Usama Khan E419 Gilkey 23 January 2014 Morality Where There is None Oliver is a young orphan child who is born with a pure conscience. However, the world he lives in is corrupt, vile, and ultimately ruined. Typically, the moral build of a person is a reflection of who and what he is surrounded by. The overlying idea being that society influences ones conscience and how one view certain scenarios. In Oliver Twist, Dickens debunks this thought by proving that innocence and purity are not always tarnished by society; morality can exist where there is none. In the book Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens employs a sequence of twisting plot elements combined with the innocence of a child s mind to display how purity and moral conscience can still thrive in a corrupt and ruined society. Dickens attempts to prove this claim through the character Oliver Twist. Within the novel, he carries the burden of representing the principle of Good, which may seem to hamper the development of individual character in Oliver (Tillotson). Oliver is primarily used to prove Dickens claim, he is more a tool than an individual. Throughout the book, Dickens constantly twists the plot, leaving Oliver in many situations where he is forced to make a decision between options that are morally correct and options that are not. In fact, the story of Oliver Twist is altogether improbable (The Spectator). The rate at which Oliver encounters new troubles is fictional, it serves solely as a tool for Dickens to display
his claim to his audience. Oliver constantly makes the correct decisions, showing that purity and morality can exist even when surrounded by corruption. A prime example of Oliver s decision making occurs when he witnesses Dodger pick pocketing Mr. Brownlow at the book stall. Instead of participating in the theft, Oliver is horrified to see the Dodger plunge his hand into the old gentleman s pocket, and draw from thence a handkerchief (103). Oliver had a choice of either assisting the thieves and making money, or not taking part in the act at all. Oliver knew both his options, his innocent and pure mind picking the morally correct choice. As one scenario comes to an end, Dickens twists the plot, emplacing young Oliver in another situation of moral conflict. Bill Sikes employs Oliver against his will to help him with a robbery. Oliver knows that Bill Sikes is a dangerous man, and that it is in his best interest to do exactly as he is told. Yet, when it comes time for the robbery, Oliver exclaims pray have mercy on me, and do not make me steal (213). Even with his life on the line, Oliver s moral and pure mindset take over, leading him to make the correct decisions and not succumb to the surrounding corruption. he is surrounded by. In both these situations, Oliver has to pick between two acts. The immoral act offers the best benefit and highest chances of survival for Oliver. However, in Oliver s mind, morality takes the throne above safety and survival. Oliver cannot bring himself to commit and act that goes against his character, resultantly always picking the morally correct path and dealing with the consequences as they come. Oliver s strong will allows him to tackle these challenges and maintain the purity of his mind. The society in which Oliver is situated lacks proper morals. The innocence of his young mind allows Oliver to uphold a pure and moral value despite the setting in which he is placed. Throughout the book, Oliver is placed in settings that display corruption and immoral actions. The entire book parallels the society at the time, it has a twofold moral purpose: to exhibit the
evil working of the Poor Law Act, and to give a faithful picture of the life of the thieves in London (Gissing). At the time of publication, the Poor Law Act was being passed, which was enacted in order to fight poverty through the use of workhouses. Dickens uses the failures of this act as a basis to build the corrupt society that Oliver dwells in. During his trial for the alleged theft at the book stall, Oliver is treated like a dirty criminal. No pity is shown. Early on in the book, Oliver is depicted as a kind, loving child who has done nothing wrong during his short life (Winters). There is no need for Mr. Fang, the magistrate, to treat him harshly with no evidence of his guilt. He goes as far as committing Oliver to three months hard labour still with no evidence (113). The setting of the harsh, vile courtroom is enough to break the purity and morality of any man, much more a child. However, Oliver remains a sweet and innocent boy, even after his unfair and brutally harsh treatment. Oliver s early childhood also takes place in a setting that lacks morals. The orphanage is made for kids, but does nothing to keep them healthy or well, in fact, it barely keeps them alive. Oliver is treated in a harsh manner early on, being tossed from orphanage to workhouse constantly. In the workhouse, things are not much better, Like a prisoner, Oliver is given very little food and frequently beaten (Winters). Such a brutal and inhumane setting at an early age changes the way a person interacts with others around him, however for Oliver, his conscience remains pure and innocent through all the hardships he faces. Olvier is somehow resistant to the corrosive effects of environment (Brantlinger). With this strong willed and metal minded character, Dickens aims to prove that a pure conscience can still exist in an immoral and harsh setting. The characters that Oliver interacts with influence him just as much as his setting, however his moral character once again allows him to shield his moral characteristics from any immoral influences he may receive from the corrupt characters with which he interacts. In the novel,
Dickens addresses the idea that morality can exist where there is corruption. Essentially, the surroundings of a person have no effect on his character if he has a pure and moral conscience. Dickens himself confesses that he has yet to learn that a lesson of the purest good may not be drawn from the vilest evil. I have always believed this to be a recognized and established truth (Dickens). Dickens uses the negative characters and immoral influences in his novel as a tool to promote morality. An immoral situation breeds a moral character. Oliver proves this claim through his interactions with immoral characters throughout his adventures. Mainly, the thieves such as Fagin, Bill Sikes, and Dodger are the negative influences on Oliver. Oliver is poor and homeless, he has very few choices regarding how he survives. Throughout the book, Dickens shows and comments on, the effects of the laws on the poor (Smith). The poor have little to no rights and are treated like trash, they must make a living somehow. Many find themselves in the company of thieves, which is the case with Oliver. However, Oliver has a pure conscience, he does not agree with the thefts and immoral actions of his company. He remains with them, but his mind stays innocent. When the time comes and he escapes their company, he surrounds himself with good people, such as the Maylies. With his new company, Oliver displays care and compassion, showing that he is unaffected by the negative influences. When Rose is ill, Oliver expresses concern, the tears forced themselves into his eyes when he realized that Rose was very sick (306). Had the negative characters influenced Oliver, his moral compassion and innocence would have been destroyed. However, his interactions and attitude towards Rose in times of trouble serve to prove that he has retained his innocent and pure mind, even through all the troubles and influences through which he was subjected. In the book Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens employs a sequence of twisting plot elements combined with the innocence of a child s mind to display how purity and moral conscience can
still thrive in a corrupt and ruined society. The widely accepted truth is that society molds a person and his or her moral conscience. Dickens proves the opposite, that moral individuals can thrive even when surrounded by corruption and chaos.
Works Cited Brantlinger, Patrick. Benthamite and Antibenthamite Fiction. Twentieeth Cntury Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale, Dickens, Charles. Oliver Twist. New York: Dodd, Mead &, 1941. Print. Dickens, Charles. Preface to Oliver Twist. Twentieeth Century Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale, Gissing, George. The Immortal Dickens. Twentieeth Cntury Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale, Smith, Jennifer. Novels for Students. Vol. 14. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Print. The Spectator. Twentieeth Century Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale, Tillostson, Kathleen. Oliver Twist. Twentieeth Cntury Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale, Winters, Kelly. "Criticism." Novels for Students. Vol. 14. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Print.