Execises from pages 12 and 13

Oliver Twist

Extract from Chapter 2

1) Read the text and briefly summarise what happens

Oliver Twist in the workhouse where he lived, suffered the hunger together with his companion. One day all the hungry boys decided to cast lots the one who, the day after, should ask the master more gruel: it fell to Oliver Twist.

In the evening, after supper, Oliver went to the master who, listening to the boy's request, sent him to the beadle. The board affirmed that Oliver Twist, because of his request, will be hung.

2) Dickens' realistic view of this scene

1.    Which aspects of the scene strike you as being taken from real life?

The description of hungry boys, especially the horror story invented by one of them to scare his companion and the reactions of people in front of Oliver's request to have some more gruel seem taken from reality.

2.    Which group of characters do you think the writer sides with?

I think the writer sides with only with Oliver Twist because he focuses on his courage: "child as he was, he was desperate with hunger", "somewhat alarmed at his own temerity". Dickens describes the critical condition of all children in the workhouse making the reader understand the enormous act of temerity and desperation of Oliver.

3.    What do you think the main target of the writer's criticism is?

I think the main target of the writer's criticism is aristocracy and rich people who don't know the meaning of starvation.

4.    Can the reader form a different opinion from the narrator's?

In my opinion is difficult for the reader to form a different position from the narrator, because the narrator describes children as hungry, desperate, pauper and also courageous, while the master and the board are unmovable, don't understand Oliver desperation and haven't pity for him.

•3    3) Focus on language and style

1.    Consider the general condition/feelings before Oliver's request. What details have a humorous effect in spite of the tragic condition of the children?

The physical description of the master who, even if was a fat and healthy man, turned pale, has a humorous effect in spite of the understandable request of children.

2.    Mark the various characters' reactions after Oliver's request. Which of the devices listed above have been used to describe these reactions?

Dickens ridicules the master's and assistants' reactions by the insistence on the same concept: " he turned very pale", "he gazed in stupefied astonishment", "then clung for support to the copper", "the assistants were paralysed with wonder".

Also when Mr Bumble entered the board's room, there is the repetition by some people, of Oliver's request: "Oliver Twist has asked for more!" "for more!" "Do I understand that he asked for more.." "he did".