Essay, Research Paper
Oliver Twist: the Anchor of Character Development
Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist, centers itself around the life of the young, orphan Oliver, but he is not a deeply developed character. He stays the same throughout the entire novel. He has a desire to be protected, he wants to be in a safe and secure environment, and he shows unconditional love and acceptance to the people around him. These are the only character traits that the reader knows of Oliver. He is an archetype of goodness and innocence. His innocence draws many people close to him. Each character is attracted to his innocence for different reasons, some to destroy it and others to build it. Their relationships with Oliver reveal nothing more about his personality. They reveal more about their own personalities. Therefore, Oliver is used not as the protagonist of the story, but as the anchor for the development of the other characters.
As the anchor of character development, Oliver helps reveal the redeeming qualities of Dickens? Mr. Brownlow. Dickens moves through a series of developments with Mr. Brownlow and it is only when he comes into contact with Oliver that his character is fully developed. He is initially described by Dickens as an ?old gentlemen? with a ?very respectable-looking personage, with a powdered head and gold spectacles? (114). The reader is left to draw their own conclusions about him as he is only described one dimensionally. When Mr. Brownlow gives chase to Oliver after being robbed by Olivers? associates, it seems as though Mr. Brownlow might have little respect or mercy for the lower class. Instead, the reader finds that Mr. Brownlow is a kind and merciful man. He takes pity on Oliver, telling the policeman not to hurt him and arguing for his release inside the court house. Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver to his house where he is very well cared for by Mrs. Bedwin. When Oliver recovers from his fever, he goes to speak with Mr. Brownlow. During their meeting Mr. Brownlows character is further developed. He reveals a sad past to Oliver saying,
? I have been deceived, before, in objects whom I have endeavored to benefit…but I feel strongly disposed to trust you…..although the happiness and delight of my life lie buried, I have not made a coffin of my heart?(146).
This scene is important in Brownlows development because it describes his morals and human nature. He moves from a two dimensional character to a three dimensional character. His relationship and actions towards Oliver reveal his deepest emotions, which is what happens to all of the characters that come to understand Olivers innocent nature. Roses? motives for helping Oliver reveal a deeper side of her human nature that brings the reader in close contact with her personality. She is immediately drawn towards Oliver, even though he was a part of the robbery that occurred at her aunts? house the night before. When Miss Maylie is asked to inspect Oliver, ?the thief,? she declines the offer and instead treats him with compassion saying ?Poor fellow! Oh! treat him kindly, Giles, for my sake!?(263). Kindliness, charity, and compassion are immediately revealed as Roses? personality traits before she meets Oliver. These aspects are predictable character traits for Dickens to bestow on an upper class women. She is left as a one dimensional character, but her personality continues to develop as she becomes closer with Oliver. When she first encounters Oliver she knows that she must help him. She feels as though it is her duty to protect him, as she was almost in a similar situation herself, being without a Mother to care for her. She pleads to her Aunt
?as you love me, and know that I have never felt the want of parents in your goodness and affection, but that I might have done so, and might have been equally helpless and unprotected with this poor child, have pity upon him before it is too late?(269).
In this scene, she is developed even further because the reader now understands her motives for wanting to help Oliver. Her childhood could have been a lonely and desolate one, but she was helped, and now she needs to do the same for Oliver. She wants to make sure that Oliver is not lead into a life of crime. She wants to build his innocent nature by keeping him away from a poverty stricken life. Her relationship with Oliver enhances her character and the reader comes to know Rose better than we do Oliver. Her emotions concerning her situation as an orphan are more clear to us than Olivers. The reader becomes engaged in the mystery of who Roses parents are and why she is so ashamed, which is one of the great riddles involved in Oliver Twist. Dickens used Oliver as a median in which he could develop Roses character in order to involve the reader in her mystery.
The true nature of Nancy, the young prostitute and thief, is revealed to the reader in her actions towards Oliver. She is first introduced as a lower class women with a ?good deal of hair, not very neatly turned up behind, and rather untidy about the shoes and stockings?(111). When she is put up to the task of kidnapping Oliver back from Mr. Brownlow she appears to the reader as an evil villain. Later on, when she recognizes Olivers? innocent nature, she regrets her actions. She stands up for him when Fagin and Sikes attempt to beat him, telling them that ?the child shan?t be torn down by the dog, unless you kill me first?(164). This argument with Fagin and Sikes concerning Oliver develops her character and reveals her past. Screaming at the tops of her lungs she shouts
?I thieved for you when I was a child ……It is my living; and the cold, wet, dirty streets are my home; and you?re the wretch who drove me to them long ago?(167).
