Charles Dickens was an influential English novelist who wrote many beloved stories, impacting readers with his profound insights. This quote expresses the deep emotional pain felt by a child who lacks the love of a parent. Dickens suggests that this feeling of abandonment is worse than being an orphan. Parental love is critical in a child’s life, shaping their happiness and sense of self-worth. His words resonate strongly, reflecting a universal truth about love and belonging. Many readers find this message powerful, as it highlights the significance of strong family bonds. Dickens himself faced childhood struggles, including poverty and separation from his family, which likely influenced his writings. His novels often explore themes of abandonment and the search for identity, making his insight even more poignant. Overall, the absence of parental support can lead to lasting emotional scars that affect children throughout their lives.
B1 · Intermediate · 144 words · ~1 min
Quote of the day · Charles Dickens · Wikiquote

…not an orphan in the wide world can be so deserted as the child who is an outcast from a living parent’s love.
— Charles Dickens
Word notebook · B1
Tap a highlighted word in the text, or study the list below.
- abandonment
- The act of leaving someone or something behind, causing emotional pain.
- support
- Help, encouragement, or backing provided to someone.
- significance
- The importance or meaning of something.
- insight
- The ability to understand something deeply.
- impact
- The strong effect or influence that something has.
Comprehension check · B1
Finished reading? See how much stuck.
1.What does Dickens compare a child's feeling of abandonment to?
2.How does Dickens’s own childhood influence his writing?
3.What themes are often explored in Dickens's novels?















































