Dickens was a devoted fan of Shakespeare and incorporated Shakespearean themes and imagery into his writing. He admired Shakespeare's mastery of language, characterization, and plot.
Further Influences:
* The Romantic Movement: Dickens was born into the Romantic era and was influenced by the movement's emphasis on emotional expression, individualism, and the power of imagination. Writers like William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and Mary Shelley all contributed to this atmosphere.
* Social Reformers: Dickens was a passionate social reformer himself and was deeply influenced by the work of Charles Lamb, William Hazlitt, and other writers who highlighted the injustices of Victorian society.
It's crucial to understand that Dickens's influence was not solely confined to specific authors. He was an avid reader who absorbed information from diverse sources, including newspapers, magazines, and other contemporary literature. His exposure to the realities of Victorian life, both through his personal experiences and through the stories of others, also heavily shaped his writing.
Ultimately, Dickens's unique voice and style emerged from a combination of these influences, allowing him to create timeless characters, intricate plots, and a powerful social commentary that continues to resonate with readers today.