12 Questions
What is a characteristic of Fagin's face in Dickens's Oliver Twist?
It is villainous-looking and repulsive
Why does Fagin's wealth seem 'ill-gotten'?
Because he had others do the thieving for him
What did Dickens claim his portrayal of Fagin reflected?
The fact that a sizable number of London thieving ring leaders were Jewish
How does Dickens's narrator typically refer to Fagin?
As 'the Jew' or 'the old Jew'
What is implied by Dickens's portrayal of Fagin, despite his claims?
A certain degree of bigotry
What is Fagin's motivation for punishing Charley and the Dodger?
Because they are lazy and idle
What is a characteristic of the Victorian stereotype of Jews?
They are avaricious gold worshippers
What does Fagin's gold watch symbolize in the novel?
His wealth and avarice
What was the consequence for paupers who refused to enter the workhouses?
They were forced to turn to crime
What is the irony in the Victorian's criticism of the poor?
The work ethic they preached was responsible for creating laziness
What is the result of begging being a punishable offense?
The poor turn to crime in order to survive
What does Fagin's character represent in the context of the Protestant work ethic?
A harsh parody of the Protestant work ethic
Study Notes
Characterization of Fagin in Oliver Twist
- Dickens's portrayal of Fagin is problematic due to Jewish stereotypes
- Fagin is described as a "very old shrivelled Jew" with a "villainous-looking and repulsive face"
- Dickens perpetuates the Victorian stereotype of Jews as avaricious gold worshippers
- Fagin's eyes "glisten" when he takes out a "magnificent gold watch, sparkling with jewels"
Anti-Semitic Stereotype
- Fagin's wealth is ill-gotten, obtained through thievery by others, some of whom have been hanged
- Dickens's narrator refers to Fagin as "the Jew" or "the old Jew", implying he represents all Jews
Dickens's Response to Criticism
- A Jewish acquaintance criticized Dickens's portrayal of Fagin
- Dickens claimed that his portrayal reflected the fact that many leaders of London thieving rings at the time were Jewish
- However, it is difficult to accept that Dickens's portrayal of Fagin does not involve a certain degree of bigotry
Fagin's Representation of the Protestant Work Ethic
- Fagin's character is a harsh parody of the Protestant work ethic, which emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence.
- Oliver's anxiety to be employed stems from Fagin's "stern morality", which is demonstrated when Charley and the Dodger return home empty-handed.
- Fagin's morality is rooted in the idea that "idle and lazy habits" lead to misery, and he punishes those who don't adhere to this principle by denying them dinner.
Critique of the Victorian Work Ethic
- The Victorian era preached a strong work ethic, but this same ethic contributed to the perversion of values that Fagin represents.
- The harsh conditions of charitable institutions, such as workhouses, forced paupers to choose between a difficult life inside or outside these institutions.
- Begging was a punishable offense, leading those who stayed outside workhouses to resort to crime as a means of survival.
Analyzing Charles Dickens's portrayal of Fagin in Oliver Twist, focusing on the authors' use of Jewish stereotypes and the Victorian era's anti-Semitic attitudes. Understand the historical context of the novel and its representation of Jewish characters.
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