In 'Hard Times', characters like Mr. Gradgrind have names that are symbolic. Gradgrind represents the harsh, unyielding industrialist who grinds down everything in his path, including the spirits of the people around him. The name is a great way for Dickens to quickly convey the nature of the character to the reader without having to spend too much time on description.
Oliver Twist is another well - known name. Oliver is a symbol of purity and vulnerability in a cruel world. His name has become synonymous with the idea of an orphan facing hardships. Dickens uses his name to evoke sympathy from the readers.
Take the name Fagin from 'Oliver Twist'. The name Fagin has come to be associated with a sly and untrustworthy character. It has a harsh, guttural sound that makes the character seem menacing. Dickens was very clever in choosing names that would immediately give the reader an idea of the character's nature. In many cases, the names are like little summaries of the characters' personalities.
In Dickens' 'Great Expectations', there is Pip. Pip is a complex character whose name is simple yet memorable. His journey from a poor boy with 'great expectations' to a more self - aware man is central to the story. Then there's Miss Havisham from the same novel. Her name gives an air of mystery and decay, much like her character who is jilted at the altar and lives in a state of arrested development in her dilapidated mansion.
Some well - known names are Pip from 'Great Expectations'. Pip is a complex character whose name is simple yet evocative. His journey from a poor boy to a gentleman is central to the story.
Another name is 'Grip' from 'Barnaby Rudge'. Grip was a raven in the novel, but it could also be an interesting and unique name for a dog. The character of Grip was quite memorable, and using it as a dog name would give the dog a touch of Dickensian charm.