The Old Curiosity Shop · Chapter
Dedication explained
Charles Dickens dedicates the book to Samuel Rogers, praising his poetic works and his compassionate character, particularly his sympathy for the poor and humble.
What happens
Charles Dickens dedicates the book to Samuel Rogers, praising his poetic works and his compassionate character, particularly his sympathy for the poor and humble.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Suffering
Dickens highlights Rogers's active sympathy with the poorest and humblest, reflecting the theme of concern for the suffering poor.
Key passages
“Let me have my Pleasures of Memory in connection with this book, by dedicating it to a Poet whose writings (as all the world knows) are replete with generous and earnest feeling; and to a Man whose daily life (as all the world does not know) is one of active sympathy with the poorest and humblest of his kind.”
Allow me to associate my fond memories with this book by dedicating it to a poet whose works are full of sincere emotion, and to a man whose everyday actions show genuine kindness toward the most impoverished and lowly people.
Dickens uses the dedication to praise both the public and private virtues of Samuel Rogers.