Crikey, one bad apple he was!
No doubt a bad one. But consider. Dickens was first published in newspapers as a serial.
Dickens was the first writer whose writings ever changed anything. London went from total indifference to the plight of children who were small so could be forced down a three or four story smoke stacks to clean them.
They were often suffocated in those brick death traps. After Dickens hundreds of laws were passed
Among them the first child labor laws. In short for all his failure as a husband his work actually created a far more livable environment for children.
How can such a man be judged?
"In Gods hands."
Now New York has a story to tell us of child labor laws. I hope I'll be forgiven if I forget her name but remember her deeds.
Having failed in every way to get legislators to pass protective laws for children.
She hit upon a way to get it done.
She went to court and sued to have children placed under the animal protection laws.
That's right animals had better protection than our kids. New York first protected children as Animals. The only way she cuold get this done.
Humanities indifference to the good has been well documented. We climb that hill but slowly and have much to regret and more to sorrow over.