Doctor Marigold

"Doctor Marigold" by Charles Dickens is a novella written in the late 19th century, during the Victorian era. This work is a fictional narrative that revolves around the life and experiences of a traveling Cheap Jack—a street vendor known for selling various goods through lively and entertaining patter. The story explores themes of love, loss, social inequality, and the bond between a father and daughter against the backdrop of a changing society. The narrative is told from the perspective of Doctor Marigold, who recounts his life as a Cheap Jack and his tumultuous relationship with his wife and daughter. After marrying a temperamental woman, he struggles with the challenges of raising their daughter, Sophy, amidst domestic turmoil. Tragedy strikes when Sophy falls ill and dies, leaving Marigold heartbroken. The heart of the story occurs when Marigold adopts a deaf and mute girl, who becomes like a daughter to him, enabling him to rediscover love and purpose. Eventually, Sophy re-enters his life unexpectedly, bringing a beautiful resolution that highlights the enduring connections of family and the transformative power of love despite adversity. Ultimately, Dickens crafts a poignant narrative that balances humor with deep emotional truths. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read today.