Biography world

You have recently read David Copperfield.  How familiar are you with the life and work of its author,Charles Dickens? To which extent is this story autobiographical?





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Charles John Huffam Dickens ( 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic who is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period and the creator of some of the world's most memorable fictional characters. During his lifetime Dickens's works enjoyed unprecedented popularity and fame, and by the twentieth century his literary genius was fully recognized by critics and scholars. His novels and short stories continue to enjoy an enduring popularity among the general reading public.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens


Listen to the first 11 minutes of the lecture (see below) and write down notes about the most important events in Dickens' life.

Consider the following aspects to write a summary: (10 points)

• 1. Early years and adulthood
• 2. How he gained recognition
• 3. Some of his famous works
• 4. Themes present in his work
• 5. Autobiographical elements

Your summary must include all the above aspects in the same order in different paragraphs. Be carefull with spelling and grammar.

               
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdROFxYEuBI

               

The Elements of a Story

If needed make notes for your record of the following concepts.

Setting, in literature, the location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes place.

The makeup and behaviour of fictional characters often depend on their environment quite as much as on their personal characteristics. Setting is of great importance in novels, for example, in some cases it is believed that environment determines the character. In some cases the entire action of a novel is determined by the locale in which it is set. 

Taken from: http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/536301/setting

Another essential story element is the character. Character can be defined as any person, animal, or figure represented in a literary work. There are many types of characters that exist in literature, each with its own development and function.

For more information about this you can visit:

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/character-in-literature-definition-types-development.html#lesson

Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story. These events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence. The structure of a novel depends on the organization of events in the plot of the story.

Plot is known as the foundation of a novel or story which the characters and settings are built around. It is meant to organize information and events in a logical manner. When writing the plot of a piece of literature, the author has to be careful that it does not dominate the other parts of the story.

There are five main elements in a plot. The first is the exposition or the introduction. This is known as the beginning of the story where characters and setting are established. The conflict or main problem is introduced as well. The second element of a plot is known as the rising action which occurs when a series of events build up to the conflict. The main characters are established by the time the rising action of a plot occurs and at the same time, events begin to get complicated. It is during this part of a story that excitement, tension or crisis is encountered. The third element of a plot is known as the climax or the main point of the plot. This is the turning point of the story and is meant to be the moment of highest interest and emotion. The reader wonders what is going to happen next. The fourth element of a plot is known as falling action or the winding up of the story. Events and complications begin to resolve and the result of actions of the main characters are put forward. The last element of a plot is the resolution or the conclusion. It is the end of a story and ends with either a happy or a tragic ending.

Taken from: http://literarydevices.net/plot/

 Now recall the story of David Copperfield  and provide the corresponding information about:( 9 points, 3 each element)

• 1. Setting                                         

• 2. Characters

• 3. Plot (conflict, climax, resolution)

Making Comparisons

Compare Dickens' life and the story of David Copperfield. Write a paragraph stating which aspects seem to be autobiographical. Support your arguments with examples. ( 8 points)