 According to Ian Ker ("The Catholic Revival in English Literature, 1845–1961", 2003), "In Chesterton's eyes Dickens belongs to Merry, not Puritan, England"; Ker treats Chesterton's thought in Chapter 4 of that book as largely growing out of his true appreciation of Dickens, a somewhat shop-soiled property in the view of other literary opinions of the time.Chesterton's writings consistently displayed wit and a sense of humour.He employed paradox, while making serious comments on the world, government, politics, economics, philosophy, theology and many other topics.