Here's why he's seen as realist:
* Focus on social issues: Dickens was deeply concerned with the social injustices of his time. His novels vividly depict the struggles of the poor, the plight of the working class, and the corrupting influence of wealth and power.
* Detailed descriptions: Dickens is famous for his detailed descriptions of London and its different social strata. He paints a picture of poverty, crime, and the harsh conditions of factories and slums.
* Realistic characters: While his characters are sometimes larger-than-life, they are grounded in reality. They are often flawed, driven by understandable motivations, and face challenges common to their time.
* Humorous observations: Dickens uses satire and humor to expose the absurdities of society and the hypocrisy of its institutions. He often uses exaggeration and caricature to highlight social problems.
However, it's important to note that Dickens was not a strict realist in the sense of following a purely objective approach. He:
* Emphasized social commentary: While realistic, his work is heavily infused with social commentary and a clear moral message. He often used melodrama and sentimentality to evoke sympathy for his characters and criticize injustice.
* Used poetic license: Dickens often took creative liberties in his depiction of events and characters. He sometimes exaggerated situations for dramatic effect and used symbolic language to create a more profound impact.
Therefore, Dickens's realism is best described as social realism, with an emphasis on the social and moral issues of his time. He used elements of realism to highlight the injustices of his society, but he also infused his work with a strong moral message and a sense of romanticism and melodrama.