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.
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
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to analyze Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist within its historical context, examining how the novel reflects and critiques the social realities of Victorian England. The analysis will focus on Dickens's portrayal of poverty, child labor, and the failings of the Poor Law system.
- The harsh realities of poverty and child labor in Victorian England.
- The critique of the Poor Law system and its impact on the poor.
- Dickens's use of personal experience to inform his social commentary.
- The novel's lasting impact on social reform.
- The relationship between literature and social/political change.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, posing crucial questions about poverty and life in early nineteenth-century England. It establishes Dickens's lifelong commitment to portraying the plight of the poor and positions Oliver Twist as a powerful commentary on social injustices, particularly concerning children. The introduction highlights the author's personal experiences which shaped his perspective and fueled his literary activism.
Victorian Morals and the Poor: This chapter delves into the social and legal landscape of Victorian England, focusing on the prevailing attitudes towards poverty and the mechanisms used to address it. It provides a detailed overview of the Poor Laws and their impact on the poor, particularly children, placing emphasis on the harsh realities of workhouses and the widespread practice of child labor. The chapter sets the historical context for understanding Dickens's critique.
Dickens' Childhood and Background: This section examines Dickens's own life experiences, highlighting the biographical elements that informed his powerful depiction of poverty and child labor in Oliver Twist. It explores the parallels between Dickens's personal struggles and the harsh realities faced by the characters in his novel, underscoring the autobiographical elements that lent authenticity to his social commentary.
Cold Reality of Workhouses: Oliver Twist's Social Commentary: This chapter examines how Dickens uses the fictional narrative of Oliver Twist to expose the appalling conditions within Victorian workhouses. The chapter analyzes the novel as a social commentary, focusing on the ways Dickens uses his storytelling to critique the inadequacies and cruelties of the Poor Law system. The analysis would explore the realism of Dickens' depiction and its lasting influence on social reform.
Keywords
Victorian England, poverty, child labor, Poor Laws, workhouses, Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, social commentary, social reform, biographical influences.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Charles Dickens' *Oliver Twist*
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic analysis of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the analysis of *Oliver Twist*?
The analysis focuses on Oliver Twist within its historical context, examining how the novel reflects and critiques the social realities of Victorian England. Key themes include poverty, child labor, the failings of the Poor Law system, Dickens's personal experiences, and the novel's impact on social reform. The relationship between literature and social/political change is also explored.
What are the main sections of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into the following sections: An introduction setting the scene; a chapter on Victorian morals and the treatment of the poor, including Poor Laws and child labor; a chapter on Dickens' childhood and background; and finally, a chapter analyzing Oliver Twist as a social commentary on the harsh realities of Victorian workhouses.
What is the historical context explored in the analysis?
The analysis delves into the social and legal landscape of Victorian England, exploring prevailing attitudes towards poverty, the Poor Laws, workhouses, and the widespread practice of child labor. This provides the backdrop for understanding Dickens's critique.
How does Dickens's personal life relate to *Oliver Twist*?
The analysis examines the biographical elements that informed Dickens's depiction of poverty and child labor in Oliver Twist, highlighting the parallels between his personal struggles and the experiences of the novel's characters.
How does *Oliver Twist* function as social commentary?
The analysis explores how Dickens uses the novel to expose the appalling conditions within Victorian workhouses and critique the inadequacies and cruelties of the Poor Law system. It analyzes the realism of Dickens' depiction and its lasting influence on social reform.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Victorian England, poverty, child labor, Poor Laws, workhouses, Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, social commentary, social reform, and biographical influences.
What is the overall aim of the analysis?
The analysis aims to provide a thorough understanding of Oliver Twist as a powerful social commentary, reflecting and critiquing the social injustices of Victorian England, particularly concerning children and the poor.
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- Sirinya Pakditawan (Autor:in), 2002, Childhood in Victorian England and Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/59347
