Oliver Twist is Charles Dickens's second novel, and was first published as a serial from 1837 to 1839. The story centres on orphan Oliver Twist, born in a workhouse and sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the "Artful Dodger", a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin. Oliver Twist is notable for its unromantic portrayal of criminals and their sordid lives, as well as for exposing the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid-19th century. In this early example of the social novel, Dickens satirises the hypocrisies of his time, including child labour, the recruitment of children as criminals, and the presence of street children.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was an English novelist and social critic, born in 1812. He is best known for his vivid characters, intricate plots, and powerful social commentary. Some of his most notable works include "Oliver Twist," "Great Expectations," and "A Christmas Carol." Dickens' writing style often combined humor with pathos, and his works often highlighted the struggles of the lower classes in Victorian England.
Dickens had a profound impact on the development of the novel as a literary form, helping to popularize serial publication and bringing attention to issues of poverty, injustice, and inequality. His most famous work, "A Tale of Two Cities," is a historical novel set during the French Revolution and is considered a classic of English literature. Dickens' legacy continues to resonate today, as his works remain popular and influential in the world of literature.