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Crime and Poverty in Oliver Twist

            In the 1800's England overcome with crime and poverty. These two problems assume that there where both criminals and the impoverished residing in London perishes. This social casting led those who were more privileged to believe that those who were poor, were predisposed to crime, and therefore would become criminals. They assumed that crime was imminent and was the only solution to a life of poverty. In the novel "Oliver Twist" Oliver is exposed to various accounts of criminal activity and is expected to eventually fall into an inescapable life of lawlessness. British society hoped to restrain a growing impoverished people by establishing workhouses. These workhouses forced those who had been ill-educated, and unable to provide a stable income, to work under inhumane circumstances. This perpetual system questioned the morality of the noble men during this time period. How can they punish those who can not help themselves, those who were expected to become criminals on a basis of illiteracy and poverty? It begged to question if British society was the one manufacturing thieves then punished them. .
             Oliver Twist was born into poverty as an infant. He was exposed to many different types of criminals including Mrs. Mann who supervised a "juvenile offenders" workhouse. The irony of this women's position is that she is working to control 'criminality' among the impoverished yet is herself a criminal. The main antagonist of Oliver Twist is Fagin (and his gang). In the book Fagin is depicted as a "grotesque" Jew. He views society as a chess game in which he is always one step ahead. In chapter 9 he says, "What a fine thing capital punishment is! Dead men never repent; dead men never bring awkward stories to light. The prospect of the gallows, too, makes them hardy and bold. Ah, it's a fine thing for the trade! Five of them strung up in a row, and none left to play booty or turn white-livered!" (145) This quote shows that his perception of society is that he can easily escape it; this foreshadows his ultimate demise and betrayal of his gang.


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