“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.”

Victorian English novelist and social critic. His works—including *Oliver Twist*, *Great Expectations*, and *A Christmas Carol*—pioneered serialized fiction and exposed the harsh realities of industrial-era poverty. Known for his vivid characterizations and sharp social commentary, he remains a cornerstone of English literature.