Characters and Social Commentary

Charles Dickens revolutionized the novel by shifting its social frontiers. He replaced the 18th-century upper-middle-class world with that of the lower orders, bringing attention to the plight of the poor and working class. Dickens' characters were often exaggerated in their habits and language, a technique he used to captivate readers and highlight social issues.

Vocabulary: Exaggeration - The act of representing something as larger, better, or worse than it really is, often for dramatic effect.

One of the most striking aspects of Dickens' novels is the prominence of child characters. In his works, children often assume the role of moral teachers, inverting the traditional adult-child dynamic. This approach allowed Dickens to critique society through the innocent eyes of youth, making his social commentary more poignant and accessible.

Highlight: Dickens' use of child protagonists, such as in Oliver Twist riassunto PDF, served as a powerful tool for social critique and moral instruction.

Dickens' didactic aim was particularly effective in bridging the gap between social classes. Through his novels, the more educated and wealthier classes gained insight into the lives of their poorer neighbors. However, Dickens was careful to balance his critique with a tone that wouldn't offend his middle-class readers. His goal was not to incite rebellion among the suffering, but to raise awareness of social problems among the ruling classes.

Definition: Didactic - Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

The author's style was characterized by his effective use of language and powerful descriptions of life and character. He employed careful word choice, repetition, and hyperbolic and ironic remarks to create vivid and memorable scenes and personalities.

Example: In Hard Times riassunto PDF, Dickens uses vivid descriptions of Coketown to illustrate the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.

"Oliver Twist": A Seminal Work

"Oliver Twist," one of Charles Dickens opere più importanti, first appeared in installments in 1837 before being published as a complete novel. This work is particularly significant as it fictionalizes the economic insecurity and humiliation Dickens experienced in his own childhood, lending it a powerful autobiographical element.

Highlight: The name 'Twist' given to the protagonist symbolizes the dramatic reversals of fortune he experiences throughout the novel.

The plot of "Oliver Twist" follows the eponymous character, a poor orphan born in a workhouse near London in the early 1800s. Oliver's journey takes him from the cruel conditions of the workhouse to the streets of London, where he falls in with a gang of young pickpockets led by the cunning Fagin.

Example: The famous scene where Oliver asks for more food in the workhouse has become iconic, symbolizing the inhumane treatment of the poor in Victorian England.

Throughout the novel, Oliver experiences both cruelty and kindness, ultimately finding a home with the benevolent Mr. Brownlow. The story concludes with the revelation of Oliver's noble origins and the arrest of Fagin's gang and Oliver's scheming half-brother.

Vocabulary: Workhouse - A public institution in which the destitute of a parish received board and lodging in return for work.

"Oliver Twist" is set in London, which Dickens depicts at three distinct social levels:

1. The parochial world of the workhouse, inhabited by those insensible to the feelings of the poor.
2. The criminal world of pickpockets and murderers, driven to crime by poverty.
3. The world of the Victorian middle class, populated by respectable people who believe in human dignity.

Definition: Parochial - Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.

Through this multi-layered portrayal of London society, Dickens offers a scathing critique of social injustices, particularly the treatment of the poor and the conditions in workhouses. The novel's vivid characters and compelling narrative have ensured its place as a classic of English literature, continuing to resonate with readers and inspire adaptations across various media.

Quote: "Dickens attacked the social evils of his times, such as poor houses. With the rise in th[e]..."