Oliver Twist was written by Charles Dickens in the 1830's during the heart of the industrial revolution in England. It was written as a political statement against many of the government institutions in place at that time. During the industrial revolution there was a huge influx of people in to large cities and along with that many new social problems. A new middle class of people arose but along with that a very poor population that lived with in these cities. In order to deal with this large group of impoverished people the British government set up institution such as the poorhouses, workhouses, and many other places to house the people that could not make a living in the city. The irony of the entire situation was that these places were often harsher than living on the streets. Many people used them as a means of punishment to punish people for not working. So instead of extending a christian hand the people running these institutions were corrupt and took advantage of the people they professed to be helping.
Charles Dickens was writing out against this in Oliver Twist. He was protesting the inhumane enviroments maintained in them and showing how the poor people forced to go to such places were humans just like everyone else. He accomplishes most of this through his sarcasm. He points out the corruption in the system through his sarcastic portrayal of these bureaucratic officials. His description of the feeding of the boys in the orphanage is a n excellent portrayal of this in action.
"Sevenpence-halfpenny's worth per week is a good round diet for a child; a great deal may be got for sevenpence-halfpenny, quite enough to overload its stomach, and make it uncomfortable. The elderly female was a woman of wisdom and experience; she knew what was good for children; and she had a very accurate perception of what was good for herself. So, she appropriated the greater part of the weekly stipend to her own use, and consigned the rising parochial generation to even a shorter allowance than was originally provided for them. Thereby finding in the lowest depth a deeper still; and proving herself a very great experimental philosopher." (Oliver Twist, Ch. 2)
The rest of the book goes on in a similar writing style. He effectively uses sarcasm to make his point.
As I was reading it reminded me of one of my favorite comedian/news reporters, Stephen Colbert. He employs a similar style when he presents his opinions.
I am not trying to say that Colbert's motives are quite as noble, or that his purpose is as well defined as Dickens, it is merely a good example of how sarcasm is alive and well today.
