Dickens's style of writing is perhaps most characterized by its scathing satire. It is such an integral part of his writing that most analysis of his work begins with a claim at looking beyond the satire, to the true strengths and weaknesses of his writing. Yet, to do this, is to overlook the one aspect of Dickens's writing that is the most appealing. Social commentary and political discourse are good themes for a novel to have, as it addresses a more topical issue, but there is nothing like humor and more importantly, satire to appeal to the mass audience. This is one characteristic that Dickens undoubtedly mastered as seen by his immense popularity, and Oliver Twist is one in a series of his novels where his satire has free reign. .
The satire in Oliver Twist focuses on two aspects. The caricaturization of the characters and social commentary. This last category encompasses the class conflict, and the venality and incompetence of the law and the political system. Through the novel Oliver Twist, Dickens speaks out against the Poverty Laws of 1934, and against the general state of the legal system. Towards the beginning of the novel, Dickens casts a satirical eye over the child welfare system and the workhouses that were established by the poor laws. When Oliver is orphaned, and the parish authorities are deciding his future, they inquire with "dignity" as to his circumstances, are replied to with "humility," and thereupon decide "magnanimously and humanely" (p. 48) to condemn him to the worst possible existence for a child by placing Oliver in the workhouse. Through these simple descriptions, Dickens imparts to the reader a sense of the authorities misplaced feeling of importance, and benevolence. Their self-delusion is evident, and while being humorous, is also distressing in the result it will have on the life of the young, innocent Oliver. .
At various other points in the first few chapters of the novel, these authorities in the form of the board of educators are called "sage, deep, philosophical men," who came up with many "wise and humane regulations" (p.
