Learning Path » 5A Interacting
Oliver Twist
Read the text and briefly summarise what happens.
Oliver Twist and his companions were hungry and a boy said to ask more food, because he should have eat another boy. So Oliver Twist was extracted to ask for more. The child was disperated and after dinner he asked for more to the master. The master turned pale and he gazed him perplexed and the assistant too. In addition the master stopped him and the beadle called Mr Limbkins and he said that Oliver had to hang.
Now focus on Dickens’ realistic view of this scene.
Which aspects of the scene strike you as being taken from real life?
The poverty of the children and a group of bad men are aspects of the contemporary reality.
Which group of characters do you think the writer sides with? Give reasons for your choice.
I think the writer sides with Oliver Twist, because he underlines that he asked for more, therefore the writer wants to underline the poverty of the child. And because people’s reactions are exaggerated.
What do you think the main target of the writer’s criticism it?
I think the main target of the writer’s criticism is severity of a group of people towards an individual, in this case a child, Oliver Twist.
Can the reader form a different opinion fm the narrator’s? Explain why or why not-
The reader can not form a different opinion, because the situation creates a sense of pathos towards the child thanks to the writer’s criticism and the contraposition between the child and the adults.
Focus on language and style.
Consider the general condition/feelings before Oliver’s request. What detail/s has/have a humorous effect in spite of the tragic condition of the children?
When the writer says that a boy should have eat another one, if he had eat more is a humorous effect.
Mark the various characters’ reactions after Oliver’s request. Which of the devices lived above have been used to describe these reactions?
He ridicules what he intends to criticise by repeating word “for more” and he uses hyperbole through he exaggerates details. As a mater of fact he underlines characters amazement and paralysis using different words “stupefied astonishment – wonder –pale – paralysed – pinioned”.
Find some more explains from the text for the other features listed above.
The writer juxtaposes or mixes sad and comic details. As a matter of fact the writer juxtaposes the fat man to the thin child and the exclamation mark juxtaposes to a faint voice.
Nicholas Nickleby
Read the text and list the main events f the morning.
There is a boy, Nicholas, who is hungry. There are other boys, who do not move
theirselves, so the child treaded upon the other boys’ toes. The teacher, Mr. Squeers,
is in front of the first class and he questions them about works they had done.
The first boy had to clean the window, the second to pull out unwanted plants and the
other had to get water from the well. At the end they had heard stories and ate. After that
they had start again the school.
Focus on the characters.
In what are the pupils different from those of an ordinary school? What evidence of their ill-treatment is given I the text?
The pupils are different from another school, because they learn, but at the same time they worked, therefore they are exploited of child labour.
How does Mr Squeers define his teaching method’? What is actual aim? Why do you think he gives an exploitation to Nicholas? What do his words reveal about him and his qualifications as a teacher?
Mr Squeers defined his method of teaching a practical mode of teaching. His aim is the regular education system: the children learn and work at the same time. I think he gives an exploitation to Nicholas, because he is dependant on Mr Squeers, as a matter of fact, he had to do what he said. His words reveal he is strict and respected by the children and Nicholas.
Do Mr Squeers’ wife, son and school reflect his personality?
Yes, they do.
Does Nicholas’ opinion about what is going on come out at all?
Yes, he does. He shrugged his shoulders, therefore he is indifferent.
Focus on characterisation and narrative technique.
Give examples of negative aspects and comic details in Mr Squeers’ description and behaviour.
Mr Squeers’ negative aspect is his method of teaching, while comic details are his looks that are profound, cunning and doubtful.
Would you say Squeers is a well-rounded character or a flat character?
I would say Squeers is a flat character, because he seems lacking in feelings and emotions.
What kind of narrator tells the story? Which character/s do you think he sides with? Give reasons for your answer.
There is a third person omniscient narrator. He sides with Nicholas and the children, because they are submitted to Mr. Squeers and he criticises him and his method of teaching.