11 Questions
What is the primary way Dickens criticizes the Victorian view of the poor?
By describing Oliver as virtuous, good, and innocent
How does Dickens depict the character of Noah?
As embodying negative stereotypes
What does Dickens avoid when depicting the lower classes?
Describing many lower-class characters as good and hardworking
Whose traits does Noah seem to have inherited?
His father's
What is notable about Dickens's portrayal of Oliver?
He is virtuous and innocent
What was one of Dickens' motivations for writing Oliver Twist?
To expose the horrid conditions of the lower classes
Why do Oliver and Sowerberry travel to a squalid section of town?
To retrieve a dead pauper's body
What is notable about the shop fronts in the squalid neighborhood?
They are fast closed and moulding away
What does the bereaved husband's wife starve to death due to?
Economic realities of the society
What significant change occurs in Oliver's character after his attack on Noah?
He realizes his own strength and power
What does Oliver's fit of rare anger symbolize?
A breaking point realizing his own strength
Study Notes
Critique of Victorian Era
- Dickens criticizes the common Victorian notion that the poor are inherently immoral, criminal, and filthy through his portrayal of Oliver Twist, a virtuous, good, and innocent character.
Challenging Stereotypes
- Dickens does not simply portray the lower classes as uniformly good, honest, and hardworking; instead, characters like Noah exhibit the same negative stereotypes Dickens satirizes, adding complexity to the narrative.
Social Commentary
- Dickens' motivation for writing Oliver Twist was to expose the deplorable living conditions of the lower classes and the social ills that came with it.
- The novel highlights the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor, with the poor struggling to survive in squalid conditions.
Economic Realities
- The Industrial Revolution's economic expansion had left many behind, including those living in the impoverished neighborhoods depicted in the novel.
- The poverty and starvation faced by characters like the bereaved husband's wife are a result of the economic circumstances, not individual laziness.
Character Development
- Oliver Twist's attack on Noah marks a significant moment in his character development, revealing a capacity for anger and a growing sense of strength and power.
- Oliver's character is multidimensional, moving beyond his initial portrayal as sweet, docile, innocent, and naive.
This quiz explores how Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist challenges the Victorian era's characterization of the poor as immoral and filthy, highlighting Dickens' portrayal of the lower classes.
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