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Should kids read Dickens?

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Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812, exactly 200 years ago. His literary achievements have spanned two centuries years, with many of his characters becoming familiar to readers across the globe. In 2012, however, fewer are attempting his books. The reason, one of Dickens’ biographers says ,is that kids have shorter attention spans.

Claire Tomalin, an eminent Dickens scholar, remarked to the BBC that the author's work is still relevant, exploring as it does the gulf between rich and poor, and corruption in politics, however, she suggested that fewer children are finding the works accessible, as they lack the attention span to delve into the richly descriptive novels.

The flimsy counter-argument to Tomalin's assertions is that the Harry Potter books are easily as long as Dickens’ novels, so it must just be the topics he covered which don’t appeal.

Wit or wizards?

But Harry Potter is neither Great Expectations, nor Bleak House. There could be truth to what the commentator says. This generation of screen-based readers is used to having technology keep them entertained. Not only that, but it’s being used more and more in education. Tablets, social media, TV and cell phones. It’s harder to concentrate if you have to keep updating your status.

Losing the reading habit

Is Dickens still relevant? Are there authors who are have more contemporary relevance today, or is reading (novels) a fading trend? Many kids, after they’ve left school behind, along with required reading, never pick up a book again.

Imagine a world without Scrooge, Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. Or rather, a world where imagination is limited to screens and buttons. Maybe you hated having to read his books at school, and don’t think your kids should have to read him, or, perhaps you loved his colourful characters and intricate plots.

For now, Charles Dickens’ books remain a part of schooling, a rite of passage; it remains to be seen if he’ll continue to be read.

In Dickens’ alleged (last) words, as reported in his obituary in The Times:
  
“Be natural my children. For the writer that is natural has fulfilled all the rules of art.”

Do you think Dickens is accessible to kids today?
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