What events in Dickens' childhood explained his motivation to write?

Answer 1

When he was 12, Dickens's father was imprisoned for debt at Marshalsea and Charles was sent to work at a blacking (shoe polish) factory. His family's financial status had always been irregular and Dickens had experienced poverty first-hand. His strong ambitions for education and a social rise are thwarted when he was put to work at the factory. He was angry when his younger brother earns a scholarship at the school Dickens longed to attend. He was additionally bitter at his mother, who wanted him to continue working at the factory after his father's release and the re-uniting of the family. His father insisted, however, and Dickens was allowed to come home. If you look closely at his writing, you can see the affects of this experience coming through his characters.

Answer 2

Dickens' difficult childhood, including his father's imprisonment for debt and his own experience working in a factory, inspired his compassion for the poor and marginalized. These experiences influenced his desire to bring attention to social issues through his writing and create a more just society. Additionally, his love for storytelling and vivid imagination from a young age fueled his motivation to write and connect with readers.