Episode 18

First published in the 1830s, Oliver Twist is one of the most important and influential novels in British history. It tells the story of Oliver, a young boy living in an orphanage who escapes his life of poverty and violence by running away to London to seek a better life. Unfortunately, in the big city, he finds himself pulled into a world of crime; he meets thieves, pickpockets and criminals. However, even in this dark, seedy world, Oliver remains gentle, honest, and innocent. That contrast is at the heart of the novel.

Oliver’s strength is moral rather than physical. He is small and unimposing. In terms of his personality, he is kind, sensitive, and refuses to become as cruel as the world around him. Dickens uses Oliver as a symbol of goodness, showing that poverty does not equal bad character. That was a radical idea at the time.

In London, Oliver meets The Artful Dodger, one of Charles Dickens’ most beloved characters. The Dodger is a teenage pickpocket: confident, charismatic, funny, and completely comfortable with a life of crime. He introduces Oliver to Fagin, the leader of a gang of pickpockets and thieves.

Fagin is one of the most controversial characters in English literature. He is an older man who trains homeless boys to steal for him. He is greedy and manipulative. Dickens repeatedly describes Fagin using negative and stereotypical language connected to his Jewish identity. This portrayal reflects antisemitic attitudes that were very common in 19th century Britain. Today, this is one of the most criticised aspects of Oliver Twist. Later in his life, Charles Dickens acknowledged this problem and expressed regret over how he wrote the character of Fagin.

The most tragic character in the book is Nancy. She is a young woman involved in crime and romantically linked to Bill Sikes; we will talk about him in a moment. Nancy is emotionally strong, but she is deeply conflicted in her life. She knows that the criminal world is cruel and evil, but she is trapped. Despite her own suffering, Nancy tries to protect Oliver, and she risks her life to help him.

Then we have Bill Sikes, one of the most frightening villains in British literature. Sikes is violent, angry, and combustible. He represents the brutal side of poverty and crime in Victorian Britain. It is a social comment by Charles Dickens on what happens when a society allows people to live with no support, no education, and no hope. Bill’s relationship with Nancy is abusive, and Dickens does not romanticise it in any way. So many modern novels and movies glamorise criminals. Charles Dickens does not do that in Oliver Twist. The reader is in no doubt that Bill Sikes is a vicious, ruthless man. He is not cool or charismatic; he is a terrifying presence.

Finally, Bullseye is Bill Sikes’s dog. This may not seem important, but Bullseye is a direct reflection of the ugly nature of his owner. Their names even sound similar. Like Bill, Bullseye is physically scarred, he is aggressive, and he is a source of fear. The dog’s presence increases tension during moments of confrontation, reinforcing the sense of danger that surrounds Bill Sikes. Most importantly, because Bullseye is constantly by Bill’s side, he is a physical symbol which reminds the reader that Bill Sikes has no sense of human decency and that he has the morals of an animal.

Many literary experts consider the city of London to be an abstract character in Oliver Twist. Dickens shows Victorian London as a city of extreme contrasts: wealth and poverty existing side by side. This urban setting was new and shocking for readers at the time. Before Dickens, novels often focused on high society, wealthy families and royalty. Oliver Twist forced readers to look at places they would have ignored before.

A major theme running throughout the story is social injustice. Dickens attacks the idea that poverty is a moral failure. Even from the opening chapter, the reader sees the battle between innocence and corruption. Oliver remains good in a bad world, while characters like The Artful Dodger show how easily children can be influenced by their environment. There is also a theme of identity. Oliver spends much of the novel not knowing who he is or where he belongs. That search for family, safety, and a home is central, and it is very human. We can relate to that.

Oliver Twist changed British literature. The ideas were new. Charles Dickens focused his story on the lives of poor people, rather than wealthy elites. It helped to create public awareness and debate about social reform in Victorian Britain. The characters are unforgettable and they are still referred to in modern British culture. Oliver Twist is still relevant in the 21st century because it asks a question that still feels important: What responsibility does society have to its most vulnerable people? Charles Dickens doesn’t give us any definitive answers, but he forces us to think about it.

Episode 18 vocabulary

Orphanage - A home for children who have lost their parents.

They decided to volunteer their time to help the children in the orphanage.

Seedy - Dirty, morally corrupt, sometimes dangerous.

The hotel is in a seedy area of the city. There is a lot of crime in that neighbourhood.

Unimposing - Not impressive in appearance or size.

I was surprised that the boxer seemed so unimposing when I met him.

Radical - Very new, different, or extreme compared with what is traditional or usual.

The government will annouce radical changes to the education system.

Controversial - Likely to cause public disagreement, debate, or argument because people have strongly different opinions about it.

Some politicians expressed controversial opinions on religious freedom.

Combustible - Likely to react suddenly and violently.

I avoided talking to him about problems because I knew how combustible he could be when he was in a bad mood.

Romanticise – To describe something as positive, while ignoring the unpleasant reality.

I felt that the movie romanticised war, rather than focusing on the sadness and fear.

Decency – The quality of being a good person who behaves in an socially acceptable manner.

The teacher explained to the students that they should treat each other with decency.

Urban – Related to a town or city.

The gallery is going to host an exhibition based on urban photography.

Wealthy – Rich; having a lot of money.

She married a wealthy businessman from Seoul. The ceremony was spectacular.

Vulnerable – Capable of being harmed, physically or socially.

The newspaper article explained why old people are so vulnerable to exploitation.