<p>The main concern of this volume is Dickens’ role as entertainer. It examines the results of this role: Dickens’ important contribution to the techniques of comedy and irony in prose. The social commentary and criticism which arise from a primarily comic art is emphasized and exemplified. Other extracts are used to demonstrate more formal points of structure and prose technique.</p><p>In the introduction the Martin Fido discusses the changing levels of Dickens’ literary and social reputation from the nineteenth century to the present day.</p>