Oliver Twist

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1. 
   ms-mcgregor Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   Oliver Twist was named according to an alphabetical system used to name orphans but the name is actually a play on words. Oliver Twist is, in fact, "all of a twist". Although born in a poorhouse, he really has an aristocratic background that is revealed at the end of the novel. But despite all the hardships he faces, he remains very kind-hearted, an unusual "twist" on the hard luck stories of many children who came out of the poorhouse system.

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   Posted by ms-mcgregor on Sunday September 7, 2008 at 1:21 PM
   
   

2. 
   robertwilliam

   Oliver Twist is given his name by Mr Bumble, the prosaic beadle at the workhouse according to an alphabetical system. What it emphasises is the insignificance of Oliver within a long list of other insignificant (notably nameless in the novel!) workhouse boys.

   Don't forget too that the concept of a "Twist" might well be seen to represent the many twists and turns of the plot of Dickens' novel: one often cited as an example of Dickens' preference for a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter!

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   Posted by robertwilliam on Sunday September 7, 2008 at 5:29 PM
   
   

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