Social Reform In Charles Dicke Essay -- essays research papers

Social Reform in Dickens   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Oliver Twist and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, both main characters refuse to except the poor hand the world has dealt them. Pip and Oliver reach a great epiphany in regards to social injustice, and in turn rebel against the system that oppresses them. They are tired of being mistreated and neglected, and thusly decide to make a stand. Charles Dickens exhibits to us through Oliver and Pip that the revolt of the weak against the strong results from the oppression of the rich caste. As a result of their revolt against the system, Pip and Oliver are ostracized for their non-conformist ideals. Thus change in an oppressing and conformist society can only be achieved through change in moral, social, and political instincts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In both novels the main character faces abuse and neglect which result in rebellion and distancing of them from the society which chooses to hold them down. In Oliver Twist, Oliver receives a great amount of abuse through the orphanage. While suffering from starvation and malnutrition for a long period of time, Oliver is chosen by the other boys at the orphanage to request more gruel at dinner. After making this simple request, 'the master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with a ladle; pinioned him in his arms; and shrieked aloud for the beadle'; (16, ch. 2). This pain and neglect caused a change in Oliver. He realized that he must rebel against the society that wis...