• Where are the children? What are they doing?

The children are in a room (a large stone hall with a copper at the end) in which they were fed in a workhouses. They are eating their poor ration of gruel.

• What do the children do after they have finished eating? Are they happy with their food?

After the children have finished eating they are still hungry because the ration is very spare. So they suck their finger to salvage every little portion of gruel.

• What do the children decide to do? What does Oliver do?

The children hold a meeting in which they decide that someone will go to the master to ask for more gruel after they will finish their little portion. This work happens to Oliver Twist.

• What are the reactions of master, beadle and board?

Master, beadle and board are all surprised and in a first moment they remain astonished. Then Mr. Limbkins and Mr. Bumble discuss about the situation and predict a tragic end for the little Oliver Twist.

INTERPRETATION

• What is your reaction to the story?

My reaction to the story is sad because the story tells about a real situation happened in the past but it is still present in contemporary time.

• Focus on the main features of Dickens' style.

Example of contrast: "hungry eyes", "a long grace was said over the short commons"
Example of hyperbole: "The spoons being nearly large as the bowls." "Thanks to the spare diet..."
Example of repetition: "The gruel was served out... The gruel disappeared." "...and ask for more...Please sir I want some more... I want some more."

• Who does the author sympathize with, the boys or the board?

I thin the author sympathizes with the boys.

• What type of narrator does Dickens use?

Dickens uses 3rd person omniscient narrator.

• What is the author's serious aim in telling this episode?

The author's serious aim in telling this episode is to criticize the situations of the poor children which were exploited or obliged to live in very bad conditions in the workhouses.