Oliver Twist

 

"Oliver Twist," written by Charles Dickens and first published in serial form from 1837 to 1839, is a novel that vividly portrays the harsh conditions of 19th-century England, particularly the brutal realities faced by the poor and orphaned. The story follows the life of Oliver Twist, an orphan born in a workhouse. His mother dies shortly after his birth, and Oliver is raised under the cruel regime of the workhouse system.

At nine years old, Oliver is apprenticed to an undertaker, but after being mistreated, he escapes and walks to London. Here, he meets Jack Dawkins, or the Artful Dodger, a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal, Fagin. Innocent and naive, Oliver is drawn into a world of crime without fully understanding what is happening. He is arrested for a theft he did not commit but is eventually cleared.

During this time, Mr. Brownlow, a kindly gentleman, takes an interest in Oliver and offers him a chance at a better life. However, Oliver’s past continues to haunt him, as Fagin and the sinister Bill Sikes fear he might betray them. After several dramatic twists and turns, including being kidnapped by Fagin’s gang and later inadvertently involved in a burglary that nearly costs him his life, Oliver’s true heritage is revealed.

It turns out that Oliver is the lost nephew of Mr. Brownlow, who had been searching for him. The novel resolves with justice being served to the wicked characters—Sikes accidentally hangs himself while fleeing from a mob, and Fagin is arrested and sentenced to death. The good characters find peace and redemption: Oliver lives happily with his newfound family, and other kind-hearted characters also find better lives.

"Oliver Twist" is a critique of the societal injustices of Dickens’ time, highlighting the exploitation of the vulnerable in society, such as orphans and women, and criticizing the workhouse system that punished the poor rather than helping them. The novel combines rich characterisation with biting social commentary, making it both a compelling drama and an important social document.