Oliver twist

Oliver Twist (1837)By Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870)

Materials: DVD of Oliver Twist with subtitlesSummary of the book:One of Dickens’ most popular stories is Oliver Twist, an early work published 1837-8. Like many of his novels, its central theme is the hardship faced by the poor dispossessed and those of the outside of ‘polite’ society. Oliver himself is born in a workhouse and treated cruelly as was the norm at the time for pauper children. Bumble, a parish council official or ‘beadle’, was particularly cruel. The story follows Oliver as he escapes the workhouse and runs away to London. Here he receives an education in crime from the Fagin’s gang that includes the brutal thief Bill Sikes, the famous ‘Artful Dodger’ and Nancy, Bill’s whore. Oliver is rescued by the intervention of a benefactor - Mr Brownlow - but the mysterious Monks gets the gang to kidnap the boy again. Nancy intervenes but is murdered viciously by Sikes after she has showed some redeeming qualities and has discovered Monk’s sinister intention. The story closes happily: with justice for Bumble and the cruel Monks who has hidden the truth of Oliver’s parentage out of malice. Accusations were made that the book glamorised crime (like the ‘Newgate Group’ of the period) but Dickens wisely disassociated himself from criminal romances. His greatest achievement was in presenting the underworld and problems of poverty to the rich upper classes in a way rarely attempted previously.

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About the author:

Dickens was 19th century London personified, he survived its mean streets as a child and, largely self-educated, possessed the genius to become the greatest writer of his age

Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, the son of a clerk at the Navy Pay Office. His father, John Dickens, continually living beyond his means, was imprisoned for debt in 1824. 12-year-old Charles was removed from school and sent to work at a boot-blacking factory, earning six shillings a week to help support the family. This dark experience cast a shadow over the clever, sensitive boy that became a defining experience in his life. He would later write that he wondered "how I could have been so easily cast away at such an age". This childhood poverty and feelings of abandonment, although unknown to his readers until after his death, would be a great influence on Dickens' later views on social reform and the world he would create through his fiction.

Dickens wrote 15 major novels and countless short stories and articles before his death on June 9, 1870. He wished to be buried quietly in a small cemetery in Rochester, but the Nation would not allow it. He was laid to rest in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. Flowers from thousands of mourners overflowed the open grave.

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See www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakhouse/animation.shtml for an animated film about Dickens’ life. Recommended!

Important Vocabulary:

A pickpocketA workhouseAn orphanPoorRichTo murderTo stealTo kidnap

Teaching Notes

The SettingEngland in the 1830s. There are several locations: the small seaside village where Oliver is born, a small town next to London where Dodger finds Oliver, London at Fagin's place and Brownlows, and finally in the country will Rose. The atmosphere of the story is incredibly dark, violent, frightening and sad. There are thieves, prostitutes, pickpockets, burglars and overall wicked people.

Central Characters *Agnes Flemming- Oliver's mother

*Edwin Leeford- Oliver's father

*Edward Leeford, a.k.a. Monks- son of Edwin and Elizabeth Leeford; Oliver's half brother, tries to rob him of his fortune

*Oliver Twist- the title character, an orphan raised in a workhouse by Mrs. Corney and in a home with Mrs. Mann

*Mr. Bumble- the parochial beadle, names Oliver alphabetically

*Sowerberry- the coffin maker/undertaker with whom Oliver stays for a short time after leaving the workhouse because he asked for more food

*Noah Claypole- worked for Sowerberry; follows Nancy and is responsible for her death

*Jack Dawkins, known as the Artful Dodger- one of Fagin's boys. A pickpocket, he finds Oliver and takes him to Fagin, he is transported for taking a snuff box

*Fagin- head of a group of pickpockets, he teaches young boys to steal. He buys stolen goods from Bill Sikes. He is hanged for his part in Nancy's death

*Bill Sikes- he has a dog named Bullseye. He is a thief. Nancy is his girlfriend. When he learns that Nancy went to see Brownlow he murders her in a fit of rage.

*Nancy - a prostitute, she is Sikes' girlfriend. She likes Oliver, Sikes forces here to kidnap Oliver from Brownlow, she tries to rescue him by telling Brownlow. She is followed by Noah Claypole and when he tells Sikes he murders her

*Brownlow- a kind gentleman. Oliver is accused of robbing him at the bookshop. When Oliver is released he sees that the boy is sick and takes him home, saying "I will never dessert you"; he is instrumental in finding Oliver's true identity and apprehending Monks. He adopts Oliver

*Mr. Grimwig- a lawyer, he'll "eat his head" if Oliver is not a thief, he's Mr. Brownlow's friend

*Toby Crackit- part of Fagin's gang, lives on Jacob's Island, helps Sikes break into the Maylie's house

The story’s structure:A biography of Oliver’s life, involving a mystery surrounding his birth , an exciting climax ending in murder but with a happy ending. It is Oliver's quest to learn who he is and the quest of others (i.e. Leeford) to keep him from finding out that he was supposed to inherit money.

