During the summer of 1999, I selected Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens as my reading material. I believe that reading this book will enhance my understanding of global studies as it covers various regions and time periods that will be explored in class. Despite considering myself knowledgeable about this classic, I discovered numerous historical events and customs from the protagonist’s era by paying close attention to the setting and surroundings of his life. The subsequent report presents the responses to the provided questions for my summer reading program.
The narrative commences with a woman delivering a baby in the absence of the necessary medical tools and tragically passing away. The young child is raised in an unclean dwelling with scarce food and in unfavorable circumstances. The boy’s true identity remains unknown. The government caretakers assign him the name Oliver. Oliver matures in a world devoid of compassion for destitute orphans. He ventures to London, aiming to escape his cruel guardians and forge a better life for himself. Along his journey, he becomes entangled with a group of thieves and is falsely accused of theft alongside them. Falling ill, he receives care from the very people he attempted to steal from, and they develop affection for him.
The thieves discover Oliver’s whereabouts and abduct him, leading to further acts of theft. They also train Oliver to become a more proficient thief. During one robbery, Oliver is shot and deserted by the criminals. However, the occupants of the targeted house rescue him and offer sanctuary. Eventually, Oliver’s true lineage is unveiled; he was actually destined to inherit his father’s riches, which one of his captors knew all along. After admitting their guilt, Oliver receives his rightful inheritance and lives happily thereafter.
After analyzing the content of this book and examining the settings of both the main characters and supporting characters, it is apparent that the narrative unfolds in two distinct regions of England during the late 1700s to early 1800s. The majority of the plot occurs within warehouses, dilapidated structures, or other covert havens. Additionally, certain scenes transpire within the opulent residences of London’s affluent population. An essential theme throughout the story is the stark societal divide between the urban inhabitants, with the rich and poor residing in separate spheres. Those residing in decrepit, abandoned buildings harbor aspirations of one day inhabiting splendid edifices and dwellings situated in the bustling city of London.
In the novel, the protagonist is Oliver who experiences contrasting days of two distinct classes of people. A wealthy man living comfortably in London with abundant resources has a vastly different day compared to a destitute beggar. Being impoverished, Oliver had to endure strenuous labor and received minimal rewards. He would awaken from an uncomfortable bed in a frigid room shared with others and had only remnants of clothing to wear. Throughout the day, he toiled tirelessly in a factory with limited breaks and received meager compensation. Neither his peers nor his guardians held any fondness for him, resulting in disrespectful treatment.
Many times people of this class would have to resort to stealing just to have enough food to survive. It was not an enjoyable living style for the lower class of people. Oliver was also a member of the rich class at various occasions during the story. He would wake to a heated room in a comfortable bed with a servant ready to bring him what he wanted. There would be plenty of food to eat. The boy would then have a tutor come in and educate him. He was able to keep himself clean and was treated with respect and enjoyed his living style.
At the beginning of the narrative, a young woman is faced with a choice: she can choose to have a son despite the unfavorable circumstances and her potential demise during childbirth, or she can allow the child to perish alongside her. The woman ultimately opts to give birth to the boy. Consequently, Oliver, the boy, experiences a life that proves far more challenging than his mother had anticipated.
This decision caused Oliver to reside with individuals who despised him and treated him poorly during his formative years. However, ultimately, his true self was discovered, leading to a significant improvement in his life. This choice benefitted the woman, as it is preferable to endure a challenging existence rather than having no existence at all.
This report functions as a preview for the upcoming events I will encounter throughout this year. As summer comes to an end, it is time to shift from relaxation to focusing on academic pursuits. I am grateful for the chance to work on this report as it has equipped me for the approaching school year.
