Antisemitism in English Literature: Victorian Era

In the 19th century, the Jewish community in England faced both progress and prejudice. While legal reforms began to improve their status, antisemitic stereotypes persisted. In this episode, we turn to Charles Dickens, a towering figure of Victorian literature, whose evolving portrayals of Jewish characters offer a compelling case study. From the malevolent Fagin in Oliver Twist to the empathetic Mr. Riah in Our Mutual Friend, Dickens’ depictions reflect the complex, often contradictory attitudes toward Jews during his time. Subscribe at antisemitism.org/podcast and send us your feedback to podcast@antisemitism.org. Follow us on all socials @antisemitism