Oliver+Twist

=Title of the Work= __Oliver Twist__

=Author= Charles Dickens

=Nationality/Ethnic Background= English

=Genre and Sub-genres= Melodrama

=Pertinent Biographical Information= Born in Lanport, Portsea, England on 7 February 1812. Dickens was the second of eight children. At age eleven, Dickens was taken out of school and put to work pasting labels on bottles for six shillings a week. When Dickens father, John Dickens, was sent to prison for un-payed debts he chose to keep Charles working while the rest of the family joined the father in jail. This separation from family caused Charles much pain as he learned to survive by himself at a young age. Once Dickens' family situation improved Dickens went back to school. Then Dickens became an office boy, then a freelance reporter and finally an author. After gaining fame by working with Pickwick Papers from 1836-7, Dickens wnet on to writing many famous work including Oliver Twist (1837), Nicholas Nickleby (1838-9), and The Old Curiosity Shop (1840-41).

=Literary Historical Period/Movement and Pertinent Background= The novel was written as an outrage directed to the English's Poor Laws.

=Major Characters, Their Relationships, Their Conflicts= Oliver Twist: Twist is an orphan who struggles through life. He is caught up in many unfortunate events. He suffers quietly through his misfortunes but still holds his head high. He is a morally good boy that would rather die than do evil. Fagin: Fagin is a Jew who wants riches. He is described throughout the novel as having reptile-like characteristics. Mr. Bumble: Bumble is a conceited man who will do anything to be on top in society. He wants money and fame. Noah Claypole: Noah is a cowardly bully who is Mr. Sowerberry's apprentice, but later joins Fagin's gang. Bill Sikes: Bill is a burglar who was brought up in Fagin's gang. He is also Nancy's lover. Throughout the novel he is described as brutal and his murder of Nancy is seen as the worst crime in the novel. Monks: Monks is Oliver's half brother. He wants to get rid of Oliver so that he can have all the glory and fortune for himself. He attempts to destroy Oliver and his reputation, but Oliver has no reputation. Nancy: Nancy is a poor girl who gets by in life by succumbing to people's wants. She feels sorry for Oliver. Mr. Brownlow: He is Oliver's father's close friend. He later adopts Oliver. He has doubts about Oliver's background until he realizes exactly who he is.

=Brief Plot Summary= Oliver's mother died during childbirth, leaving him as an orphan. He grew up in a workhouse and was treated harshly with little food or comfort. After asking for more food, Mr. Bumble puts him up for sale and sells him to Mr. Sowerberry, an undertaker. Mr. Sowerberry treats Oliver better, but his wife, apprentice and maidservant all hate him. They make a joint effort to make Oliver's life miserable, so he decides to leave and head to London. In London, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger, who takes Oliver under his wing in the pickpocketing world. Oliver is introduced to Dodger's boss, Fagin. Oliver is grateful for their hospitality until he is sent out on one of Dodger's missions. He discovers that they are all pickpocketers and is appalled. Dodger and his companion, Charley Bates, pickpocket an old gentleman named Mr. Brownlow. Oliver is captured and is thought to be the perpetrator, since Charley and Dodger are nowhere to be found. Oliver is sent before a judge. A witness to the crime clears Oliver's name. Oliver faints in the courthouse, due to an illness, so Mr. Brownlow takes him home for him to recover. In the days to follow, Oliver tells Mr. Brownlow his life story. Mr. Brownlow grows to trust the boy. Once Oliver is feeling better, Mr. Brownlow sends Oliver out to return some books to the bookstore. Nancy, one of Fagin and Sikes' minions, captures Oliver and sends him back to Fagin. Fagin and the boys attempt to beat him and steal his new clothes, but Nancy sympathizes for him and protects him. Fagin sends Oliver off to assist in a burglary with Sikes. The burglary goes wrong, and Oliver is shot. Sikes runs and leaves Oliver for dead. The owners of the house that Sikes and Oliver were stealing from find Oliver and treat him. Miss Rose and Mrs. Maylie attempt to patch him up. Meanwhile, Monks comes across Fagin and scolds him for not destroying Oliver. Mr. Bumble marries Ms. Corney, the wealthy workhouse matron. Mr. Bumble realizes that marrying rich is not what he thought it would be. He is miserable, until he comes across Monks. Monks questions him about Oliver. The Bumbles later meet with Monks and plan to throw a locket and ring, a family heirloom of Oliver's, in the river. Monks relays the information to Fagin as part of the plot to destroy Oliver. Nancy overhears and goes to tell Oliver's caretakers the news. Noah, Sowerberry's former apprentice, comes into the picture again and works for Fagin. He spies on Nancy and discovers that she is a traitor. Fagin tells Sikes the news, and Sikes beats her to death. Sikes is then haunted by her, and dies in fear. Oliver returns to Mr. Brownlow, where everything is settled. Monks turns out to be Oliver's half-brother. Oliver turns out to be Mr. Brownlow's friend's son. He has a picture of Oliver's mother hanging up in his house. Once discovering who he is, Oliver splits his inheritance with Monks. Monks moves to America, fills his life with crime again, and dies in prison. Fagin is sentenced to death. Oliver visits him, but Fagin is too consumed with fear to notice. Miss Rose is apparently Oliver's mother's long-lost sister, making her his aunt. She marries her true love and they move away. Oliver ends up living with Mr. Brownlow. Noah becomes an informer to the police. The Bumbles lose their jobs and become poor, working in the same workhouse they have been head of for years. Charley Bates becomes an honest citizen. The Dodger is caught in a crime and sent to Australia. Everyone's actions have brought upon their fate.

=Motifs (Recurring Images, Ideas, Figures of Speech, Symbols, Colors) & Their Thematic Significance=

Individualism-Fagin believes that people should only look out for themselves. This is what Fagin tells Noah when he first joined Fagin's gang. Disguised/Mistaken Identity-Oliver's true identity is hidden until the end of the novel. Women's role in society-Nancy is treated cruelly by every man. She has no say so in anything. She and other women are meant to cook, clean, and do what they are told. She lives a poor life due to her status in society. She was born into her level of society, and there is nothing that she could do about it. Crime doesn't pay-Characters like Fagin, Mr. Bumble, and Mr. Sikes all commit crimes and do things that are morally wrong to get ahead in life in the end they all meet their demise.

=Other Significant Thematic Elements (Significant Character's Names, Significant Quotations, Significant Actions/Events)= Oliver's last name is ironic because in his life, there is always a "twist" up ahead.

=Major Themes=

Charity is not always seen as the right thing to do. A person is born into his/her level of society. Kindness can be found in the most unlikely places. Love concurs material desire.