Oliver Twist and Life in 19th Century English Workhouses

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.