“Please, sir… I want some more.” These words have become a catchphrase through the countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist. What makes this phrase so powerful is how it signifies the inner suffering and desperation of Oliver’s childhood. Written in 1837, Oliver Twist is a tale of crime, misfortune, love, and hope. Dickens brings dozens of characters to life in order to reveal the suffering of the poor and portray the reality of everyday life in Victorian England. From the start, Oliver’s childhood is full of misfortune. As an orphan, he is transported to a workhouse at the age of nine. There, he toils for hours, stopping his work only to be given a stingy portion of gruel. Oliver is selected by the other starving boys to implore for more food. Infuriated, the workhouse officials sell him to a funeral director. As an apprentice, Oliver is abused and flees to London. In London, Oliver meets a boy known as Jack Dawkins, or the Artful Dodger. Dawkins introduces Oliver to Fagin, an old man who houses a band of young pickpockets. Fagin welcomes Oliver, but a few days later Oliver is falsely arrested, declared innocent, and taken in by a wealthy old gentleman. Meanwhile, Fagin is upset to find Oliver missing and decides to kidnap him with the aid of his accomplice, Bill Sykes. Thus begins an endless clash over possession of Oliver. The incredible thing about Oliver is that despite being tormented, bullied, and abused, he continues to see people positively and treats everyone with respect. Oliver is like a ray of hope in a land of sorrow. He possesses the innocence and compassion which others lack. Although I admire Oliver’s courage and kindness, I find his calm acceptance slightly irritating. I often wish he would retaliate, rather than await rescue. Additionally, Oliver tends to be oblivious to the suffering of others because he is so wrapped up in his own. Due to this, Oliver is not a character that resonates with me.Despite his faults, the Artful Dodger has always been my favorite character. Unlike Oliver, Dodger makes light of his situation and aims for a better life. Dodger and Oliver share common misfortunes, but where calamities weaken Oliver, they only sharpen the Dodger’s wits. Another character frequently overlooked is Fagin. Although Fagin is a criminal, I believe he is compassionate on the inside because he looks after the orphans. He is actually teaching them a way to survive in training them to pickpocket, because there weren’t many ways for orphans to make a living back then. Fagin, Dodger, and Oliver each represent timeless aspects of society. Oliver represents hope and innocence. On the other hand, Fagin represents greed but also compassion. Lastly, the Artful Dodger represents the poor, working class youth striving for a better future. The Artful Dodger has resilience and persistence, yet Oliver tends to be luckier. Perhaps this is because Dickens was promoting kindness, compassion, and honesty. Dawkins lacks honesty, which is why he doesn’t achieve happiness. Meanwhile, Oliver Twist has all of these values, and is eventually cared for and loved. This story is also an example of karma. Oliver is unique because he treats everyone respectfully. In the end, what comes around goes around to everyone. It’s difficult to establish characters as righteous or evil because real people are more complex. The characters are what bring this story to life and make it seem so real to us. Oliver Twist is a touching tale that has remained a timeless classic over the centuries, and I would recommend it to anyone. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Penguin Books, 1838. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist, Reviewed by Vivaan Kartik, 8
Oliver Twist is a literary classic written by Charles Dickens, an English author in the 19th century. I have read an illustrated adaptation of this book. The book is set in London and the protagonist is Oliver who is an orphan. He lived in a workhouse at age 9 but after asking for more food was confined and as a punishment he was apprenticed to Mr. Sowberry who treated him cruelly. When it became unbearable, Oliver escaped to London where he walked straight into the clutches of a gang of pickpockets from where he finds it almost impossible to escape. This book focuses on the darker side of life in those times. Though Oliver Twist is not really a children’s book, I chose Oliver Twist because I was really interested to know what life for children was like in the 19th century. In other books where I have read about the Victorian era I found out that children in those days as young as 6 years old were used as accomplices and were put down chimneys to open the main door for burglars to enter. All these stories made me eager to read Oliver Twist. Though it is a depressing story Oliver finds ‘peace at last’. So the end was definitely my favourite part. A despicable character was Mr Bumble, the master of the workhouse, because he was so callous. (He reminded me of Ms Trunchbull from the book ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl). I would recommend reading this book because it teaches you quite a lot. Orphans were often ill treated and most money given to workhouses was not even used for the welfare of the people living in it. Children being trained for criminal activities was rife in the 19th century in big cities like London and is probably even happening now. The gangs targeted children who were oppressed as they made easy targets. Those children are vulnerable and quickly say yes to anyone who is going to give them food and shelter as they are desperately in need for it without knowing what they are getting into. Oliver Twist is my age and he should be going to school and learning like me but he’s actually deprived of basic necessities and leads a life that is beyond any child’s imagination. An important thing that I learnt from reading this book is that we are very fortunate to have a good family, education, house, food and friends and we must always find happiness with whatever we get. This book like this world has good and bad characters – the good are always fighting for peace while the bad are always trying to deter them. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Penguin Classics, 1839. Buy the book here and support Children’s Art Foundation-Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? If so, comment below!
