the Victorian age, from 1837 to 1901; today a casual reader might be able to name a half-dozen of them. It's partly true that Dickens' style of writing attracted audiences from all walks of life. It's partly that his writings rode a wave of social, political and scientific progress. But it's also that he rewrote the culture of literature and put himself at the center. No one will ever know what mix of talent, ambition, energy and luck made Dickens such a distinguished writer. But as the 200th an-niversary of his birth approaches, it is possible—and important for our own culture—to understand how he made himself a lasting one. 1.Which of the following best describes British novels in the 18th century? A.They were difficult to understand. B.They were popular among the rich. C.They were seen as nearly worthless. D.They were written mostly by women.