Great Expectations & Oliver Tw

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Oliver was chosen by the

other boys at the orphanage to request more gruel at dinner one night.

After making this simple request, "the master (at the orphanage) aimed

a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arms; and

shrieked aloud for the beadle."3



The whole beginning of Oliver Twist's story was created from

memories which related to Charles Dickens' childhood in a blacking

factory ( which was overshadowed by the Marshalsea Prison ).4 While

working in the blacking factory, Dickens suffered tremendous

humiliation. This humiliation is greatly expressed through Oliver's

adventures at the orphanage before he is sent away.



Throughout his lifetime, Dickens appeared to have acquired a

fondness for "the bleak, the sordid, and the austere."5 Most of

Oliver Twist, for example, takes place in London's lowest slums.6 The

city is described as a maze which involves a "mystery of darkness,

anonymity, and ...

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the evil may have

been, Oliver stood by his beliefs. Therefore, he can be referred to as

"ideal and incorruptible innocence."12 "It is Oliver's self-generated

and self-sustained love, conferred it would seem from Heaven alone,

that preserves him from disaster and death."13



Unfortunately, many critics have found it hard to believe that a

boy such as Oliver Twist could remain so innocent, pure, and well

spoken given the long period of time in which he was surrounded by

evil and injustices.14



Pip, on the other hand, is a dreamer. His imagination is always

helping him to create situations to cover up for his hard times. For

example, ...

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