In his novel “Oliver Twist,” Charles Dickens satirizes Victorian society by examining the Poor Law system, workhouses, orphans, and characters like Oliver and Nancy. Through sarcasm, Dickens illustrates the contrast between Oliver’s world and the reality of Victorian society. During his own childhood, Dickens faced numerous distressing events. When he was only twelve, his father was imprisoned, and he had to work in a shoe blacking factory. These personal encounters with poverty gave him firsthand knowledge of social issues and a strong dedication to advocating for social change. Consequently, Dickens emerged as one of history’s most influential writers on social matters.
Charles Dickens used his fiction works to criticize moral, social, and economic problems in the Victorian era (Charles 1). The emotional and symbolic importance of Oliver Twist to Dickens cannot be overstated (Linsay 172). As he wrote the book, the themes of poverty, injustice, cruel characters, and punishment were all relevant issues in society. Dickens strongly opposed the 1834 New Poor Act, which treated the poor as criminals and reflected harsh utilitarian ethics. According to the Poor Law Board, those who were capable of working were deemed unworthy of anything better than the lowest-paid worker.
Trade unions caused the decline of the Poor Law system, leading to its official abolition in 1948. In his novel Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens depicted the harsh realities of Victorian society, portraying numerous underfed, oppressed, and severely punished orphans. The fear of destitution and poverty was constant in the minds of both adults and children during this era.
During the year 1863, it was observed that numerous towns had a significant population of orphans, with around one in fourteen children in these towns being categorized as paupers. The majority of this destitute population relied on the parish system as part of the Poor Law. In order to aid these paupers, a Board of Directors was appointed, although Dickens does not view them as the ideal candidates for this responsibility. Despite their intentions to assist those in need, Dickens employs sarcasm when referring to them. The Poor Law system had previously aimed to encourage a work ethic (Poverty” 1.). Within his novel, Dickens portrays them as “very sage, deep philosophical men” (Dickens 11).
In his work, Charles Dickens explores the challenges faced by two orphans named Oliver and Rose, who learn valuable lessons of compassion and love through their experiences of adversity. These hardships they encounter throughout their lives, filled with pain and isolation, ultimately shape them into individuals of pure character. This is in stark contrast to the thieving and tumultuous behavior exhibited by paupers during the Victorian era (Baldridge). Oliver’s character embodies traits from the eighteenth century, drawing from Dickens’ childhood memories and providing an emotionally authentic depiction of exploited children during his time (Linsay 179). It is important to note that the workhouses, where orphaned children were often sent, maintained strict discipline.
They received minimal amounts of food to stay alive and were severely punished for breaking strict rules. In the book, Dickens describes the consequences of Oliver’s request for more food: “Please, sir, I want some more.” The master, a corpulent and robust man, instantly paled. He stared in dumbfounded disbelief at the audacious young rebel before leaning on the copper for support. The assistants were immobilized with astonishment while the boys trembled with fear. By depicting Oliver’s ravaging hunger, Dickens vividly illustrates the dire conditions he endured.
Despite the expectation that Oliver would face execution for asking a bold question, he surprised everyone by being sent to confinement to await a new master. In the workhouse, laborers were tasked with breaking stones, picking oakum, making sacks, and grinding corn. While cleanliness standards were enforced, the working conditions were harsh.
Patricia Pulham and Brad Beaven discuss how Dickens explored the workhouse conditions in his journal Workhouse Words in their article “Poverty and the Poor.”
During the 1850s workhouse debate, Dickens witnessed the poverty, misery, starvation, and death that exposed the flaws of the workhouse system. Through his clear presentation and description, Dickens portrays his characters with simplicity. Although some may see Oliver as sentimental or Nancy as an emotionally uncertain prostitute, these depictions are traditional and reflect a tragic truth. Oliver is perceived as a disposable individual who becomes the burden of the parish and is only deemed valuable when he misbehaves enough to be sold for five pounds.
Society perceives Oliver as a liability because he lacks the desired money-driven values and fails to exhibit genuine soul or spirit, according to the Board. Oliver’s behavior and speech distinguish him from other children, possibly appearing arrogant. Dickens portrays Oliver as uniquely innocent and vulnerable, isolating him from expressing himself naturally. Anyone who interacts with Oliver manipulates him like a puppet, exerting influence over him unbeknownst to him. For a significant portion of the novel, Oliver frequently feels disoriented and unsure of his identity.
The text highlights Oliver’s lack of awareness regarding his true self (Duffy 5), which reflects the existing social hierarchy. Throughout the story, Oliver fails to understand how to merge the language used by the upper class and the lower class. This inability prevents him from comprehending the realities of Victorian society (Baldridge). Additionally, Dickens portrays Nancy as a victim of poverty, peer pressure, and a corrupt environment, all of which have forced her into prostitution. He aims to depict the victimization suffered by Victorian women and demonstrates that Nancy’s kind nature has been corrupted due to these circumstances. Furthermore, Dickens showcases Nancy’s self-sacrifice in an attempt to save Oliver and Rose, portraying her loyalty towards her friends. It is important to note that Dickens does not romantically portray iniquity and crime (Charles 1).
In his novel, Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens skillfully portrays the harsh realities of the Victorian era and touches upon the truth of life represented in Al-Mahdi (3-4). Through his use of satire and characterization, Dickens presents a negative image of the cruelty experienced by those in workhouses, orphans, and children. He is widely recognized as one of history’s most esteemed social commentators.
