The Poor Relation’s Story by Charles Dickens

Author: Charles Dickens | Published: 1852

The Poor Relation's Story Synopsis

"The Poor Relation's" is a short story by English author Charles Dickens. It was published in 1852 in Household Words weekly journal. This story highlights Dickens' persistent message of societal injustice and the struggles those marginalized by the world faces.

The story is situated on a family gathering around the Christmas fire. Michael, coming from an affluent family, now resides in poverty. He shares his life story, where his relatives' prosperity and achievements have always loomed over him. Michael has little wealth due to his decision to marry a poor woman. Michael elaborates that his family has regarded him as a "poor relation" due to his lack of inheritance and inability to attain the same level of success. One notable aspect of his story is Michael's bond with a boy called Little Frank, who happens to be his first cousin's son. Michael's story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the value of finding joy in life.

About Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens is one of the most influential authors of all time. He has written some of the most iconic works ever to be published, such as Oliver Twist, a Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations. Born in 1812 in Portsmouth, England, Charles grew up in a humble environment with his father unable to provide much financial support.

He worked as a junior clerk while attending school intermittently during his teenage years. His first real job was as a journalist for London's Morning Chronicle newspaper, where he wrote about parliamentary debates and criminal trials. There, Dickens started writing short stories that caught public attention, prompting him to become a full-time author. He published The Pickwick Papers in 1836, which became hugely popular and established him as one of the greatest writers of his era. Find out more about Charles Dickens at sevenov.com.