Oliver Twist Literary Analysis

 Absolutely! Here's a literary analysis of Oliver Twist for B1 high school students, followed by 40 questions and their answers.

Oliver Twist: A Glimpse into Victorian London's Dark Side

Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist is a famous novel that tells the story of a young orphan boy, Oliver, who faces many hardships in Victorian England. It's not just an exciting adventure; it's also a powerful message about the problems in society at that time.

Oliver: The Good Heart in a Bad World

Oliver is a pure and innocent boy, even though he grows up in very difficult places like workhouses and with criminals. He never loses his good nature, and he always tries to do what is right. This makes him different from most of the people around him, who are often greedy, cruel, or dishonest. Oliver represents hope and the idea that goodness can exist even in the darkest environments.

Workhouses: Places of Suffering

The novel starts in a workhouse, which was a real place in Victorian England where poor people went to live and work. Dickens shows these workhouses as terrible places, where people were starved and treated badly. Oliver's famous line, "Please, sir, I want some more," highlights the severe hunger and injustice the poor faced. Dickens uses the workhouse to criticize the harsh Poor Laws of the time, which he believed did not help the poor but instead made their lives worse.

The Criminal Underworld: A Dangerous Society

When Oliver runs away, he falls into the hands of a group of criminals led by Fagin. This part of the story shows the dark side of London, with pickpockets, thieves, and murderers. Fagin is a manipulative old man who teaches young boys to steal. The characters Bill Sikes, a violent housebreaker, and Nancy, a kind-hearted but trapped young woman, are also part of this world. Dickens uses these characters to show the dangers and moral decay that could be found in the city. He also shows that even in this bad world, some people, like Nancy, can have good qualities and show compassion.

Good vs. Evil: A Clear Battle

Oliver Twist is a clear story of good versus evil. Oliver and the kind people who help him, like Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie, represent goodness, honesty, and compassion. On the other hand, characters like Fagin, Sikes, and Monks represent evil, greed, and cruelty. Dickens uses this clear contrast to make his point about right and wrong and to highlight the importance of kindness and justice.

Social Commentary: Dickens's Message

One of the most important things about Oliver Twist is its "social commentary." This means Dickens is using his story to criticize and talk about the problems in society. He wanted to make people aware of the poverty, crime, and injustice that many people faced in Victorian England. He hoped that by showing these problems, people would want to make changes and help those in need.

Why is Oliver Twist Still Important?

Even today, Oliver Twist is important because it reminds us to be kind, to fight for justice, and to care about those who are less fortunate. It shows us that even one small boy can make a difference and find happiness, despite facing huge challenges.

40 Questions about Oliver Twist

 * What is Oliver's last name at the beginning of the book?

 * Where does Oliver grow up at the very beginning of the story?

 * What famous line does Oliver say in the workhouse that causes trouble?

 * Who is the first person Oliver meets after running away to London?

 * What is Fagin's main job or "business"?

 * Who is the large, violent man associated with Fagin?

 * What is the name of the kind young woman who is involved with Bill Sikes?

 * What item does the Artful Dodger try to steal from Mr. Brownlow?

 * Where does Oliver go after he is taken in by Mr. Brownlow for the first time?

 * What is the name of Mr. Brownlow's kind housekeeper?

 * Who is the mysterious man who seems interested in Oliver's past?

 * What is Monks's real relationship to Oliver?

 * What is the name of the kind lady who lives with Mr. Brownlow? (She is later revealed to be Oliver's aunt.)

 * What terrible act does Bill Sikes commit that shocks everyone?

 * What is the name of Sikes's dog?

 * How does Nancy try to help Oliver?

 * Who does Nancy meet secretly to give information about Fagin and Sikes?

 * What happens to Nancy because of her actions?

 * What is the fate of Bill Sikes?

 * What is the fate of Fagin?

 * What is the name of the Bow Street Runner (policeman) who investigates the crimes?

 * What does Oliver discover about his parents?

 * What was Oliver's mother's name?

 * What was Oliver's father's name?

 * What was Oliver's father's profession?

 * What was the name of the older woman who knew Oliver's mother and kept a secret?

 * Where did Oliver's mother die?

 * What item did Oliver's mother leave behind that was important for his identity?

 * What is the name of the town where Oliver was born?

 * What social problem does Dickens highlight with the workhouse?

 * What social problem does Dickens highlight with the criminal gang?

 * What is the general mood or atmosphere of the criminal parts of the novel?

 * How do Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie treat Oliver?

 * What does Oliver want to be when he grows up?

 * What is the name of the kind doctor who helps Oliver?

 * What is the ultimate outcome for Oliver at the end of the book?

 * Does Oliver ever become a criminal?

 * What does the character of Nancy show about people in bad situations?

 * What is the main message Dickens wants to send about social justice?

 * Why is Oliver Twist still read today?

Answers to Questions about Oliver Twist

 * No last name at the beginning; he is given "Twist" by Mr. Bumble.

 * A workhouse.

 * "Please, sir, I want some more."

 * The Artful Dodger (Jack Dawkins).

 * He is a fence (he buys stolen goods) and a trainer of young pickpockets.

 * Bill Sikes.

 * Nancy.

 * A handkerchief.

 * To Mr. Brownlow's house.

 * Mrs. Bedwin.

 * Monks.

 * He is Oliver's half-brother.

 * Rose Maylie.

 * He murders Nancy.

 * Bull's-eye.

 * She tries to give information to Mr. Brownlow and Rose about Oliver's past and Fagin's plans.

 * Rose Maylie and Mr. Brownlow.

 * Bill Sikes brutally murders her.

 * He accidentally hangs himself while trying to escape from a rooftop.

 * He is arrested, tried, and hanged.

 * Mr. Blathers and Mr. Duff, and later Mr. Losberne helps too. (The main one involved in the hunt for Sikes is really just the general "hue and cry" rather than one specific Bow Street Runner taking the lead).

 * He discovers that he is the son of a wealthy man and that he has a kind aunt, Rose Maylie.

 * Agnes Fleming.

 * Edwin Leeford.

 * He was a wealthy gentleman.

 * Old Sally (or Old Anny).

 * In the workhouse where Oliver was born.

 * A locket and a ring.

 * An unnamed town in the countryside (often described as Mudfog in earlier works by Dickens).

 * The harshness and cruelty of the Poor Laws and the mistreatment of the poor.

 * The dangers of crime, the exploitation of children, and the lack of social support for those who fall into a life of crime.

 * Dark, dangerous, desperate, and often violent.

 * With kindness, love, and protection. They treat him like family.

 * He grows up to be a kind and gentle man, living with Mr. Brownlow. He does not pursue a specific profession beyond being educated and becoming a gentleman.

 * Dr. Losberne.

 * He finds a loving family, his true identity, and lives a happy, secure life with Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie.

 * No, he always resists becoming a criminal and maintains his good nature.

 * That even in the worst circumstances, people can have good hearts, loyalty, and the capacity for compassion and sacrifice.

 * That society has a responsibility to care for its most vulnerable members, and that poverty and crime are often the results of social injustice.

 * Because its themes of good versus evil, social injustice, and the triumph of innocence are timeless and continue to resonate with readers.