Her words express feelings of sadness and regret about her past. Oliver reminds her of her own situation when she was a child. It drives her to help Oliver escape from the filth and crime that she was pushed into as a child. Dickens develops Nancys character to show that people in poverty can not always help their situations. They might live a life of crime, but do they have any other choices? Nancys development as a character gives the reader an interesting perspective on the lower class and their situations.
Oliver Twist is a novel about the adventures and the life of Oliver yet, his character is not as developed as some of the others. He is not the protagonist, which leads one to ask, what purpose does he serve? Oliver has the most important role in the novel, he links everyone together. He is the anchor, not the hero. He develops the characters. The characters whom he becomes the closest with are the characters that the reader comes to know and love. He might be deemed a symbol rather than a character. A symbol of innocence. Innocence reveals so much about a person because it is so pure. Does the character want to destroy his innocence or does he want to make it grow? The way that each character interacts with Oliver tells the reader about their nature. This is Dickens method for character development.
368
Другие работы по теме:
Скороговорки на звуки t ,w,s,r,t,g,v,
Скороговорки на звуки [t∫,w,s,r,t,g,v,θ] Swan swam over the sea, Swim, swan, swim. Swan swam back again. Well swum, swan! Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards
Oliver Twist Essay Research Paper OLIVER TWISTBOOK
Oliver Twist Essay, Research Paper OLIVER TWIST BOOK SUMMARY Dickens, Charles. Oliver Twist. New York: Longman Edition, 1981, pp. 353 This book is a fiction novel set in the 19th century. I found the main theme of he book to be about the social problems at that time in England. The main character in the book is Oliver Twist.
The Jew In Dicken
’s “Oliver Twist” Essay, Research Paper Dickens and “The Jew” Was Charles Dickens being anti-Semitic when portraying the character Fagin as “the Jew”, in his classic story Oliver Twist, or was he merely painting an accurate portrait of the 19th Century Jew in England? Some critics seem to believe so. Though there are no indications of neither anti-Semitic nor racist slurs throughout the story, Dickens’ image turned out to follow the path of his time and place in history.
Oliver Twist Essay Research Paper As one
Oliver Twist Essay, Research Paper As one of the world s greatest writers, Charles Dickens has written some of the greatest classics such as: Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and Oliver Twist. In these works, Dickens often uses past experiences in his life, and develops a character that goes through the same kind of struggles.
Dickens As A Motivator Of Social Reform
Essay, Research Paper Charles Dickens wrote a masterpiece in Oliver Twist. He wrote a book that sold more than 4 million copies in the decade after his death in England alone. Oliver Twist continues to be one of the most famous books around. His novel is a delight to read because of his clever writing style, and important messages.
The Rising Of Good Characters In Charles
Dickens’s Oliver Twist. Essay, Research Paper Throughout Dickens’s novel, Oliver Twist, Dickens speaks about the rising or ascension of morally good characters. Oliver Twist is born an orphan who is raised by the parish as underfed, unloved and overworked. He leaves this life and goes to London where he gets kidnapped by a group of thieves while he is staying at a nice man’s house.
Death Of A Sales Man Essay Research
Paper Death of a Salesman Some nights you see a star in the sky or just have that feeling that what you wish will come true and all your wildest dreams will become reality. For Willy Loman that was everyday. He would always make his dreams seem like reality and thought that what he was saying was right and everybody around him was wrong.
Kive Essay Research Paper
# a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Grapes of Wrath, The – Book Summary and Analysis Grapes of Wrath, The – Book Analysis Grapes of Wrath, The – Joads’ Journey Great Expectations – Powerful Themes in the Novel
Irony Of Dickens In Oliver Twist Essay
, Research Paper The Irony of Dickens In Charles Dickens Oliver Twist, a boy named Oliver lives his strange life in Fagin s pickpocket street gang, and workhouses. Through his life he has people and groups of people who both help and deceive him. Charles Dickens uses a technique known as ironic reversal of values to make a profound effect in the way the novel is perceived.
