Charles Dickens' works were significantly influenced by the historical context of Victorian England. The Industrial Revolution brought rapid economic and social change, creating stark disparities between the wealthy and the impoverished. Dickens' own experiences with poverty as a child shaped his literary themes, as he often depicted the struggles of the working class and criticized societal injustices. His novels, such as "Oliver Twist" and "David Copperfield," explored issues of child labor, class disparity, and the plight of the marginalized, serving as compelling critiques of his time's societal norms.