Blog #4

Title: Oliver Twist
Author: Charles Dickens
Genre: Classic
Pages:360

My favorite quote from what I have read so far is: “There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.” I think that this means that some books write about nonsense and pain that they think is horrible, they should first see how many other people live, maybe worse than them, like Oliver Twist, he had a horrible childhood. Although, this quote can mean in life too. When you meet a person and you really start to like them, sometimes when you get to know the people better, their mask is much prettier than what is inside.

I have read ahead and from the 6th chapter got to the 12th chapter over break. Here is what happens in this book from the 6th chapter to the 12th:

-6th Chapter:

A measles epidemic arrives, and Oliver gains extensive experience in undertaking. His master dresses him well so that he can march in the processions. Oliver notes that the relatives of the dead, wealthy, elderly people quickly overcome their grief after the funeral. Noah becomes increasingly jealous of Oliver’s speedy advancement. One day, he insults Oliver’s dead mother. Oliver attacks him. Charlotte and Mrs. Sowerberry rush to Noah’s aid, and the three of them beat Oliver and lock him in the cellar.

-7th Chapter:

Noah rushes to fetch Mr. Bumble, sobbing so that his injuries from his confrontation with Oliver appear much worse than they are. Mr. Bumble informs Mrs. Sowerberry that feeding meat to Oliver gives him more spirit than is appropriate to his station in life. Still enraged, Oliver kicks at the cellar door. Sowerberry returns home, beats Oliver, and locks him up again. Oliver’s rage dissolves into tears. Early the next morning, Oliver runs away. On his way out of town, he passes the workhouse where he used to live and sees an old friend, Dick, in the yard. Dick swears not to tell anyone about Oliver’s flight and gives him a warm farewell.

-8th Chapter:

Oliver decides to walk the seventy miles to London. Hunger, cold, and fatigue weaken him over the next seven days. In one village, signs warn that beggars will be thrown in jail. Finally, Oliver limps into a small town just outside London and collapses in a doorway. He is approached by a boy about his own age named Jack Dawkins, who dresses and acts like a grown man. Jack purchases a large lunch for Oliver and informs him that he knows a “genelman” in London who will let Oliver stay in his home for free. Oliver learns that Jack’s nickname is “the Artful Dodger.” He guesses from the Dodger’s appearance that his way of life is wonderfull. He plans to ingratiate himself with the gentleman in London and then end all association with Jack.That night, the Dodger takes Oliver to a London neighborhood. At a dilapidated house, the Dodger calls out a password, and a man allows them to enter. The Dodger conducts Oliver into a filthy, black back room where an “old shrivelled Jew” named Fagin and some boys are having supper. Silk handkerchiefs hang everywhere. The boys smoke pipes and drink liquor although none appear older than the Dodger. Oliver takes a share of the dinner and sinks into a deep sleep.

-9th Chapter:

The next morning, Fagin takes out a box full of jewelry and watches. He notices Oliver observing him. Fagin grabs a bread knife and asks Oliver if he was awake an hour before. Oliver says he was not.The Artful Dodger returns with another boy, named Charley Bates. Fagin asks if they worked hard that morning. The Dodger produces two pocketbooks, and Charley pulls out four handkerchiefs. Fagin says that they will have to teach Oliver how to pick out the marks on the handkerchiefs with a needle. Oliver does not realize he has joined a band of pickpockets, so he believes their jokes about teaching him how to make handkerchiefs and pocketbooks. Dodger and Charley practice picking Fagin’s pockets. Two young women, Bet and Nancy, whom the narrator describes as “remarkably free and agreeable,” drop in for drinks. Fagin gives all of them some money and sends them out. Fagin lets Oliver practice taking a handkerchief out of his pocket and gives him a shilling for a job well done.

-10th Chapter:

For days, Fagin keeps Oliver indoors practicing the art of picking pockets. Oliver notices that Fagin punishes the Dodger and Charley if they return home empty-handed. Finally, Fagin sends Oliver out with the Dodger and Charley to work. After some time, the Dodger notices a wealthy gentleman absorbed in reading at a bookstall. Oliver watches with horror as Charley and the Dodger sneak up behind the man and steal his handkerchief. He finally understands the nature of Fagin’s work. The gentleman turns and sees Oliver running away. Thinking that Oliver is the thief, he raises a cry. The Dodger and Charley see Oliver running past them, so they join in, crying, “Stop thief!” A large crowd joins the pursuit. A police officer arrives and grabs Oliver by the collar, ignoring the boy’s protests of his innocence. The gentleman who was robbed asks the police officer not to hurt Oliver and follows them to the police station.

-11th Chapter:

The officer locks Oliver in a jail cell to await his appearance before Mr. Fang, the district magistrate. Mr. Brownlow, the gentleman, protests that he does not want to press charges. He thinks he recognizes something in Oliver’s face, but cannot put his finger on it. Oliver faints in the courtroom, and Mr. Fang sentences him to three months of hard labor. The owner of the bookstall rushes in and tells Mr. Fang that two other boys committed the crime. Oliver is cleared of all charges. Pitying the sickly young Oliver, Brownlow takes him into a coach and drives away.

-12th Chapter:

Oliver is delirious with a fever for days. When he awakes, Brownlow’s kindly housekeeper, Mrs. Bedwin, is watching over him. He says that he feels as if his mother has come to sit by him. The story of Oliver’s pitiful life brings tears to Mrs. Bedwin’s eyes. Once Oliver is strong enough to sit up, Mrs. Bedwin carries him downstairs. A portrait of a young woman catches Oliver’s eye and affects him greatly. Mr. Brownlow drops in to see how Oliver is feeling. Oliver thanks him for his kindness. Brownlow exclaims with astonishment that Oliver closely resembles the young lady in the portrait. Brownlow’s exclamation startles Oliver so much that the boy faints.

I really enjoy reading this book, it has taught me how to change opinions and perspectives. It is also very educational, I learned many new words I never knew before and started using them now.

BLOG QUESTION:

What are some of the themes being woven throughout the plot line of the novel?

There is a specific theme in every paragraph, Oliver Twist is a book full oif surprises, you never know what kind of disaster or surprise you might come too. Some themes made me cry and some made me happy and smile. One of the few that made me cry was when everyone wanted to get rid of Oliver and he didn't even do anything, it is very sad knowing you're not wanted. I also cried at the part where they cut his food off, no meat, he was starving and about to die, eating at this house was like the biggest meal of his life, and as a little boy he doesnt deserve to starve to death, he doesn't even deserve to die. One of the few that made me happy was the one when in the courthouse they find out Oliver didn't steal the handkerchief. However my mom cried thoughout the whoile book, because of sadness or happiness, either way.

How does the author do this?

Charles Dickens makes the theme appear, it would be boring to have that one theme go on forever. However, he lets a theme or conflict resolve, then adds a twist to it and then adds another happeneing with it. 

Is it enjoyable to both of you?

I enjoy reading this book especially because of its twists and the different perspectives. I enjoy reading something like this and then realizing that I had wonderful things done to me compared to what happened to Oliver Twist, which I thought was bad, I can't feel the character's pain exactly, but if I had far better things I thought were horrible that happened to me, then I can't imagine how he feels. My mom says that her childhood wasn't amazing, but it was much better than Olivers, she enjoys reading this book and learning a lot about his pain.