The Textual Life of Dickens' Characters Author:James A. Davies The author's publications include "John Forster: A Literary Life" and "Dylan Thomas's Places". By focusing on selected characters and characterisations from all stages of his literary career, from his non-fiction as well as the famous novels, and using a blend of formal literary criticism and modern literary theory to stress their textual functi... more »ons, it examines the ways in which they summarise themes, are narrators and readers, dramatise ideas and structure texts. The conclusion explores the thematic significance, for Dickens's works, of the modern distinction between story and text. From such considerations emerge fresh and challenging interpretations of many of Dickens's most famous writings.« less