Final answer:
Charles Dickens's writings served as a form of social criticism by describing the struggles and hardships of the urban poor, focusing on raising awareness rather than demanding an end to capitalism or criticizing political ideas per se. His unique style featured detailed and naturalistic portrayals of Victorian life that highlighted the need for social reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Dickens's writings serve as a form of social criticism by describing the struggles of poor, working-class, and middle-class urban dwellers. This critical style of writing depicted not only the dire circumstances in which many people lived but also raised awareness about particularly harsh conditions, such as those faced by children.
Dickens's novels often provided detailed and naturalistic portrayals of life, but contrary to demanding the end of capitalism or purely criticizing political ideas, they focused more on presenting vivid descriptions of the hardships faced by individuals within these systems.
His narrative style is notable for its meticulous descriptions which bring to life the cities of his time, immersing the reader in his contemporaneous society with a depth that can be overwhelming yet undeniably effective. Although he did not offer a sweeping condemnation of capitalism, his work did spotlight the effects of industrialization on the common person and advocated for social change.
Works by other realistic writers like Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Honoré de Balzac similarly discussed the harsh realities of urban life, though Dickens's particular blend of storytelling, character depth, and rich descriptions paints a memorable picture that still resonates as social commentary today.