Oliver Twist

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   lit24 Teacher
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   The most significant event in Dickens's "Oliver Twist," which in fact has passed into folklore, occurs in Ch.2.

   Oliver Twist is in the workhouse and he and his companions are being virtually starved to death - they are only fed a small bowl of gruel daily. One day the boys draw lots as to who should ask the master for an extra serving of the gruel, and the lot falls to Oliver Twist. That evening, after they had all had their gruel, Oliver Twist summoning up all his courage walks up to the master and says,"Please, Sir, I want some more." The shocked and surprised master "aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle." The board members meet and one of them cruelly remarks, "I know that boy will be hung." After this horrifying incident Oliver Twist is sold off to Mr. Sowerberry the undertaker for five pounds sterling.

   This incident of child abuse and human trafficking portrays the pitiable conditions of the poor orpaned children of Dickens' time.

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   Posted by lit24 on Sunday September 28, 2008 at 5:58 AM
   
   

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