Usama Khan

E419
Gilkey
23 January 2014
Morality Where There is None
Oliver is a young orphan child who is born with a pure conscience. However, the world he
lives in is corrupt, vile, and ultimately ruined. Typically, the moral build of a person is a
reflection of who and what he is surrounded by. The overlying idea being that society influences
ones conscience and how one view certain scenarios. In Oliver Twist, Dickens debunks this
thought by proving that innocence and purity are not always tarnished by society; morality can
exist where there is none. In the book Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens employs a sequence of
twisting plot elements combined with the innocence of a childs mind to display how purity and
moral conscience can still thrive in a corrupt and ruined society. Dickens attempts to prove this
claim through the character Oliver Twist. Within the novel, he carries the burden of representing
the principle of Good, which may seem to hamper the development of individual character in
Oliver (Tillotson). Oliver is primarily used to prove Dickens claim, he is more a tool than an
individual.
Throughout the book, Dickens constantly twists the plot, leaving Oliver in many situations
where he is forced to make a decision between options that are morally correct and options that
are not. In fact, the story of Oliver Twist is altogether improbable (The Spectator). The rate at
which Oliver encounters new troubles is fictional, it serves solely as a tool for Dickens to display

his claim to his audience. Oliver constantly makes the correct decisions, showing that purity and
morality can exist even when surrounded by corruption. A prime example of Olivers decision
making occurs when he witnesses Dodger pick pocketing Mr. Brownlow at the book stall.
Instead of participating in the theft, Oliver is horrified to see the Dodger plunge his hand into
the old gentlemans pocket, and draw from thence a handkerchief (103). Oliver had a choice of
either assisting the thieves and making money, or not taking part in the act at all. Oliver knew
both his options, his innocent and pure mind picking the morally correct choice. As one scenario
comes to an end, Dickens twists the plot, emplacing young Oliver in another situation of moral
conflict. Bill Sikes employs Oliver against his will to help him with a robbery. Oliver knows that
Bill Sikes is a dangerous man, and that it is in his best interest to do exactly as he is told. Yet,
when it comes time for the robbery, Oliver exclaims pray have mercy on me, and do not make
me steal (213). Even with his life on the line, Olivers moral and pure mindset take over,
leading him to make the correct decisions and not succumb to the surrounding corruption. he is
surrounded by. In both these situations, Oliver has to pick between two acts. The immoral act
offers the best benefit and highest chances of survival for Oliver. However, in Olivers mind,
morality takes the throne above safety and survival. Oliver cannot bring himself to commit and
act that goes against his character, resultantly always picking the morally correct path and
dealing with the consequences as they come. Olivers strong will allows him to tackle these
challenges and maintain the purity of his mind.
The society in which Oliver is situated lacks proper morals. The innocence of his young mind
allows Oliver to uphold a pure and moral value despite the setting in which he is placed.
Throughout the book, Oliver is placed in settings that display corruption and immoral actions.
The entire book parallels the society at the time, it has a twofold moral purpose: to exhibit the

evil working of the Poor Law Act, and to give a faithful picture of the life of the thieves in
London (Gissing). At the time of publication, the Poor Law Act was being passed, which was
enacted in order to fight poverty through the use of workhouses. Dickens uses the failures of this
act as a basis to build the corrupt society that Oliver dwells in. During his trial for the alleged
theft at the book stall, Oliver is treated like a dirty criminal. No pity is shown. Early on in the
book, Oliver is depicted as a kind, loving child who has done nothing wrong during his short
life (Winters). There is no need for Mr. Fang, the magistrate, to treat him harshly with no
evidence of his guilt. He goes as far as committing Oliver to three monthshard labour still
with no evidence (113). The setting of the harsh, vile courtroom is enough to break the purity and
morality of any man, much more a child. However, Oliver remains a sweet and innocent boy,
even after his unfair and brutally harsh treatment. Olivers early childhood also takes place in a
setting that lacks morals. The orphanage is made for kids, but does nothing to keep them healthy
or well, in fact, it barely keeps them alive. Oliver is treated in a harsh manner early on, being
tossed from orphanage to workhouse constantly. In the workhouse, things are not much better,
Like a prisoner, Oliver is given very little food and frequently beaten (Winters). Such a brutal
and inhumane setting at an early age changes the way a person interacts with others around him,
however for Oliver, his conscience remains pure and innocent through all the hardships he faces.
Olvier is somehow resistant to the corrosive effects of environment (Brantlinger). With this
strong willed and metal minded character, Dickens aims to prove that a pure conscience can still
exist in an immoral and harsh setting.
The characters that Oliver interacts with influence him just as much as his setting, however
his moral character once again allows him to shield his moral characteristics from any immoral
influences he may receive from the corrupt characters with which he interacts. In the novel,

Dickens addresses the idea that morality can exist where there is corruption. Essentially, the
surroundings of a person have no effect on his character if he has a pure and moral conscience.
Dickens himself confesses that he has yet to learn that a lesson of the purest good may not be
drawn from the vilest evil. I have always believed this to be a recognized and established truth
(Dickens). Dickens uses the negative characters and immoral influences in his novel as a tool to
promote morality. An immoral situation breeds a moral character. Oliver proves this claim
through his interactions with immoral characters throughout his adventures. Mainly, the thieves
such as Fagin, Bill Sikes, and Dodger are the negative influences on Oliver. Oliver is poor and
homeless, he has very few choices regarding how he survives. Throughout the book, Dickens
shows and comments on, the effects of the laws on the poor (Smith). The poor have little to no
rights and are treated like trash, they must make a living somehow. Many find themselves in the
company of thieves, which is the case with Oliver. However, Oliver has a pure conscience, he
does not agree with the thefts and immoral actions of his company. He remains with them, but
his mind stays innocent. When the time comes and he escapes their company, he surrounds
himself with good people, such as the Maylies. With his new company, Oliver displays care and
compassion, showing that he is unaffected by the negative influences. When Rose is ill, Oliver
expresses concern, the tears forced themselves into his eyes when he realized that Rose was
very sick (306). Had the negative characters influenced Oliver, his moral compassion and
innocence would have been destroyed. However, his interactions and attitude towards Rose in
times of trouble serve to prove that he has retained his innocent and pure mind, even through all
the troubles and influences through which he was subjected.
In the book Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens employs a sequence of twisting plot elements
combined with the innocence of a childs mind to display how purity and moral conscience can

still thrive in a corrupt and ruined society. The widely accepted truth is that society molds a
person and his or her moral conscience. Dickens proves the opposite, that moral individuals can
thrive even when surrounded by corruption and chaos.

Works Cited
Brantlinger, Patrick. Benthamite and Antibenthamite Fiction. Twentieeth Cntury Literary 1998.
Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale,
Dickens, Charles. Oliver Twist. New York: Dodd, Mead &, 1941. Print.
Dickens, Charles. Preface to Oliver Twist. Twentieeth Century Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37.
Detroit: Gale,
Gissing, George. The Immortal Dickens. Twentieeth Cntury Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37.
Detroit: Gale,
Smith, Jennifer. Novels for Students. Vol. 14. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Print.
The Spectator. Twentieeth Century Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit: Gale,
Tillostson, Kathleen. Oliver Twist. Twentieeth Cntury Literary 1998. Print.Criticism. Vol. 37. Detroit:
Gale,
Winters, Kelly. "Criticism." Novels for Students. Vol. 14. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Print.