OLIVER TWIST KNOWLEDGE ORGANISER Characters Symbolic of Quotes

OLIVER TWIST: KNOWLEDGE ORGANISER Characters Symbolic of Quotes The head of the Context ‘a fat and angry man’, ‘Mr Bumble gave him a tap on the head Mr Bumble workhouse who Middle class selfishness 1824 Dickens was sent to work at a blacking factory with his cane, and another on the back to make him lively’ represents 1825 Dickens’ father was imprisoned in Marshalsea Debtor’s prison The eponymous 1834 The New Poor Law, establishing the workhouse system Courage, innocence ‘the victim of poverty’, ‘nature or inheritance had implanted a Oliver Twist protagonist; an 1837 Dickens wrote Oliver Twist and moral goodness sturdy spirit in Oliver’s chest’ orphan Social Strict Victorian class system. People were divided into upper, middle, lower class An apprentice of The outcome of a life of‘Noah Claypole could not think of a worthier purpose than hierarchy and ‘paupers’ Noah Claypole Mr Sowerberry cruelty aggravating and tantalising young Oliver Twist’ Patriarchal Women were supposed to be domestic, pure and selfless. Men had authority over A pickpocket in the freedom of the ‘he had about him all the airs and manners of a man’, society women. Artful Dodger Fagin’s gang criminal underworld ‘roystering and swaggering’ Fallen A woman who had lost her innocence or chastity woman ‘[Oliver] was tended with a kindness and solicitude that knew Hygiene Streets in Victorian London were dangerously dirty and unhygienic Mr Brownlow Oliver’s supporter Power of philanthropy no bounds’, I’ll answer for this boys truth with my life’, 1 4 ‘showed the thriving seeds of all he wished him to become’ The population increase in Victorian London: the population of the city quadrupled million Mr An undertaker Middle class disdain ‘I see no saving in orphans; they always cost more to keep Key ideas Sowerberry and coffin‐maker and lack of sympathy than they’re worth’ 1. Good and evil… … are shown in all parts of society, not just the rich 2. Retribution… …is harsh for those who are cruel, though many escape The power and danger Make 'em your models, my dear. Do everything they bid you, Head of a gang of 3. Corruption of Fagin of living outside of and take their advice in all matters‐‐‐ especially the Dodger's, …is shown in rich and poor circles. pickpockets innocence. . society my dear. 4. Brutality and …forces the reader to respond with kindness The power of maternal villainy… Oliver’s supporter ‘even if he has been wicked; think how young he is: he may Rose Maylie philanthropy and 5. Philanthropy… …is shown by Mr Brownlow (could represent Dickens) and maternal aunt never have known a mother’s love, or comfort of a home’ morality 6. Cruelty… …continues to take Oliver’s happiness – he is trapped ‘Sikes clenched his teeth, took one look round, left Oliver in a 7. Realism… …challenged the readers who wanted to ignore reality A criminal The brutality and Bill Sikes ditch, threw his cloak over him, cleared a hedge in a bound, 8. Symbolic antagonist villainy of poverty …ensure that readers can identify with characters in the novel and was gone. ’ characters… A woman who 9. Cycle of poverty… …entraps all members of society Moral goodness despite‘burdened with the sense of her own deep shame, but Nancy entered Fagin’s poverty struggling with that was a feeble gleam of pride and humanity’ 10. Contrast… …between characters and moments creates pity gang as a child Plot 1. Oliver is born in the workhouse. Nominated to ask for more food and is punished. 2. Oliver is kicked out of the workhouse and sold to the Sowerberry family to be an undertaker’s apprentice. He’s bullied by Noah, they fight and he is locked up. 3. Oliver runs away to London, meets Dodger and is introduced to Fagin’s gang. 4. Oliver is taken out with the gang and is horrified to see Dodger steal a gentleman’s handkerchief. Oliver is wrongly arrested for theft. 5. The gentleman, Mr. Brownlow, takes pity on Oliver and takes him in. The gang plot to get him back in case he reveals information about them. 6. Oliver is abducted by the gang whilst running an errand for Mr. Brownlow. 7. Oliver is used by Sikes in a burglary. They fail and Sikes runs away. Oliver is left behind, wounded, but meets Fred and Rose Maylie who care for him. 8. When Bill and Fagin realise what has happened, they plot to catch Oliver again. Nancy overhears and visits Mr. Brownlow to warn him. 9. Fagin tells Bill about Nancy’s betrayal and Bill murders her. Fagin is discovered and sent to prison and Bill dies trying to run away. 10. Oliver discovers who his parents were and joins Mr. Bownlow and the Maylies to live happily ever after.