Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

“Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens unfolds in early 19th-century England, a period marked by urgent calls for social reform. The novel tells the story of Oliver, a young orphan born into poverty in a harsh workhouse system that views him as a burden. From the outset, readers witness the bleak circumstances surrounding Oliver’s birth and early years, revealing the cruelty and neglect embedded in the workhouse environment. Growing up with little support or compassion, Oliver is repeatedly mistreated, his spirit tested by the system’s indifference to the basic needs of impoverished children. Despite these harsh beginnings, Oliver’s resilience shines as he confronts new challenges, facing exploitative apprenticeships and hardships in his quest for a better life. Dickens uses Oliver’s journey to expose the brutal realities of poverty and highlight the need for social change.