Comprehension questions from Oliver Wants Some More

Where are the children? What are they doing?

They are in the orphanage canteen, and they are eating their meal, that is just some gruel.

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

No, they suck their fingers not to waste the slightest splash of gruel.

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

The children decide that one of them will ask the master some more food. Oliver is the designated, and so he goes asking.

What are the reactions of master, beadle and board?

The master almost faints and aims a blow at Oliver’s head with the ladle, while Mr. Bumble goes to the board and tells Mr. Limbkins the fact. Mr. Limbinks answers saying that Oliver will be certainly hung.

Interpretation

What is your reaction to the story?

The story made me sad, because of the unjust treatment reserved to the boys, and I felt pity for Oliver.

Focus on the main features of Dickens’s style.

Find examples of contrasts: Diminutive stature, small in circumference / good sturdy spirit; fat, healthy man / turned very pale; solemn conclave / rushed into the room in great excitement

Find examples of hyperbole: “it had plenty of room to expand”; “the small rebel”

Find examples of repetition: “Please sir, I want some more”; “will be hung”

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

He definitely sympathizes with the boys.

What type of narrator Dickens use?

It is a 3^rd person omniscient narrator.

What characterizes this type of narrator?

It is an external narrator, who does not express directly any judgement, but, because of the use of the grotesque and of exaggerations, he is clearly on the side of the boys.

What is the author’s serious aim in telling the episode?

He wants to stress the poor living conditions of boys in the orphanage, accusing the directors who consider them only as burdens.