Page 3: Oliver Twist and Social Commentary

Published between 1837-1839, Oliver Twist represents Dickens' most pointed critique of Victorian social institutions and child labor. The novel explores three distinct social levels: the workhouse system, the criminal underworld, and the middle class.

Highlight: The Ten Hours Act of 1847 marked a crucial development in children's working conditions, limiting daily work to 10 hours.

Definition: Workhouses were institutions where the poor were sent to work in exchange for food and shelter, often under appalling conditions.

The novel's social hierarchy reveals:

1. The parochial world of the workhouse
2. The criminal underground of pickpockets and murderers
3. The respectable middle class with their moral values

Quote: "Poverty drives them to crime," highlighting Dickens' understanding of social determinism.

Page 1: Charles Dickens' Early Life and Career

Charles Dickens' formative years were marked by personal hardship that would later influence his literary works. Born in Portsmouth in 1812 to a middle-class family, his childhood took a dramatic turn when his father was imprisoned for debt. At just twelve years old, young Charles was forced to work in a blacking factory, where the harsh conditions left permanent impressions.

Highlight: Dickens' personal experiences with childhood labor directly influenced his portrayal of young characters in his novels.

Example: His time at the blacking factory, where he couldn't wash the factory smell from his hands, later appeared in his works through detailed descriptions of industrial working conditions.

The author's career progression took him from an office boy studying shorthand at night to a successful Parliamentary reporter. His literary journey began with the publication of "Sketches by Boz" and "The Pickwick Papers," eventually leading to his establishment as a prominent novelist.

Quote: "He was very generous to children and unlucky people," reflecting how his early experiences shaped his character and writing.