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| Sunday, 8 May 2005 |
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English Literature made easy : Oliver Twist - by Charles Dickens Charles Dickens, the author of a 'Tale of Two Cities' has to his credit 'David Copperfield', 'Great Expectations' and 'Pickwick Papers'. 'Oliver Twist' is one of his most famous novels highlighting his extreme admiration of childhood. His sympathises with children, deprived of parental affection and driven to misfortune and subjected to nefarious activities of criminals.
Oliver Charles Dickens has used the character of Oliver, to bring to light the logical fact that parentage matters a lot in the moulding of a child's character. Oliver having been subject to illegal acts, provoked by unlawful gangs, remains innocent. His innate good qualities are concealed but are reflected on his face. Oliver cannot be provoked by rogues, though he acts in an impetuous manner. The other two boys Charley Bates and Dodger of Fagin's group are entrapped within a villainous vacuum created by Fagin. Oliver's innocence is clearly portrayed in the scene in which he is pushed by his companions to ask for more food.
Bill Sykes The character of Bill Sykes is brought to light by the words uttered by him "What the Blaze is happening?" These words and the language pattern portrays the cruel, brutish and villainous characteristics of Bill Sykes. His pet dog with blinking eyes, kicked and scolded by Sykes behaves according to Syke's wishes. His shaggy dog with a torn and scratched face reflect the inner feelings of Sykes. His broad, heavy face with an overgrown beard and scowling eyes, and his mean usage of rude and rough language, reflect his inner qualities. They are evil and malicious - Fagin the Jew turns to Sykes, when in distress or in want of opinion and shrewd planning. Sykes being a shrewd schemer, succeeds in controlling Nancy and getting Oliver back. He can mislead Nancy to achieve his aims. Bill Syke's villainous actions follows him like his shadow and brings about his tragic end. Fagin Fagin is a mysterious character. He trains innocent boys, deprived of parental love and affection, to engage in nefarious activities. Fagin adopts shrewd methods, to teach the children, the art of stealing. The nasty habits such as drinking spirits and smoking pipes, create a set of children in an adult image. Fagin's physical characteristics portrays the villain he is "a very old shrivelled and villainous looking Jew stood over them with a toasting fork in his hand. His horrible face is nearly hidden by a quantity of matted hair and he wears greasy flannels ...." "The frying pan and the toasting fork" symbolises the evil qualities inherent in him. He is able to trap the boys with his trickish games. He puts various things into his pockets and walks round imitating a man walking down the streets. The boys are made to try and steal the things in the pockets. Fagin makes the best out of Oliver's innocent appearance and decent looks. He employs him in various robberies. Getting into the house of Mrs. Maylie is his most unsuccessful attempt, which is the turning point in Oliver's life and Fagin's fate. Fagin's evil qualities bring him to the threshold of a dreadful experience. In jail he suffers physically and mentally. He unfolds the secret of Oliver's parentage. The criminal, Fagin quite vilified, is hanged before a hostile crowd thus proving to the public how one's actions react resulting in the most tragic and revengeful manner "as you sow, so shall you reap". Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng.Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.
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Charles Dickens aims at convincing matured folk, the necessity to
create an appropriate background for children to grow up. As children are
the wealth of a country. 
"Please Sir,I want some more," and the master's drastic action confirms
the innocence of the child and the villainous adult. Oliver's misfortune
is at the highest at Fagin's where he is treated by Fagin and Bill Sykes.
But his good fortune enables Oliver to be dealt with in a just manner and
Oliver's innocence triumphs. Fagin and Skies hopes are shattered and
Oliver's innocence, is proved beyond doubt. 
