Oliver Twist

By - Charles Dickens
(Critique by: B.H.A.R.A. Bangamuarachchi (140072H))
Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 9 June 1870) was an English writer whom contributed
his wisdom of literature to produce several popular social critic novels such as Oliver Twist , Great
Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield etc. Each book holds a unique
story line which contributes itself in criticizing different social aspects.
Oliver Twist is the second novel by Charles dickens and was first published as a serial during 1837-1839
which later due to its popularity translated in to many languages around the world.
The main character of the story is Oliver Twist who was born in a workhouse in London and after the
birth Olivers mother passes away. For 9 years Oliver was mistreated. From the age of 9 he had to work
in the workhouse facing starvation and abuse under his master Mr. Bumble. After a severe punishment
he was sold to an undertaker Mr. Sowerberry. But due to mistreatment and insults faced by him while
working, he run away to London where he meets Jack Dawkins, a renowned pickpocket whom involve
Oliver with Fagin a criminal boss of a gang of young boys. With a failed attempt to rob Mr. Brownlow, a
kind gentleman who take care of Oliver, but later Oliver was kidnaped by Nancy who is a gang member
of Fagin. Fagin again involve Oliver in robing the house of Rose Maylie where Oliver got shot and
treated. After getting better he starts living with them. Monks, later known as Olivers half-brother plots
with Fagin to take over Oliver and make him a criminal. But Nancy with sympathy towards Oliver meets
Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie and informs them about the plan of Fagin and Monks. But she was later
found out by her husband Sikes who beats her to death in a fit of rage which lead to the surrender of the
robing gang. Mr. Bumble whom is curios of Olivers history and parents gets to know about Monks and
learns the history of Oliver Twist which later reveals the family inheritance which was to be passed
down to Oliver. In the end Fagin is sentenced to death for his crimes and Monks dies in a prison cell and
Oliver gets to live with the people he love earning half of the family inheritance.
Oliver Twist is a novel which places itself in the society of 1830s London where the plot is concentrated
on. This novel is mostly important because it criticizes that eras burning problems. In 1834 the Briton
Government agreed upon New Poor Law of 1834 which led to establishment of workhouses which
was known as Spikes. These Workhouses was established for citizens who were poor and who were
suffering lack of jobs. These workhouses had very harsh environments and most of the masters of spikes
ruled inhumanly like Mr. Bumble which we find in the novel. When Oliver Twist was published many
people was shocked like clergymen and editors whom accused Charles Dickens of writing an immoral
book which he defended explaining that the main purpose was to take romance out of crime and show
the underworld of London as a filthy, injustice place.
In this famous Novel Charles Dickens criticizes several themes which includes 1830s Government, Law,
education, penal law, London underground and the injustice in the society but mainly his main theme is
woven around the Poverty and social class in London on that era.

The reader gets his first glimpse of the background of the environment and the word poverty in the first
few paragraphs of the novel where Oliver was given birth. The workhouses and the management, how
hard the life is to live as a poor person back on those days.
Oliver a 9 year old parentless boy, who was supposed to enjoy his life, play with friends, experience love
and caring had to work in a workhouse to earn his meal which was only a small portion of chicken soup.
He was bullied and was casted out from the society. This gives the middle class readers the plague of
poverty the London is suffering and its incurable symptoms. And when he gets the chance to work with
Mr. Sowerberry where he uses Oliver as a mourner at children's funerals. This makes Oliver have a
glimpse of the tinted life of people.
Dickens takes the reader through a dark journey to the London underground characterizing it to human
form in the form of Fagin the rob gang leader , Jack Dawkins, a pickpocket more commonly known by
the nickname the "Artful Dodger", Bets a prostitute, Sikes a murderer etc.
Charles Dickens blend the characters of the story very wisely. Theres a perfect balance between white
characters and black characters as well as gray. He repeatedly takes the characters like Mr. Brownlow,
Rose Maylie to life ensuring that in a world of injustice there are people who swim against the tides. And
villains like Monks a dark character. More importantly a young boy called Oliver Twist, a kid, who has a
heart of a lion to fight against the evil of the world around him and embraces happiness and fights hard
to get loved and cared by others which he lacked as an orphan.
So Charles Dickens prove himself that he is one of the best novelist in the world through this novel
Oliver Twist which is engraved with mystery, experiences of life, 9 year old childs dreams and hopes
while criticizing the worlds social problems like class difference, poverty and injustice.