In "Oliver Twist", Dickens presents the everyday existence of the lowest members of English society and realistically portrays the horrible conditions of the nineteenth century workhouses. Hence, in the story of Oliver Twist, Dickens uses past experiences from his childhood and targets the Poor Law of 1834 which renewed the importance of the workhouse as a means of relief for the poor. In fact, Dickens’ age was a period of industrial development marked by the rise of the middle class. In the elections brought about by the accession of William IV in 1830, the Tories lost control of the government. Assumption of power by the Whigs opened the way to an era of accelerated progress.
In this time period, children worked just as much, if not more, than some of the adults. After 1833, an increased amount of legislation was enacted to control the hours of labour and working conditions for children and women in manufacturing plants. The Poor Law of 1834 wanted to make the workhouse more of a deterrent to idleness as it was believed that people were poor because they were lazy and needed to be punished. So people in workhouses were deliberately treated harshly and the workhouses were similar to prisons.
In the following, it will be analyzed how Dickens attacks the defects of existing institutions in his novel "Oliver Twist". Hence, it will be shown how Dickens creates a fictive world that was a mirror in which the truths of the real world were reflected. However, firstly, it is necessary to take a closer look at the historical background. Thus, the attitude of Victorian society towards the poor comes into view and with it the central issues of child labour, Poor Laws and workhouse conditions. Secondly, when regarding the central theme of child labour in "Oliver Twist", one must also be aware of Dickens’ childhood and social background, "Oliver Twist" being partly an autobiographic novel.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Victorian Morals and the Poor
- Poor Laws and Workhouses
- Child Labour
- Dickens' Childhood and Background
- Cold Reality of Workhouses: Oliver Twist's Social Commentary
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work aims to analyze Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist" and explore its social commentary on poverty, child labor, and workhouse conditions in Victorian England. The novel serves as a reflection of the harsh realities faced by the poor during this era, highlighting the plight of children specifically.
- Victorian social attitudes towards the poor
- The impact of the Poor Laws and workhouses on children
- The prevalence of child labor and its exploitative nature
- The role of literature in social commentary and reform
- Dickens' personal experiences and their influence on the novel
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the context of poverty in early nineteenth-century England and establishes the significance of Charles Dickens' work in addressing these issues. The chapter emphasizes the lack of voice and the harsh realities experienced by the poor, particularly children, in Victorian society.
- Victorian Morals and the Poor: This chapter delves into the social and legal structures that shaped the lives of the poor in Victorian England. It discusses the Poor Laws, workhouses, and the widespread use of child labor. The chapter sheds light on the exploitative conditions endured by children as they were used to fuel economic growth.
- Dickens' Childhood and Background: This chapter examines Dickens' personal experiences and how they influenced his writing. It explores his childhood exposure to poverty and the harsh realities of workhouses, ultimately shaping his perspective and artistic expression.
- Cold Reality of Workhouses: Oliver Twist's Social Commentary: This chapter explores the central theme of the novel, focusing on the portrayal of workhouses as a means of relief for the poor. It highlights Dickens' critique of the Poor Law of 1834 and its impact on the lives of those who relied on workhouses. The chapter emphasizes the novel's role in exposing the flaws of existing institutions and advocating for social change.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This work focuses on the social realities of Victorian England, particularly concerning poverty, child labor, and workhouse conditions. Key concepts include the Poor Law, social commentary, child exploitation, Victorian morals, and the use of literature as a means to advocate for social reform.
- Quote paper
- Sirinya Pakditawan (Author), 2002, Childhood in Victorian England and Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/59347
