Quote of the Month – September

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another” — Charles Dickens

Background

Charles Dickens was a Victorian-era English writer, journalist, and social critic. Born February 7th, 1812, Dickens was born into a poverty-stricken family. His unfair life influenced him to write on social inequality later in life. His father was imprisoned, and subsequently, Dickens was forced to work at a factory at the ripe age of twelve. Dickens never finished his education and dropped out at fifteen years old. Shortly after, he became a journalist, and in 1836 published his first book named Sketches by Boz. His first novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, was published in monthly installments, which helped him gain widespread popularity. Dickens’ novels highlighted the poor and working class, and advocated for children’s rights. A well known work of his is A Christmas Carol, showing the reader the importance of patience, kindness, and being generous towards others. His death on June 9th, 1870 marked the end of a legacy, and the end of a man who worked and wrote to show the struggle of the lower class.

Importance

Dickens shows how one action to brighten another’ s day can give one purpose in life. Such action(s) can benefit both the performer and the benefactor. Everyone needs a purpose in life, and helping just a little bit might encourage others to do the same. Burdens bring the emotions of one to an all-time low, and having that extra bit of help could prevent an overflow of emotions, which can ultimately destroy someone mentally. So the lesson of the month is to treat someone the way you would want them to treat you because their burdens could either be helped easily, or not so easily; it all depends on if you have that bit of help to give.