Oliver Twist: Effects of Social Class
The Novel Oliver Twist is one of Charles Dickens' most well known and loved works. The central character, Oliver, has been seen for generations as a symbol of innocence in a corrupt world. It is important to note that many of the themes that Dickens explored are pertinent not only to his time but to our modern world as well. The themes of Oliver Twist, such as innocence versus evil, are reflected in the main character and the other characters that he encounters. The themes of this book also include the effects of social class and the way that the society of the time was unjust and cruel in many respects. In the book Oliver is an orphan whose mother died in childbirth. He spends the first few years of his life on a 'baby farm' but is sent to work in a workhouse at the age of nine, run by Mr. Bumble, the parish beadle. Oliver and the other children in the workhouse are poorly treated and continually hungry. When Oliver is persuaded to ask for more food, there is a terrible outcry from the authorities. Oliver's simple request -
Throughout the book we encounter the contrast between good and evil and kindness and cruelty. Bumble loses his position and actually becomes a resident of the very workhouse that he once ran with such callous disregard for others. Oliver is eventually shot and wounded in a robbery that "goes wrong" He is into the care of the kindly Mr. In conclusion, the story that Dickens weaves around the experiences of the character of Oliver Twist serves not only as an interesting narrative of the life of the character but also reflects the problems in society at the time. " (Oliver Twist) That an innocent and hungry child should be refused such as simple request underscores the unjustness and cruelty that Dickens reveals in the society of the time. As a result of his audacious request and his 'ungratefulness', Oliver is 'sold' to anyone who will take him and he is involved in a number of experiences in the often unfeeling society. " The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arms; and shrieked aloud for the beadle. There are many other permutations to the plot, with many characters and subplots in the novel that all interlink. Oliver's life becomes even more dangerous and unsettled when he runs away because of ill treatment and he ends up with a group of thieves and pickpockets. However what makes a novel like Oliver Twist still so popular today is that it deals with perennial themes that we still experience in contemporary life, such as the conflict between good and evil in modern society. Sowerberry is kind to Oliver, his wife and others are not.
Common topics in this essay:
Oliver Twist,
Sowerberry Oliver,
Bill Sykes,
Charles Dickens',
Sykes Oliver,
oliver twist,
Brownlow Nancy,
Century England,
bad world,
novel oliver twist,
beadle oliver,
simple request,
care kindly,
bill sykes,
character oliver,
main character,
novel oliver,
|
Acceptance Essays