Themes• The triumph of good over evil (Oliver represents “good”)• Poverty, child abuse, social norms and the need for reform.• Family and social class: Family is important in Oliver Twist because Oliver

doesn't have any at first, and some members of his family are out to destroy him. Oliver is mistreated by many people who are not his family- like Bumble and Sowerberry - or only pretend to be - Fagin and Dodger. Rose being his long-lost aunt treats him well even before their relation is known, and Monks treats him the way he does (i.e. paying Fagin to make him a crook) because he is family and he wants to get an inheritance.

Class is important to the plot because the book was intended to be an expose of the squalid conditions of the poor, both in workhouses and slums. Brownlow treats Oliver well in spite of his class (so too do the Maylies) while Grimwig doubts him and Fagin uses him because of it.

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Things to discussDo places still exist today where children are treated in the same way as Oliver Twist?Why do some children today have to work in certain parts of the world?What is the British ”class system”? What are the differences between working class, middle class and upper class? What do you think about the class system and why? Do such class differences exist in Norway?

Activities

1. Make a poster presentation of the life and times of Charles Dickens.

2. Write about Oliver’s first meeting with Fagin from Oliver’s perspective.Use this title: The day I met Fagin.Here are some words to help you:

scruffy, rags, handkerchiefs, sly, devious, dishonest, helpful, foggy, cobbled streets, dilapidated slums, frightening, clever

Oliver, Fagin and The Artful Dodger

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3. Read the text about Betty Steel.

a) Is there a connection between Betty Steel and Charles Dickens? What is it? (See appendix).

b) Betty was sentenced to “transportation”. A character in Oliver Twist suffers the same punishment. Who was he and what had he done?

4. Collect pictures of the characters in Oliver Twist from the internet. Make a poster using the pictures. Write the names of the characters and some details about them for example their job, their personality etc. Divide the characters into two groups: the good and the evil.

5. Find out about the conditions for poor children in Victorian England. Find out about the work of Dr Barnado, The Poor Laws and the social reforms by Lord Shaftesbury. Give a presentation to the class.

6. You are going to make wanted posters for Fagin and The Artful Dodger. First, you need to gather information from the film and book of Oliver Twist:

• personal details (name, nicknames, age, address etc.)• what they look like (colour of hair, eyes, clothes, build etc.)• what crimes they have committed

Here is an example of a wanted poster for Bill Sikes:

WANTEDFor the brutal MURDEROf Nancy Brown in Clerkenwell, London

WILLIAM SIKESAge: 39 Height: 6 feet

www.bbs.org

By order of Charles Dickens, Chief Magistrate , City of London

Adapted from Teachit.co.uk

7. Write the front page newspaper report based on the murder of Nancy by Bill Sikes.You must read chapter 47 (Appendix 2). Find out the following information:

• What happened?• When?• Where?• Who was involved?

All the most important details must be in the first few sentences of your report.

Sikes is said to have a dirty complexion and is often unshaven. He has black hair and brown eyes. He usually wears an old top hat, blue coat and boots. He carries a large club and has a Staffordshire pitbull answering to the name of Bullseye.The public are warned that Sikes is very dangerous.He is also wanted in connection with burglaries and kidnapping.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? THERE IS A REWARD OF 50 GUINEAS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO HIS CAPTURE.

Draw a suitable picture too.

Here is an example of a newspaper report covering the death of Sikes:

London GazetteThursday 4th March 1864 Price: one penny

MURDERER DIES AFTER POLICE MANHUNT

A man wanted for the murder of an East End prostitute was killed as he tried to escape from police yesterday.

The police shot Mr William Sikes as he tried to escape capture. The police had been looking for him in connection with the death of Nancy Brown. Sikes had kidnapped a 12 year-old orphan, Oliver Twist, in the hope of avoiding arrest. However, Constable Francis Crackshot wounded Sikes and the boy was rescued. Sikes had been hiding for almost 3 days since the body of Nancy Brown was found in Whitchapel on Monday. Sikes had been seen running from the crime scene by an eye-witness. Sikes was a known thief and feared for his vicious temper. He is

believed to have killed Miss Brown after he had learned of her reporting his crimes to certain persons. Sikes and Miss Brown were involved in forcing young children to commit crimes. Tragically, Miss Brown’s efforts to save children like Oliver Twist cost her her life. The police have also arrested another man who is believed to have been helping Sikes, Joshua Ezekiel Fagin, 55. He is to appear at Bow Street court tomorrow on charges of receiving stolen goods and kidnapping.

