Learning Paths » 5A Interacting
The reader only knows about Oliver that he is 9 years old, he is a pale and thin child, small in stature and in circumference. In addition he has got a great spirit. What's more he has to work in a coal-cellar, because he dared to say that he was hungry.
>> What do you think "the establishment" is? I think it is an institution where poor people lived and worked.
Comprehension
>> Where are the children? What are they doing?
The children are in a workhouse's canteen and they are waiting for the meal.
>> What do the children do after they have finished eating? Are they happy with their food?
After having finished eating they polish their bowl with their spoons till it shone again, then they sit staring at the copper and they suck their fingers in order to catch any splashes of gruel, that remained on them. Sure they are not happy with their food, they are still hungry.
>> What do the children decide to do? What does Oliver do?
The children decide to cast lots who should have gone to the master and ask for some more gruel. The chosen was Oliver, who had to advance to the master.
>> What are the reaction of master, beadle and board?
The master was astonished, clung for support to the copper and shrieked aloud for the beadle, who took him to the board. He became very angry and he said the Oliver would be hung.
Interpretation
>> What is your reaction to the story?
By reading the text I become saddened and surprised: I cannot understand master's, assistants' and board's cruelty and loss of humanity.
>> Who does the author sympathize with, the boys or the board?
He sympathizes with the boys.
>> What type of narrator does Dickens use?
He uses 3rd person omniscient narrator.
>> What characterizes this type of narrator?
This type of narrator doesn't allow any freedom of readers' interpretation because he filters everything. Therefore every reader has got the same point of view.
>> What is the author's serious aim in telling this episode?
The author's aim is to protest against children exploitation and to make understand adults' dehumanization .