The Story of Oliver Twist*
Oliver Twist is a novel by Charles Dickens that tells the story of a young orphan named Oliver who is born in a workhouse and faces numerous challenges throughout his life, including poverty, abuse, and discrimination. The novel explores themes of social injustice, morality, and redemption, and is considered one of Dickens' most important works.
By Charles Dickens · First published 1837 · Genre: Social criticism, Bildungsroman, Realism · 4 chapters · 11,994 words
First lines
Some years ago when the poorhouses of England were in a bad state and the poor people housed within them were often ill-treated, a little waif began his life under the roof of one of the worst of them. His mother had wandered there, weak, wretched and without friends, it seemed, for she gave no clue to her identity; and after her little boy was born she had only strength enough to kiss him once before she breathed her last. As no one knew anything about her, the child became a charge upon the parish. He was sent with other orphans and homeless little ones to be cared for by an elderly woman named Mrs. Mann, who received from the parish officers but a scant allowance for the needs of the children, to whom she gave, in the shape of food and attention, a still shorter return.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of Oliver Twist* is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles Dickens, dated 1837 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Charles Dickens
- Date: 1837 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Social criticism, Bildungsroman, Realism, Crime fiction, Adventure
- Length: 11,994 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 256 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of Oliver Twist* by Charles Dickens
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Story of Oliver Twist*?
- How does this novel by Charles Dickens fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Social criticism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Tales From Dickens Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
- A Brave And Honest Boy Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
- Tales From Dickens Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
- Little Nell by Charles Dickens
- Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
- The Story Of Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
Genres
- Social criticism — Dickens provides a social critique, exposing the cruel treatment of orphans in 19th century England particularly in the workhouses and criminal underworld of London.
- Bildungsroman — Oliver Twist is also a Bildungsroman since it follows the growth and development of the protagonist, Oliver, from an innocent child to a mature individual.
- Realism — The novel is grounded in the gritty realities of the life of the lower classes in 19th century England which Dickens showcases in intricate detail.
- Crime fiction — The novel deals with elements of crime, primarily through the characters of Fagin, Bill Sikes, and the Artful Dodger.
Tags
orphan · poverty · Victorian · London · crime · social injustice · child labor · adventure · friendship · survival · class struggle · abandonment
Contents
- OLIVER BEGINS LIFE IN A HARD WAY
- OLIVER FALLS FROM BAD TO WORSE
- OLIVER MAKES HIS WAY INTO GOOD SOCIETY
- THE END OF EVIL DAYS