16 Questions
What is implied about Mr. Bumble's proposal to Mrs. Corney?
He is interested in her material wealth
What is the implied criticism of the Victorian era's middle-class marriages?
They were often economic arrangements
What is Mr. Bumble's attitude towards Mrs. Corney's possessions?
He is appraising their value
What is the author's view on marriage, as depicted in the novel?
Marriage should be based on love
What is the effect of Monks's conversation with Fagin?
It increases our curiosity about Monks's intentions
What is implied about Monks's character?
He is a mysterious and possibly sinister figure
What is the atmosphere created by Dickens's description of Monks?
One of darkness and suspense
What is suggested by Monks's claim about the 'shadow of a woman'?
That he is a sinister figure with mysterious knowledge
What is the main concern of Dickens in presenting two kinds of theft?
To highlight the hypocrisy of the middle class
What is Mrs. Corney's lifestyle based on?
Theft from the paupers under her care
Why does Dickens describe Mrs. Corney's apartment?
To highlight the contrast between her lifestyle and the paupers'
What is implied about the middle class in the novel?
They control conceptions of what is right and wrong
What is the irony in the dialogue between Mrs. Corney and Mr. Bumble?
They both show hypocrisy in their words and actions
What is the effect of the middle class's control over conceptions of right and wrong?
They ignore their own subtle thievery
What is the attitude of the middle class towards the lower class?
They believe the poor are inherently morally wretched
What is the purpose of Mr. Bumble's remark about drowning a cat?
To criticize Mrs. Corney's treatment of the paupers
Study Notes
Social Commentary in Oliver Twist
- Dickens highlights the hypocrisy of the middle class by contrasting two forms of theft: overt theft by characters like Sikes and Crackit, and subtle theft by characters like Mrs. Corney, who exploit the poor for personal gain.
Social Inequality in the Workhouse
- Mrs. Corney, the matron of the workhouse, enjoys luxurious living conditions while the paupers are cramped and cold, highlighting the vast social inequality in the institution.
- The workhouse paupers are treated worse than animals, deprived of basic human rights, while Mrs. Corney's cat and kittens enjoy better living conditions.
Middle-Class Hypocrisy
- Mrs. Corney and Mr. Bumble, representatives of the middle class, are guilty of hypocrisy, condemning obvious theft while ignoring their own exploitative behavior towards the poor.
- The middle class controls the narrative of right and wrong, allowing them to rationalize their own thievery and condemn that of the lower classes.
Satire of Middle-Class Values
- Dickens satirizes the materialistic nature of middle-class marriage, as exemplified by Mr. Bumble's proposal to Mrs. Corney, which is motivated by her wealth rather than love.
Introduction of Mystery and Suspense
- The introduction of Monks, a mysterious figure, marks the beginning of a detective-like storyline, as the reader is left wondering about his identity and motives.
- The novel takes a darker, more suspenseful tone with the description of Monks as a "dark figure" lurking in the shadows.
Explore Charles Dickens' critique of social inequality in Oliver Twist, highlighting the hypocrisy of the middle class and the exploitation of the poor.
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