Oliver Twist

             Oliver Twist is born a sickly infant in a workhouse. His birth was witnessed by the parish surgeon and a drunk nurse (later known as Old Sally). His mother kisses his forehead and then she dies. Oliver remains at the workhouse for about nine months, until the authorities hear of his "hungry and destitute situation." They send him to a branch-workhouse for juvenile offenders against the poor laws. The overseer, Mrs. Mann, receives enough money for each child's upkeep, but she keeps most of the money and lets the children go hungry. Since she receives an advanced warning of upcoming inspections, her place always appears neat and clean for the inspectors.
             On Oliver's ninth birthday, Mr. Bumble, the parish beadle (a minor church official), informs Mrs. Mann that Oliver is too old to stay at her establishment. Since no one has been able to locate his father or discover his mother's identity, it has been decided that he must return to the workhouse. Mrs. Mann asks how the boy came to have any name at all. Mr. Bumble tells her that he keeps a list of names in alphabetical order, naming the orphans from the list as they are born. Mrs. Mann calls for Oliver, and when Mr. Bumble is not looking, she glowers and shakes her fist at Oliver. He stays silent about the miserable conditions at her establishment. Before he departs, Mrs. Mann gives him some bread and butter so that he will not seem too hungry at the workhouse.
             Oliver and his young companions suffer the "tortures of slow starvation." After "lots are cast", Oliver must ask for more food at supper. His request so shocks his keepers that they offer five pounds to anyone who will take Oliver off the hands of the parish. They lock him in a dark room, taking him out only to wash and eat, and make an example out of him to frighten other daring children.
             Mr. Gamfield, a brutish chimney sweep, offers to take Oliver as an apprentice, but because several boys have died under his super...

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Oliver Twist. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 09:13, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/35034.html