Oliver Twist

Dickens`s second novel was a far cry from THE PICKWICK PAPERS, his first. The story of an orphan who flees the workhouse only to fall in with a gang of thieves and prostitutes in London`s sleazy underworld, it was a trenchant criticism of England`s poor laws. Enacted in the 1830s, these laws provided assistance for the poor only through workhouses, which were deliberately squalid and miserable to encourage the poor--who were considered lazy and immoral--to better themselves and get out. The inequities between rich and poor were one of Dickens`s constant themes, and with OLIVER TWIST he established himself as a staunch champion of the downtrodden, particularly children. The novel also, however, has its cheerful moments, and contains some of Dickens`s most memorable characters, including Fagin, the Artful Dodger, the evil Bill Sykes, and the unfortunate Nancy. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.