Oliver Twist Summary Essay Research Paper During
Oliver Twist Summary Essay, Research Paper During the summer of 1999, I have chosen to read the book, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Reading this book will better prepare me for my upcoming course of global studies because it deals with many of the regions and time periods we will be studying in class. Although this book was a classic that I thought I had known so much about, reading it and paying attention to the setting and surroundings of the young boy s life, I noticed many historical events and customs from his time period.
Character Analysis Jane Eyre Essay Research Paper
Character Analysis – Jane Eyre For a variety of reasons, Jane Eyre is the most clearly intelligible character in the Gothic fiction by the same name. We view her development by her own assessment retrospectively. It is vital however to realize the vast differences between our protagonist and the narrator.
Oliver Cromwell Essay Research Paper LondonToday in
Oliver Cromwell Essay, Research Paper London- Today in 1654, Oliver Cromwell proclaimed himself as Lord Protector of England. This came after he dissolved the Parliament, because of their inability to make decisions, a few months earlier. What this means to English citizens is that they will now be ruled by a dictator with a puritan background and the loyalty of the army.
A Literary Review Of Oliver Twist Essay
, Research Paper The story of an orphan boy without the ?easy life? dares to take on the world in his many journeys, and countless adventures. He goes from the lowest part of London, to a part that he never knew existed. He makes many freinds and a few enemys. No one can turn down his sensitive, helpless looks and you end up caring about him whether you want to or not.
As U Like It Essay Research Paper
As You Like It The play As You Like It was written between the years of 1598 and 1599. Many knew this play as a romantic comedy. As You Like It is a play with two main plots: there is the conflict between Orlando and his older brother Oliver, and there is the usurpation of the throne by Duke Frederick from his brother Duke Senior.
Because Essay Research Paper Becuase this is
Because Essay, Research Paper Becuase this is not my job, I decided early on to limit my reviews to one book per author. You can imagine, then, how hard it was to decide WHICH book of Charles Dickens to review. I mean, to choose between A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, and Great Expectations was downright cruel.
Social Reform In Charles Dickens Hard Times
, Oliver Twist, And Great Expectations Essay, Research Paper Social Reform in Dickens In Oliver Twist and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, both main characters refuse to except the poor hand the world has dealt them. Pip and Oliver reach a great epiphany in regards to social injustice, and in turn rebel against the system that oppresses them.
Oliver Twist And The Dark Side Of
British History Essay, Research Paper Oliver Twist and the Dark Side of British History Progress can be compared to a coin. On one side of the coin is wealth, and on the other side of the same coin are poverty, despair, misery, and crime. As Gertrude Himmelfarb explains:
Charles Dickens Great Expectations Essay Research Paper
Great Expectations and Oliver Twist During his lifetime, Charles Dickens is known to have written several books. Although each book is different, they also share many similarities. Two of his books, Great Expectations and Oliver Twist, are representatives of the many kinds of differences and similarities found within his work.
Oliver Twist Essay Research Paper Guy 1Jamar
Oliver Twist Essay, Research Paper Guy 1 Jamar Guy Mrs. Brown Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition January 12, 2001 Oliver Twist: A Criticism of Society or a Biography
Oliver Twist 4 Essay Research Paper Oliver
Oliver Twist 4 Essay, Research Paper Oliver Twist, a poor, innocent orphan boy, stands out in this story as the main character but it is the supporting characters that allow this novel of much content to develop a much more satisfying and believable theme. With “Good V.S. Evil” as one of the major conflicts, in such categories are the secondary characters found as well.
Daddy By Danielle Steele And A River
Runs Through It By Norman Maclean Essay, Research Paper The two books Daddy by Danielle Steele and A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean are both stories where the main characters are male. The books deal with how a man reacts when he is presented with different situations. Oliver, the main character from Daddy, and Norman the main character from A River Runs Through It, are both presented with different situations that bring out their prevailing qualities.
Transformation Essay Research Paper TransformationMost people go
Transformation Essay, Research Paper Transformation Most people go through life with their eyes closed, so to speak, never stopping to see the beautiful world around them. However, the people that do stop and observe the beauty often do great things with the knowledge from their experience. Two people that have done just that are Gary Snyder and Mary Oliver.