7. Write a list from 1 to 22 and then put these sentences in the right order:

The story of Oliver Twist

a) Mr Brownlow takes Oliver home after the court hearing.b) Oliver meets the Artful Dodger.c) Oliver is arrested for pickpocketing.d) Oliver Twist is born in the workhouse.e) The bookseller’s evidence saves Oliver from prison.f) The police kill Sikes.g) Nancy arranges to meet Mr Brownlow.h) Oliver is “sold” to Mr Sowerberry.i) Oliver asks for more food.j) Bullseye leads the police to Sikes.k) Oliver runs away to London.l) Sikes murders Nancy.m) Oliver has a fight with Noah Claypole.n) Oliver joins Fagin’s “workshop”.o) Nancy and Sikes kidnap Oliver.p) Old Sally steals the necklace from Oliver’s mother.q) Grimwig predicts Oliver will run off with Brownlow’s money.r) Monks buys the locket for £25 from the Bumbles.s) Oliver’s mother dies.t) The police arrest Fagin.u) Sikes and Toby Crackit take Oliver on a burglary “job”.v) Nancy is seen on London Bridge.

A quiz

1. Where was Charles Dickens born?a) London b) Portsmouth

c) Chatham, Kent2. What is the name of Bill Sikes’ dog?

a) Bullseyeb) Gnasherc) Wobblebottom

3. Who is Oliver Twist’s half brother?a) Noah Claypoleb) Monksc) Arthur Twist

4. Before becoming a famous author, Dickens worked as what?a) Journalistb) Judgec) Parish beadle

5. Who does Oliver work for when he leaves the workhouse?a) Mr Grimwigb) Mr Undertakerc) Mr Sowerberry

6. When was Dickens born?a) 1838b) 1908c) 1812

7. What is the real name of the Artful Dodger?a) John Dawkinsb) Jackson Arthurc) Charles Dodgson

8. What was Charles Dicken’s middle name?a) Augustineb) Ludwigc) Huffam

9. Who asked for more food?a) The Artful Dodgerb) Nancyc) Oliver Twist

10. What is a pickpocket?a) A pocket to put money inb) Someone who steals from people’s pocketsc) A thief who steals from people’s houses

From book and film to play

Oliver asks for moreRead an excerpt from Chapter 2 of the novel. See Appendix 3.Work in small groups and turn the text into a play script to be performed in Norwegian Sign Language. Here is a list of characters:

A narrator, the master cook, Oliver, the cook’s assistant, another boy

Write the script:• The play opens with the narrator describing the setting.• The names of the characters are written on the left of the page• The words they say are written next tot the names. There are no speech marks

(“…”)• Descriptions of how the characters move and behave are written in brackets: (..)

These are called stage directions.• Try to make the characters use words and actions that match their personalities

Appendix 1Betty Steel

Betty Steel is the first, European, Deaf person we know about who was sent from England to Australia in 1770.

Betty was born in the slums of London. We believe that she was arrested for stealing bread. She was taken to the terrible prisons in *Clerkenwell and Newgate in London. Prisoners were cruelly treated and beatings were common. About 10,000 people were imprisoned at Clerkenwell each year.

At her trial, Betty was sentenced to “Transportation.” This meant that she was sent to Australia to serve her prison sentence. Each year, many thousands were transported to Australia.

Betty travelled by boat together with hundreds of other prisoners to Sydney. Life in the prison colony was very hard.

Betty never returned to England. Her grave has recently been found in Sydney.

*Clerkenwell prison and the slums around it inspired Charles Dickens to write his book “Oliver Twist”. The prison was pulled down in 1890 although the cellars remained. In 1892 a school for the deaf was built there. The school existed until 1943 when it was bombed and destroyed by German planes.

Appendix 2FATAL CONSEQUENCES

Chapter 47Introduction to the textFagin has told Sikes that Claypole followed Nancy. She had a meeting with Brownlow. It is clear that Nancy has betrayed Sikes and he wants revenge.

