1. Deprivation and Harsh Living Conditions: Oliver Twist is introduced as an orphan living in a workhouse, an institution where the poor are forced to labor for meager provisions. The workhouse is depicted as a harsh and unforgiving environment, where children are subjected to malnutrition, poor sanitation, and cruel treatment. Oliver's experience highlights the extreme poverty that many individuals endured during the Victorian era.
2. Child Exploitation: Poverty often leads to desperate measures, and in Oliver's case, he is sold into an apprenticeship with an undertaker. This apprenticeship turns out to be a form of exploitation, where Oliver is overworked and subjected to harsh treatment. The novel criticizes the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, especially children, who were often forced to work in dangerous or hazardous conditions.
3. The Workhouse System: Dickens uses the workhouse system to expose the flaws and failures of society in addressing poverty. The workhouses were meant to provide relief to the poor, but in reality, they often perpetuated a cycle of destitution. The novel's depiction of the dehumanizing conditions within the workhouse raises questions about the effectiveness of societal institutions in alleviating poverty.
4. Social Injustice: Poverty is closely tied to social injustice in the novel. The upper-class characters, such as Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Mann, are portrayed as indifferent to the plight of the poor. They represent the social hierarchies that perpetuate inequality and oppress those in poverty. Dickens condemns the callousness and hypocrisy of individuals who turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
5. Crime and Desperation: Poverty often leads to desperate actions, and in Oliver's case, it brings him into contact with a group of criminals. The Artful Dodger, Fagin, and their associates turn to crime as a means of survival. This highlights the link between poverty and criminal behavior, suggesting that societal failure to address economic inequality can have far-reaching consequences.
6. Redemption and Social Mobility: Despite the harsh realities of poverty, the novel also offers hope for redemption and social mobility. Through the characters of Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie, Dickens presents the possibility of kindness and compassion towards the poor. Oliver finds acceptance and support from these individuals, showcasing the potential for positive change and the power of human connection in overcoming poverty.
In conclusion, poverty is a pervasive and multifaceted theme in "Oliver Twist," serving as a backdrop for Oliver's struggles and a lens through which Dickens critiques the societal structures and attitudes that perpetuate inequality and injustice. The novel's exploration of poverty is a powerful indictment of the social ills of the Victorian era and a call for a more compassionate and equitable society.