London, England
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
AP Question
1979. Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character's actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
1982. In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid plot summary.
1995. Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class, or creed. Choose a novel or a play in which such a character plays a significant role and show how that character's alienation reveals the surrounding society's assumptions or moral values
1982. In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid plot summary.
1995. Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class, or creed. Choose a novel or a play in which such a character plays a significant role and show how that character's alienation reveals the surrounding society's assumptions or moral values
Theme
One subtle theme throughout Oliver Twist has to do with corruption of: churches, charities, and law. Many of his characters are found to be money driven and selfish. They were uncaring of those who desperately needed their help under their care. instead the people in charge would keep money and things for themselves instead for food and shelter of others.
With the corruption of establishments came a corruption over cities. Dickens' explained the cities are dark dreary places. This had largely to due with the factories because trees were being cut down and the smog from the factories made for terrible air pollution. People were becoming more and more money driven and everybody fended for themselves rather then working together. This became the mind set of the lower and working classes.
With the corruption of establishments came a corruption over cities. Dickens' explained the cities are dark dreary places. This had largely to due with the factories because trees were being cut down and the smog from the factories made for terrible air pollution. People were becoming more and more money driven and everybody fended for themselves rather then working together. This became the mind set of the lower and working classes.
Key Quotes
“Will you return to this gang of robbers, and to this man, when a word can save you? What fascination is it that can take you back, and make you cling to wickedness and misery?” (chp.40)
"Pity us, lady—pity us for having only one feeling of the woman left and for having that turned . . . from a comfort and a pride into a new means of violence and suffering." (chp. 40)
"Without strong affection and humanity of heart, and gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy and whose great attribute is Benevolence . . . happiness can never be attained."(chp.53)
I picked these three quotes to show the corruption of the city and people that Dickens was trying to portray in all his literature. In Oliver Twist the point Dickens is trying to get across to his reader's that money and greed were turning people into criminals and Oliver kept his innocence from constantly trying to run away from these crowds. However with good evil is close behind. This was the dilemma with Oliver even though he ran away from the pick pocketers they continued to cause him problems because secretly they envied his courage, and were scared of getting caught.
"Pity us, lady—pity us for having only one feeling of the woman left and for having that turned . . . from a comfort and a pride into a new means of violence and suffering." (chp. 40)
"Without strong affection and humanity of heart, and gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy and whose great attribute is Benevolence . . . happiness can never be attained."(chp.53)
I picked these three quotes to show the corruption of the city and people that Dickens was trying to portray in all his literature. In Oliver Twist the point Dickens is trying to get across to his reader's that money and greed were turning people into criminals and Oliver kept his innocence from constantly trying to run away from these crowds. However with good evil is close behind. This was the dilemma with Oliver even though he ran away from the pick pocketers they continued to cause him problems because secretly they envied his courage, and were scared of getting caught.
Character Ananylsis
Oliver- The protagonist of the story as well as the main character of Oliver Twist. Oliver's mother dies in childbirth leaving Oliver an orphan with Mrs. Corney. Oliver falls into line with many corrupt citizens causing him trouble, but he avoids becoming corrupt himself.
Monks- He is Oliver's step brother who is trying to keep all of Oliver's inheritance from their deceased father. He is selfish and corrupt as well as money driven.
Nancy- Nancy is apart of the pick pocketers and has made a life from it. She is in a relationship with Fagin and protects Oliver because she feels bad for him, but refuses to help herself. Therefore in the end because she helped Oliver she was beaten to her death.
Fagin- He is a pick pocketer who has a harsh temper and always is pulling Oliver into all of his crimes, however Oliver constantly refuses to participate which infuriates Fagin more.
Dodger- Then he is a well trained pick pocketer who brings Oliver into the "business."
Mrs. Corney- She is the owner of the work house that young Oliver lived in. She is careless, materialistic, and selfish.
Monks- He is Oliver's step brother who is trying to keep all of Oliver's inheritance from their deceased father. He is selfish and corrupt as well as money driven.
Nancy- Nancy is apart of the pick pocketers and has made a life from it. She is in a relationship with Fagin and protects Oliver because she feels bad for him, but refuses to help herself. Therefore in the end because she helped Oliver she was beaten to her death.
Fagin- He is a pick pocketer who has a harsh temper and always is pulling Oliver into all of his crimes, however Oliver constantly refuses to participate which infuriates Fagin more.
Dodger- Then he is a well trained pick pocketer who brings Oliver into the "business."
Mrs. Corney- She is the owner of the work house that young Oliver lived in. She is careless, materialistic, and selfish.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was born on February 7th, 1812 in Portsmouth, England. He was born in a middle class home, but because of his father poor financial choices they downgraded to poverty during Dickens' childhood. His father was thrown unto jail and Dickens was taken out of school to work in a factory to help support his family; when he was only ten years old. After Dickens' dad was granted an early inheritance he used it to pay off his debt and young Charles was able to go back to school for a few shorts until he was needed to provide for his family once again.
He was part of the working class and moved up in society by mocking the middle class through Mr. Pipwick. He loved the theater and political journalism. He had nine children and ended up married twice. He wrote during the Victorian Age. He first published a series in the newspaper called Oliver Twist. This installment was made to entertain the lower class. It made fun of the upper class and their ways. That was the beginning of Charles successful writing career.
He was part of the working class and moved up in society by mocking the middle class through Mr. Pipwick. He loved the theater and political journalism. He had nine children and ended up married twice. He wrote during the Victorian Age. He first published a series in the newspaper called Oliver Twist. This installment was made to entertain the lower class. It made fun of the upper class and their ways. That was the beginning of Charles successful writing career.
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