Oliver Twist 

an Analysis 

in 9 Literary Elements

"Oliver Twist," authored by Charles Dickens, is a landmark piece of Victorian literature published from 1837 to 1839. The narrative unfolds in industrializing England.

To gain a deeper understanding of "Oliver Twist's" context, we suggest checking out our YouTube video series:

• Literary Trends: The Victorian Age (Part 1)
• Literary Trends: The Victorian Age (Part 2)
• Literary Trends: The Victorian Age (Part 3)

These videos delve into the social, economic, and cultural factors that shaped Victorian literature, including:

• The effects of the Industrial Revolution
• The introduction of the New Poor Law of 1834
• The rise of social reform movements
• The novel's emergence as a dominant literary form

Explanation of the Title

The title can be broken down into parts for better understanding. The full title, "Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress," contains significant elements related to the plot, characters, and themes of the novel.

Firstly, "Oliver Twist" immediately directs our attention to the protagonist. The surname "Twist" is especially meaningful, hinting at the many unexpected twists and turns in Oliver's life throughout the story.

Secondly, the subtitle "The Parish Boy's Progress" sheds light on Oliver's background and the novel's focus. As we follow Oliver's journey from an orphan in a parish workhouse to his eventual rise in social status, the term "Progress" becomes particularly ironic, contrasting with the difficulties he endures and subtly critiquing the concept of societal progress in Victorian England.

Moreover, this subtitle cleverly alludes to John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," a well-known Christian allegory. In this allegory, Bunyan illustrates the spiritual journey of a character named Christian as he navigates the trials and challenges on his path to the Celestial City. Much like Christian's journey, the subtitle hints at a similar voyage of growth and transformation, inviting readers to reflect on their own personal journeys. Dickens hints at the moral and spiritual journey that Oliver will undertake while simultaneously subverting expectations by offering a gritty, realistic portrayal of a poor orphan's struggles in an unjust society rather than an idealized spiritual quest.

Publication

"Oliver Twist" was first published in a serialized form in Bentley's Miscellany, a monthly magazine, from February 1837 to April 1839. This installment format was common in Victorian literature, allowing Dickens to gauge reader responses and adapt the story as it unfolded.

The novel was subsequently released as a three-volume book in 1838, even before the serial publication was complete. This dual format was typical of the era, maximizing reach and profitability for popular works.

Sources of Inspiration

Dickens drew from various sources for "Oliver Twist":

1. John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress,": This intertextual nod not only enriches the narrative but also encourages a deeper contemplation of the themes of perseverance, faith, and redemption.
2. Personal experiences: He worked in a blacking factory as a child, witnessing the harsh realities of child labor firsthand.
3. Social issues: The New Poor Law of 1834, which established workhouses, significantly influenced the novel's critique of social injustice.
4. Gothic literature: Elements of the Gothic novel, popular in the early 19th century, appear in Dickens' depiction of London's criminal underbelly.
5. Newgate novels: A popular genre focusing on criminals and their exploits, which shaped Dickens' portrayal of characters such as Fagin and Bill Sikes.
6. Sociological studies: Contemporary reports on child poverty and crime in London informed Dickens' realistic depictions.

Genre

"Oliver Twist" is an early Victorian novel that exemplifies many traits of 19th-century English literature but also falls into several literary genres:

• Social novel or social problem novel: It addresses issues of poverty, child labor, and social injustice.
• Bildungsroman: A literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist.
• Satire: It employs humor and irony to critique social institutions and practices.
• Melodrama: It uses sensational and emotional appeals to engage readers and highlight social issues.

Structure and plot

"Oliver Twist" follows a linear chronological structure, with occasional flashbacks to reveal backstory, which provides depth, motivation, and context, allowing readers to understand the complexities and nuances of a character's actions and decisions. 

For instance, a hero's backstory might include a traumatic event that spurred their desire for justice, or a defining moment when they discovered their unique abilities.

The novel can be divided into three main parts:

1. Oliver's early life in the workhouse and his escape to London (Chapters 1-11)
2. Oliver's adventures with Fagin's gang of pickpockets (Chapters 12-28)
3. Oliver's rescue and the revelation of his true identity (Chapters 29-53)

The narrative's structure builds tension and mystery surrounding Oliver's true identity, gradually unveiled throughout the story. Each serialized installment typically concluded with a cliffhanger, keeping readers engaged and eager for the next chapter.

The plot revolves around young Oliver Twist's life and adventures, from his birth in a workhouse to the discovery of his true identity and family. Dickens skillfully interweaves multiple storylines, creating a rich tapestry of characters and events that converge around Oliver's fate, evoking empathy and delivering a powerful critique of Victorian society's treatment of the poor.

Characters

Oliver Twist - The young orphan boy who is the main protagonist of the story.

Fagin - A cunning old man who leads a group of young pickpockets.

Nancy - A kind-hearted young woman who is part of Fagin's gang but cares deeply for Oliver.

Bill Sikes - A brutal criminal associated with Fagin.

Monks - whose real name is Edward Leeford, is Oliver's half-brother and one of the primary antagonists in the story. Consumed by greed and jealousy, Monks is determined to ruin Oliver's chances of inheriting the family fortune. He conspires with Fagin to ensure that Oliver's true heritage remains hidden and that he is kept in a life of crime and poverty.