Noah Claypole Essay Research Paper The Characterization
Noah Claypole Essay, Research Paper The Characterization of Noah Claypole The process of characterization is that which every author uses to make, build, or create a character. In Oliver Twist, the characterization of Noah Claypole, is carried out in three ways: the author has the character say things that tell the reader what sort of a person he is, do things that reveal his personality, and the author also has the storyteller describe Noah to expose things concerning his nature.
Scarlet Letter Character Development Essay Research Paper
Authors use character development to show how a person can change. Through a descriptive portrayal of a charter and their development they become real to the reader. A well-developed character stirs up emotions in the reader making for a powerful story. A person can change for better or worse and Nathaniel Hawthorne shows this thru the character development of Hester, Chillingworth, and Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter.
Oliver Twist Essay Research Paper Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist Essay, Research Paper Oliver Twist provides insight into the experience of the poor in 1830s England. Beneath the novel?s humor and dramatic plot runs an undertone of bitter criticism of the Victorian middle class’s attitudes toward the poor. Dickens’s Oliver Twist very vividly critisizes the legal system, workhouses, and middle class moral values and marriage practices of 1830s England.
Victorian Social Stratification Essay Research Paper In
Victorian Social Stratification Essay, Research Paper In England during the Victorian era, social divisions of class were a major part of people s daily lives. Victorian views on class and of that time s social division in general, are described in great detail by Charles Dickens in many of his novels published during the Victorian period.
Oliver Twist Essay Research Paper Nancy a
Oliver Twist Essay, Research Paper Nancy a beautiful portrayal of a mother life figure, stands up for a poor innocent boy. She takes care of Oliver, a poor orphan. Nancy also has a conflict
How Biff Suffer Essay Research Paper Biff
How Biff Suffer Essay, Research Paper ?Biff suffering from Willy?s illusions and delusions? Who is William Loman? William Loman is the main character in the play Death Of A Salesman by Arthur Miller. In the play Willy is play as an elderly salesman and lost in false hopes and illusions. As Willy grown older, he has trouble distinguishing between the past and present.
Oliver Twist Essay Research Paper OLIVER TWISTWith
Oliver Twist Essay, Research Paper OLIVER TWIST With all of the symbolism and moral issues represented in Oliver Twist, all seem to come from real events from the life of its author, Charles Dickens. The novels protagonist, Oliver, is a good person at heart surrounded by the filth of the London streets. Filth that Dickens himself was forced to deal with in his everyday life.
Oliver Twist 3 Essay Research Paper Oliver
Oliver Twist 3 Essay, Research Paper Oliver Twist When poverty and class was an issue in the Old World, injustice and society shunned all that was not good. Oliver Twist was a novel that hit all the aspects of that time. The story of Oliver Twist had many underlying to the plot. However, the themes that may be the most apparent within the story are underlined throughout it.
Horror Movies Essay Research Paper Natural Born
Horror Movies Essay, Research Paper ?Natural Born Killers,? ? Psycho,? ? Friday the 13th ,? and ?The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? are all horror films. In these films there is always some crazy person or monster-like character that goes around and slaughters innocent people. And usually, but not all the time the killer is killed at the end of the movie.
Black Vs White Essay Research Paper Black
Black Vs. White Essay, Research Paper Black vs. White How can a writer have a character make the reader feel warm inside when reading about them, or feel anger and disgust towards the character? A way is the use of light and dark imagery. Imagery is a very important aspect of writing used to portray a situation or character as more real or to display their personality.
How Charles Dickens
’ Life Influenced Oliver Twist Essay, Research Paper How Charles Dickens’ Life Influenced Oliver Twist “The range of his creative activity is, in the first place, limited to the world of his youth” (Cecil 169). This quote explains many people. What has previously happened to a person has a tremendous impact on them.
Antigone Is Tragic Hero Essay Research Paper
Antigone is the tragic hero in Sophocles Antigone. A tragic hero is defined as a character in a tragedy that has the following qualities: superiority, downfall, tragic flaw, twist of fate, in conflict, and a self-realization of their flaw. First, in the quote, Then I beg you: kill me. (II, 954) Clearly shows Antigone s superior character; she is brave and strongly believes in what she is doing.