Oliver Twist unromantically portrays the sordid lives of criminals, and exposes the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid-19th century. The story follows the titular orphan, who, after being raised in a workhouse, escapes to London, where he meets a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin, discovers the secrets of his parentage, and reconnects with his remaining family. It was originally published as a serial from 1837 to 1839, and as a three-volume book in 1838. Oliver Twist or, The Parish Boy's Progress, is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist or, The Parish Boy's Progress Illustration and design by George Cruikshank Exploring troubling issues of the time including child labor, treatment of orphans, and child recruitment into the criminal world, Oliver Twist is one of the earliest examples of a novel exploring social criticism.Frontispiece and title-page, first edition 1838 Oliver is swept up in the corrupt game mastered by Fagin, and once again must escape the grasps of captivity in order to find happiness.Īpart from creating a brilliant piece of literature, Dickens has also documented a significant time in social history.

He is also oblivious to the fact that Fagin is in reality a criminal who trains young boys in the art of pick pocketing. Unaware that his new found companion is a pickpocket, Oliver naively follows Jack to the house of his benefactor Fagin where he is offered shelter. Consequently, Oliver decides to run away and is quickly on his way to London where he meets a boy his own age by the name of Jack Dawkins. Things do not get any easier, as Oliver is bullied by fellow apprentice Noah Claypole who also causes him to be unfairly flogged by their superiors. Subsequently, Oliver is apprenticed to local undertaker, Mr.

Unimpressed by such a request, the authoritarian administrators of the workhouse offer five pounds to anyone willing to take the boy as an apprentice. Bumble and makes his famous plea “Please sir, I want some more”. The unlucky representative of the starving children is Oliver, who goes up to the stern Mr.

One day the young, hungry orphans decide to draw sticks in order to determine who will ask for another portion of gruel. Along with other fellow orphans, he is regularly beaten and underfed. The novel opens with the introduction of Oliver, a waif who has spent his short life living in miserable conditions in a workhouse. After being poorly treated in a workhouse, Oliver escapes to London where instead of finding a better life he ends up tangled in a web of criminal activities. Set in the first half of the 19th century, the classic novel presents the story of young orphan Oliver Twist, who endures tumultuous events in a society burdened by poverty, crime and malice.

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