Mr. Bumble - The pompous beadle of the workhouse where Oliver is born.

The Artful Dodger (Jack Dawkins) - A clever young pickpocket who befriends Oliver.

Mr. Brownlow - A benevolent gentleman who helps Oliver.

Mrs. Maylie - A kind woman who takes Oliver in and cares for him.

Rose Maylie - Mrs. Maylie's compassionate and beautiful niece.

Mr. Grimwig - A somewhat skeptical but kind friend of Mr. Brownlow.

The novel explores the contrasting lives of the rich and the poor, highlighting the stark disparities that defined the era. Characters such as Fagin and Bill Sikes embody the darker elements of society, representing greed, corruption, and brutality. In contrast, Nancy, despite her involvement with these criminal characters, shows a complex mix of compassion and moral struggle, ultimately sacrificing herself for Oliver's well-being.

The Artful Dodger and his gang illustrate the cunning and resilience required to survive in the underbelly of London, while Mr. Brownlow represents the kindness and generosity that can be found amidst adversity.

Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, Dickens not only entertains but also invites readers to reflect on social justice, morality, and the capacity for change, human condition, and social divides.

Setting

Setting in Time

Oliver Twist is set in the early 19th century, a period characterized by the rigid class divisions of Victorian England. The novel reflects the era's harsh social realities, particularly the impact of the New Poor Law of 1834, which restructured public assistance for the poor, leading to the establishment of workhouses. These institutions, designed to provide for the poor, were often dehumanizing, with conditions so hard that Dickens used Oliver's experiences to expose their cruelty. The Industrial Revolution also plays a background role, contributing to the overcrowding and poverty in cities like London. Dickens critiques this period's progress, juxtaposing the rapid economic development with the moral and ethical regression that allowed the exploitation and neglect of the poor to flourish.

Setting in Place

The geographical setting of Oliver Twist plays a fundamental role in illustrating the social divide. The slums of London, depicted as grim and oppressive, contrast sharply with the cleaner, wealthier neighborhoods. The city itself becomes a character in the novel, reflecting the corrupt and dark nature of its inhabitants in areas like Fagin's den, while more prosperous areas symbolize hope and potential salvation. Oliver's journey from the grim workhouses and crime-infested streets to the relative safety of Mr. Brownlow's home further reinforces the theme of social mobility and the transformative power of kindness in a city otherwise marked by cruelty.

Narrative Techniques

Dickens employs various narrative techniques in "Oliver Twist":

• Third-person omniscient narrator: An all-knowing narrator provides insight into the thoughts and feelings of all characters, allowing for commentary on actions and broader social issues. This is particularly true in Chapter 1, where the narrator sets the stage for Oliver's story with an all-knowing perspective.

• Irony and sarcasm: These elements critique social institutions and expose hypocrisy, such as the workhouse board members who preach charity while treating the poor cruelly.

"Please, sir, I want some more." in Chapter 2, highlighting the irony of Oliver's desperate situation in the workhouse.

• Vivid descriptions: Detailed portrayals of settings and characters bring 19th-century London to life, contrasting the squalor of slums with the comforts of middle-class homes.

"The boys were all dressed in the same coarse brown stuff, which was made to last as long as it could." Dickens provides vivid descriptions in Chapter 3, where he details Oliver's experiences and the grim conditions of the workhouse.

• Symbolism: Characters and settings often represent larger social issues or moral concepts, exemplified by Oliver's innocence and Fagin's corruption.

"He was but a child... yet he had been in a world of crime." In Chapter 8, Oliver's innocence is symbolically contrasted with Fagin's corruption throughout the novel.

• Foreshadowing: Hints about future events are woven throughout the narrative, particularly concerning Oliver's true identity.

"He was destined for great things." This phrase hints at Oliver's true identity in Chapter 10, where discussions about his parentage begin to surface.

• Cliff-hangers: These are used at the end of serialized installments to maintain reader engagement.

"And now, reader, we must leave Oliver in his new home." This line at the end of Chapter 7, leaves readers anxious about Oliver's fate after he runs away.

• Direct address to the reader: Occasionally, the narrator speaks directly to the reader, inviting moral reflection on the story's events.

"I am not going to tell you how much time has passed..." The narrator directly addresses the reader in Chapter 20, inviting reflection on the unfolding events and moral implications.

Themes

"Oliver Twist" delves into several interconnected themes:

1. Social injustice and poverty: The novel critiques the treatment of the poor, especially children, in Victorian society.
2. Identity and belonging: Oliver's quest for his true identity and place in the world is central to the narrative.
3. Good vs. Evil: The conflict between Oliver's innate goodness and the corrupt world around him.
4. The failure of charity: Dickens critiques both private and public forms of charity as ineffective and often harmful.
5. Crime and punishment: The novel explores the causes and consequences of criminal behavior.
6. The power of love and compassion: Characters like Nancy and Mr. Brownlow demonstrate kindness to Oliver despite societal norms.
7. Class disparity: The stark contrast between the lives of the poor and the wealthy in Victorian society is a recurring theme.
8. The effects of environment on character: Dickens examines how surroundings and upbringing shape moral character while asserting the possibility of inherent goodness, as illustrated by Oliver.

By exploring these themes, Dickens not only crafts a compelling narrative but also provides a poignant critique of Victorian society and its institutions.