Reflections of Society in Literature

Among all of the works of Charles Dickens, perhaps none explores the plight of those least able to defend themselves in early nineteenth century England, the orphans, as does Oliver Twist. Certainly, Dickens’ novels invariably have some commentary on the society of his day as a central point to them, but most usually only allude to the conditions that existed in the workhouses where most of the country’s orphans were assigned, and where many in fact perished.

It is this progressive air that permeates Dickens works that has always attracted me to the author, and has in fact made him my very favorite scribe for some time. No matter the human or societal foible he is exposing, Charles Dickens always sought to imprint upon his readers the notion that things need to be changed, and that they can be changed, and must be changed.

And so it is with Oliver Twist, a novel that follows the young orphan of the same name. Raised in a parish workhouse, Oliver is underfed, overworked, and continually mistreated by the corrupt administrators of the home, who are more concerned with lining their own pockets by cutting corners than they are with the welfare of the children entrusted to them.

Oliver’s life undergoes a profound change when, in one of the most famous scenes in all literature, he has the temerity to ask for more food. Now seen as a subversive element amongst the rest of the children, he is consigned to an apprenticeship with an undertaker and a life that is little better than the one that he has left behind. Reaching a point at which he can bear no more, Oliver runs away and heads for London, where he soon falls into the clutches of Fagin, an unsavory character who takes young boys like Oliver from the street and turns them into pickpockets.

This is not the life intended for Oliver, however, and through the course of events, he eventually meets two much more reputable benefactors. Unfortunately, he must ever be wary of Fagin and his minions, who constantly seek to return him to their malevolent trade. Oliver’s story builds to a climax that will resolve his past as well as his future, all the while presenting the reader with a few surprises and unexpected plot twists.

Oliver Twist was originally presented to readers in serial format. Consequently, there are many chapters to the book (53 actually), and each is prefaced with a few lines form the author describing what will occur. The novel is classic Dickens; jam packed with his wonderful prose that is a pure delight to read. His descriptions are vivid and come to life perfectly in the mind’s eye. His characters are endearing when he wants them to be, loathsome when that is his desire.

But more than just an enjoyable read, Oliver Twist is also a window on English society of the 1830s. At times, his depictions of the conditions prevalent in the workhouses, staffed by incompetents and greedy self-aggrandizers, are quite depressing. We wonder today how a society could provide so little for its most innocent members. Is it any wonder then that some of them would turn to crime, as did the Artful Dodger, simply to survive? Dickens seems to say no, and his characters are thus a powerful indictment of the workhouse system then in place.

Dickens genius is in his ability to transport us back to his own time, but also to make us clearly see the flaws of his contemporary period as well. As such, he manages here to satirize the treatment of orphans, the English judicial system, and the death penalty, among other things.

In the end, things will work out well for Oliver, as with most of the characters in Dickens works. Still, the author shows us that for most of the children consigned to the parish workhouses, such a happy fate was not to be. Witness Oliver’s friend Dick, a symbol of the mistreatment of children so rampant in the system. His demise serves to counterpoint Oliver’s good fortune, so that the reader should not forget the author’s lesson.

Perhaps the most perplexing character of all is the villain Fagin. Initially, the reader may see him almost as a positive character. Though we certainly are under no mistaken impressions concerning his imperfect character, the author’s descriptions of the horrendous conditions Oliver endured in the state system are so enraging that when the boy is fed and sheltered by Fagin we begin to attribute a Robin Hood feel to him. He may rob from the rich, but he gives back to the poorest of all, something society at large has failed at miserably.

As the novel progresses, however, we begin to see that Fagin really has no concern for the children in his care, using them for his own ends and discarding them to the judicial system should they be apprehended. Indeed, the author goes out of his way to portray Fagin as a vile, disgusting creature. And this is a very disturbing aspect of the book, because Dickens continually refers to him as “The Jew”, and stereotypes him accordingly. Was the author anti-Semitic? Having read most of his works I find this hard to believe, but I also found the usage of the aforementioned term in connection with one of the author’s most disagreeable characters highly distasteful. This serves to bring an otherwise classic novel down a peg in my estimation.

Of course, Oliver Twist is a classic novel, and it is recommended reading for everyone. As Beethoven is to music, so Dickens is to the printed word, and those unfamiliar with his writings should make every effort to rectify that situation. Reading Oliver Twist is certainly a suggested step in that direction.