| Innumerable lists of Charles
Dickens villains have been compiled. But what about the
good guys? The morally upright, the altruistic, and the
stoic characters of Dickens' novels on the other hand seem to
have received little attention. For me, Dickens was able
to impart to his 'heroes' more character and uniqueness than
most authors manage to give their villains. Often from
within the very midst of hilarity and eccentricity will emerge a
precisely timed sense of a character's unerring moral compass.
This kind of detail is either beyond the capability of most
authors, or their love of craft did not equal that of Charles
Dickens. Below is a list of
characters who for me represent the goodness that Dickens
undoubtedly wanted to inspire in his readers and in society at
large. I'm afraid there are a few more guys than gals, but
as Matthew Bagnet says in Bleak House, "I never own it
before the old girl. Discipline must be maintained." |
