Chapter 1 In the first chapter we learn about Oliver’s birth and how the poor are treated. Luckily Oliver survives in spite of the poor treatment he receives. Dickens presents a gloomy picture of the workhouse where the poor are treated like dirt by those who are supposed to take care of them. In a matter of fact tone the old woman who attends Oliver’s mother speaks of the death of her children. Given the conditions it is not surprising that mortality rate of the children is high.
Chapter 2 Oliver remains in the workhouse for the first year of his life and is later moved to a house for juveniles managed by a lady called Mrs Mann. The children are ill kept but deaths at the place are blamed on natural causes or unfortunate accidents. Mr. Bumble a pompous man who is the parish beadle visits the place when Oliver reaches the age of nine. It is his job to look after the children who have been sent to such juvenile centres. But he drinks gin with Mrs Mann and ignores the plight of the children. He also tells Mrs Mann how he followed the alphabet in giving Oliver his surname Twist. Oliver has been locked up the cellar but is cleaned up before he is presented to Mr Bumble who has come to take Oliver back to the workhouse so that he can be put to some work. His job is to pick oakum i.e. unravel old rope. The work is dreary but apart from that Oliver and his companions are poorly fed. The thin gruel leaves all the children hungry and one boy declares that he if he does not get enough to eat he will eat one of his companions. The boys then have a discussion and decide to ask for more food. This task is given to Oliver who reluctantly agrees. After finishing his supper Oliver asks for more. This leads to an uproar in the workhouse and Oliver is punished by being put under solitary confinement. The workhouse board puts up a notice and offers 5 pounds to anyone who will take Oliver off their hands and train him for a job. Oliver is considered a rascal who will come to a bad end.
Chapter 3 Oliver is flogged before his companions now and then so that he becomes an example for others and they never dare to do what he has done. A chimney sweep called Gamfield sees the notice offering 5 pounds to the person who takes Oliver and trains him As he needs money he meets the Board officials who however agree to give him only three pounds. But when Oliver appears before the two magistrates who are to approve the papers for his apprenticeship he looks so frightened that one of the magistrates who is very old asks him about his views about the apprenticeship. Oliver expresses his reluctance about going with the chimney sweep and the magistrate declines to give his approval. Dickens thus shows that there are considerate people in the world even though the social system is far from perfect. The Board members are disappointed and are of the view that a worse fate awaits Oliver. A fresh notice about Oliver’s availability for employment is put up.
Chapter 4 The Board considers sending Oliver to sea a career meant to reform the worst among humans. But Mr Bumble happens to discuss the matter of Oliver with Mr Sowerberry an undertaker. Mr Sowerberry agrees to take the boy and train him. Oliver raises no objection this time as he is too exhausted to
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