The most popular author of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens was both a gifted humorist and critic of the social evils of his time. His characters are frequently eccentric, almost caricatures. They change very little or not at all in the course of the narrative, but they are nonetheless memorable. Mr Micawber, for example, one of the most outstanding characters in David Copperfield, remains his improvident, amiable self throughout the novel until he goes to Australia. Yet as a comic character, he has made an indelible impression, much in the same way as Shakespeares Sir John Falstaff. ...