It was nearly two hours before day–break; that time which in the autumn of the year, may be truly called the dead of night; when the streets are silent and deserted; when even sounds appear to slumber…

…Sikes made no reply; but, pulling open the door and dashed into the silent streets.Without one pause, or moment’s consideration; without once turning his head to the right or left, or raising his eyes to the sky, or lowering them to the ground, but looking straight before him with savage resolution: his teeth so tightly compressed that the strained jaw seemed starting through his skin; the robber held on his headlong course, nor muttered a word, nor relaxed a muscle, until he reached his own door. He opened it, softly, with a key; strode lightly up the stairs; and entering his own room, double–locked the door, and lifting a heavy table against it, drew back the curtain of the bed.

The girl was lying, half–dressed, upon it. He had roused her from her sleep, for she raised herself with a hurried and startled look.‘Get up!’ said the man.‘It is you, Bill!’ said the girl, with an expression of pleasure at his return.‘It is,’ was the reply. ‘Get up.’There was a candle burning, but the man hastily drew it from the candlestick, and hurled it under the grate. Seeing the faint light of early day without, the girl rose to open the curtains.‘Let it be,’ said Sikes, thrusting his hand before her. ‘There’s enough light for what I’ve got to do.’‘Bill,’ said the girl, in the low voice of alarm, ‘why do you look like that at me!’The robber sat regarding her, for a few seconds, with dilated nostrils and heaving breast; and then, grasping her by the head and throat, dragged her into the middle of the room, and looking once towards the door, placed his heavy hand upon her mouth.‘Bill, Bill!’ gasped the girl, wrestling with the strength of mortal fear,—‘I—I won’t scream or cry—not once—hear me—speak to me—tell me what I have done!’‘You know, you she devil!’ returned the robber, suppressing his breath. ‘You were watched to–night; every word you said was heard.’‘Then spare my life for the love of Heaven, as I spared yours,’ cried the girl, clinging to him. ‘Bill, dear Bill, you cannot have the heart to kill me. Oh! think of all I have given up, only this one night, for you. You SHALL have time to think, and save yourself this crime; I will not loose my hold, you cannot throw me off. Bill, Bill, for dear God’s sake, for your own, for mine, stop before you spill my blood! I have been true to you, upon my guilty soul I have!’The man struggled violently, to release his arms; but those of the girl were clasped round his, and tear her as he would, he could not tear them away.‘Bill,’ cried the girl, striving to lay her head upon his breast, ‘the gentleman and that dear lady, told me to–night of a home in some foreign country where I could end my days in solitude and peace. Let me see them again, and beg them, on my knees, to show the same mercy and goodness to you; and let us both leave this dreadful place, and far apart lead better lives, and forget how we have lived, except in prayers, and

never see each other more. It is never too late to repent. They told me so—I feel it now—but we must have time—a little, little time!’The housebreaker freed one arm, and grasped his pistol. The certainty of immediate detection if he fired, flashed across his mind even in the midst of his fury; and he beat it twice with all the force he could summon, upon the upturned face that almost touched his own.She staggered and fell: nearly blinded with the blood that rained down from a deep gash in her forehead; but raising herself, with difficulty, on her knees, drew from her bosom a white handkerchief and holding it up, in her folded hands, as high towards Heaven as her feeble strength would allow, breathed one prayer for mercy to her Maker.It was a ghastly figure to look upon. The murderer staggering backward to the wall, and shutting out the sight with his hand, seized a heavy club and struck her down.

GlossaryGrate: peisTo repent: å angerDetection: å bli oppdagetFury: sinneGash: sårA Forehead: pannenA prayer: en bønnHer Maker: GudGhastly figure : forferdelig skikkelseA murderer: en morderA club: en kølleTo stike/ struck: å slå/slo

Appendix 3

CHAPTER IITREATS OF OLIVER TWIST’S GROWTH, EDUCATION, AND BOARD

Introduction to the text

The orphan boys in the workhouse were not given enough food. They were always hungry. The bigger boys decided it was time to ask for more food and it was decided that little Oliver Twist would ask Bumble for more food that evening..

…The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The master, in his cook’s uniform, stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out; and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; the boys whispered each other, and winked at Oliver; while his next neighbours nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:‘Please, sir, I want some more.’The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupified astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder; the boys with fear.‘What!’ said the master at length, in a faint voice.‘Please, sir,’ replied Oliver, ‘I want some more.’The master aimed a blow at Oliver’s head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arm; and shrieked aloud for the beadle.

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GlossaryThe master: kokenThe copper: en gryteGruel: grøtA grace: en bordbønnHunger: sultReckless: uten redselBasin and spoon: skål og skjeTurned pale: ble blekAstonishment: overraskelseFaint voice: svak stemmeSupport: støtteA ladle: en øseShrieked aloud: ropte høyt