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In:Practising Stylistics: Essays in Honour of Paul Simpson
Edited by Clara Neary, Simon Statham and Peter Stockwell
[Linguistic Approaches to Literature 45] 2026
► pp. 12–23

Chapter 1: Vignette
Charles Dickens, teacher

Satire and metaphor

 | University of Nottingham
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
Charles Dickens’ general interest in education and educational reform is well known, but aside from Hard Times in particular his own knowledge of contemporary methods and discourses of teaching and learning has not been analysed in detail. In this chapter, Katie Wales illustrates examples of satirical manipulation in Dickens’ novels, especially Hard Times and Dombey and Son, drawing out some of the prevailing conceptual metaphors in pedagogic discursive practices. She shows how, through stylistic cues, he produces a humorous but damning critique of harmful teaching methods — a critique that stands the test of time. In the process, Wales’ detailed analysis forces a re-appraisal not only of Dickens’ own achievement as a satirist, but also of ideas of satire generally, and of conceptual metaphor theory itself.
Article outline
  • Dickens and nineteenth-century teaching methods
  • Dickens’ satire of (conceptual) metaphors of teaching
  • Dickens’ satire re-considered
  • Conclusion and further research
  • References
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