Throughout his life, Charles Dickens' experiences often inspired him to write. Many people he knew, many places he traveled, and many obstacles he overcame were often incorporated into his novels. Dickens lived during the nineteenth century, thus his novels needed to appeal to people of that era, also inspiring the characters and themes of the novels he wrote.

Charles was born on February seventh of 1812. He was born into a good family, but his father, who was a clerk in the Naval Pay office, had a "poor head for finances." John Dickens soon found himself imprisoned for debt. This occurred during Charles' twelfth year and he was put to work in a blacking factory to work off the family finances. Dickens worked for several months before his family was released from the Marshalsea Prison. His brief experience at the blacking factory would...