Exploring the Intersection of ‘Oliver Twist’ and Criminal Justice
Thinking about it, it is possible to give a interpretation of the novel ‘Oliver Twist’ in relation to the criminal justice system. The life of the main character of the novel, Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens, is a perfect example of how a person can be involved in criminal activities and become a hero. It is rather intriguing, is it not, how the story of a fictional orphan from the 19th century is connected with the problems of today? Dickens, as always, for his ability to combine social commentary with literature, made it quite a interesting topic for study. So, let’s try to understand the complex web of crime, justice, and social norms that Dickens described so beautifully.
The Societal Context: Dickens’ Critique of Justice
During the early nineteenth century, the industrial revolution was in its highest evolution, changing the physical environment and the people in it. Many people moved to cities in search of employment, but for many of them, this was the time of disappointment. Dickens wrote during this time of inequality and used Oliver Twist to comment on the justice system. His depiction of the workhouse, criminal society, and legal systems provides rich ground for discussion. Makes you wonder, was justice really just back then?
The Workhouse System as a Breeding Ground for Crime
Can it be helped but to feel that the harsh conditions of the workhouses might have somehow damaged the psyche of young people? The Victorian workhouses that were intended to ‘help’ the poor were in fact very harsh and strict. In fact, they were a life of misery. The experience of Oliver Twist in the workhouse is a picture of a possible life that could make one turn to crime. The Victorian laws and their application left the wretched and poor to suffer, thus creating a situation that led to the development of a sequence of crime.
Did You Know?
Did you know that children as young as nine could work gruelling hours in factories and mines during Dickens’ time? Not all the things that happened to young Oliver were fictional. Dickens was a great champion of children’s rights and advocated for change through legislation.
Fagin and Sikes: Symbols of an Unchecked Criminal Element
Fagin and Bill Sikes are two of the most memorable villains in Dickens’ works and are portrayed as cruel criminals in the society. You see, these were people who thrived due to systemic failures. As Oliver moves through their world, he shows us how abandonment allows such persons as Fagin and Sikes to emerge. The threat they pose to young people who have no one to protect them and who have not been protected by the justice system is evidence of what happens when such people are left to their own devices – they cause a lot of harm and suffering.
- The Artful Dodger can be seen as a representation of a lost potential, which represents how quickly the creativity of a young person can be diverted from the right path by wrong company.
- Fagin’s Den is a representation of a mini society where people are corrupted and where crime is used as a way of life.
Poverty: A Catalyst for Crime and Reform
Poverty and its relation to crime is a theme that Dickens’ narrative keeps coming back to. It is not used simply as a setting but as if it is another character. Many of Oliver’s misfortys are due to the fact that the society has neglected the poor. Dickens uses this correlation to call for changes not only in the criminal justice system but in the society as a whole.
Tip
Consider the parallels between crime rates and economic inequality when developing research papers. Some of Dickens’ observations are quite astonishingly actual and can be used for the analysis of present-day issues.
Legal Practices: Upholding or Undermining Justice?
In the novel by Dickens, the justice system is inadequate for those who require it most. This paper has also established that the legal system and other related authorities play a key role in the life of Young Oliver Twist through the police and the courts. It is rather to consider whether justice is really brought to him in his story or if the system is just another way of oppressing people like him. Maybe the law was more about the maintenance of order than justice?
Twist’s Redemption: A Beacon of Hope
However, there is hope in the darkness and Oliver’s story is not a hopeless one. The fact that the systems have not been able to limit his chances of rescue and redemption shows that change is still possible. It is about what happens when people persist, have kindness and when there is real change, and somehow, it is possible to see the possibility of changing society. It is no wonder, therefore, that he still has his readers.
Interesting Fact
In Dickens’ England, however, not everyone was as lucky as Oliver. Some of the social changes that occurred were due to Dickens’ efforts, which led to changes in the laws concerning children, child labor and education.
Lessons for Today’s Criminal Justice Systems
Oliver’s story makes one to think about the present systems in place. What are the similarities between Dickens’ criticisms and the problems of today? Are we really trying to get at the root of crime? Dickens asks modern readers to keep on fighting for changes in the system, and not only for punishment but for the sake of empathy and help.
FAQ
Why is Oliver Twist relevant to criminal justice studies? For its critical approach to the social and legal systems and for the detail with which it presents the effects of poverty on crime.
How does Dickens portray the legal system? For the most part, it portrays the system as being broken, where the law does not always give justice but rather serves to control.
What reforms did Dickens indirectly promote? He spoke for children’s rights, for changes in the child labor laws, and for the welfare of the poor.
Concluding Remarks
It has been my pleasure to take you through this analysis of Oliver Twist and its relation to criminal justice. It is my hope that this analysis has given you new ideas and food for thought as to how they can be used in the present and future. Please look for other articles to read, as there are many more interesting and inspiring posts to discover and never stop wondering.
