Oliver Twist and Life in 19th Century English Workhouses

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary reason for Oliver Twist's entry into a workhouse?

He was sent there by his mother before she died.

He was an orphan and had no other place to go. (correct)

He was arrested for stealing and sent to a workhouse as punishment.

He was very poor and had no other means of survival.

What skill did Oliver learn from the person he met in London?

How to read and write.

How to work as a carpenter.

How to play a musical instrument.

How to pick locks and steal. (correct)

Who helped Oliver when he was in trouble with the police?

A kind police officer, who let him go with a warning.

A stranger, who gave him some money to escape.

Mr. Brownlow, who took him in and helped him to clear his name. (correct)

Fagin, who took him in and taught him to steal.

What did Mr. Brownlow discover about Oliver's past?

That Oliver was an orphan and had been sent to a workhouse after his mother's death. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Monks at the end of the story?

He was arrested and sent to prison for his crimes. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Monks watch Oliver and make sure he met Jack Dawkins and Fagin?

So Oliver would never be honest and Monks could keep the money Signup and view all the answers

What did Oliver do when he was told to help Mr. Sikes with a job in the country?

He climbed through a small window of a house Signup and view all the answers

Who took care of Oliver when he was sick?

The housekeeper at Mr. Brownlow's house Signup and view all the answers

Why did Mr. Brownlow take Oliver back to his house?

Because he felt sorry for Oliver Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Oliver when he climbed through the small window?

He was shot Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Oliver at the end of the story?

He was adopted by Mr. Brownlow Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the workhouses in England during the 1800s?

To provide a place for people to live, work, and eat to make ends meet Signup and view all the answers

How did the boys at the workhouse react to Oliver's request for more food?

They encouraged him to beg for more food Signup and view all the answers

What was Fagin's role in the story?

A master thief who trained boys to steal Signup and view all the answers

Why did Oliver decide to leave the workhouse?

Because he was hungry and wanted more food Signup and view all the answers

What was Oliver's initial reaction to seeing the boys steal from people's pockets?

He was shocked and didn't understand what they were doing Signup and view all the answers

Where did Oliver go after leaving the workhouse?

To London to find a new home Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Life in English Workhouses

During the 1800s, many people in England went to workhouses when they had no other means of supporting themselves.
Living conditions in workhouses were harsh and unsanitary, with overcrowding, poor food, and inadequate clothing.

Oliver Twist's Story

After his mother died, Oliver Twist was sent to a workhouse because he had no family or means of support.
At the workhouse, Oliver had to work long hours and was given meager food, leading to malnutrition and weakness.
Oliver escaped from the workhouse and traveled to London, where he met a pickpocket named Jack Dawkins, also known as the Artful Dodger.
Jack Dawkins introduced Oliver to Fagin, a crafty old thief who taught Oliver and other boys to steal.

Oliver's Encounter with the Police

Oliver was caught by the police while trying to pick a pocket and was arrested.
A kind-hearted man named Mr. Brownlow saved Oliver from being punished and took him in, providing him with food and shelter.

Oliver's True Identity

Mr. Brownlow discovered that Oliver was innocent and had been wrongly accused of theft.
Monks, a villainous character, tried to keep Oliver from receiving his inheritance, but ultimately failed.
In the end, Monks was punished for his crimes, and Oliver was adopted by Mr. Brownlow, who provided him with a loving home.

Oliver Twist's Early Life

In the 1800s, many people moved to cities in England to work, including Oliver's mother, who gave birth to him in a workhouse.
After his mother's death, Oliver was sent to an orphan house until he was nine years old.

Workhouse Experience

At the age of nine, Oliver was sent to a workhouse where he met other malnourished boys.
The boys encouraged Oliver to ask for more food, which angered the workhouse managers.
Oliver decided to escape to London, but had no food and went hungry for days.

Meeting Fagin and Jack Dawkins

Oliver met Jack Dawkins, who introduced him to Fagin, an old man who gave Oliver food and shelter.
Fagin taught Oliver to pick pockets, and Oliver was shocked to discover the boys were thieves.

Encounter with Mr. Brownlow

Oliver was caught by a police officer, but Mr. Brownlow, a kind man, intervened and took Oliver to his home.
Oliver was looked after by the housekeeper and recovered from his ordeal.

Meeting Monks and the Inheritance

Oliver was forced to help Mr. Sikes with a burglary, but was shot and rescued by Mr. Brownlow.
Mr. Brownlow revealed that Oliver's mother was a rich woman, and his brother, Monks, was trying to keep Oliver's inheritance by ensuring he became a thief.
Monks gave Oliver the money owed to him and left the country, and Oliver was adopted by Mr. Brownlow.

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Description

Explore the harsh living conditions in English workhouses during the 1800s, as depicted in Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist.