Great Expectations and Oliver Twist

Great Expectations and Oliver Twist

During his lifetime, Charles Dickens is known to have written several books. Although

each book is different, they also share many similarities. Two of his books, Great

Expectations and Oliver Twist, are representatives of the many kinds of differences and

similarities found within his work..

Perhaps the reason why these two novels share some of the same qualities is because they

both reflect painful experiences which occurred in Dickens' past. During his childhood,

Charles Dickens suffered much abuse from his parents.1 This abuse is often expressed in

his novels. Pip, in Great Expectations, talked often about the abuse he received at the

hands of his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery. On one occasion he remarked, I soon found myself

getting heavily bumped from behind in the nape of the neck and the small of the back, and

having my face ignominously shoved against the wall, because I did not answer those

questions at sufficient length.2

While at the orphanage, Oliver from Oliver Twist also experienced a great amount of

abuse. For example, while suffering from starvation and malnutrition for a long period of

time, Oliver was chosen by the other boys at the orphanage to request more gruel at

dinner one night. After making this simple request, the master (at the orphanage) aimed a

blow at Oliver's head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arms; and shrieked aloud for

the beadle.3

The whole beginning of Oliver Twist's story was created from memories which related to

Charles Dickens' childhood in a blacking factory (which was overshadowed by the

Marshalsea Prison).4 While working in the blacking factory, Dickens suffered tremendous

humiliation. This humiliation is greatly expressed through Oliver's adventures at the

orphanage before he is sent away.

Throughout his lifetime, Dickens appeared to have acquired a fondness for the bleak, the

sordid, and the austere.5 Most of Oliver Twist, for example, takes place in London's

lowest slums.6 The city is described as a maze which involves a mystery of darkness,

anonymity, and peril.7 Many of the settings, such as the pickpocket's hideout, the

surrounding streets, and the bars, are also described as dark, gloomy, and bland.8

Meanwhile, in Great Expectations, Miss Havisham's house is often made to sound

depressing, old, and lonely. Many of the objects within the house had not been touched or

moved in many years. Cobwebs were clearly visible as well as an abundance of dust, and

even the wedding dress, which Miss Havisham constantly wore, had turned yellow with

age.9

However, similarities are not just found in the settings. The novels' two main

characters, Pip and Oliver, are also similar in many ways. Both young boys were orphaned

practically from birth; but where Pip is sent to live with and be abused by his sister,

Oliver is sent to live in an orphanage. Pip is a very curious young boy. He is a child of

intense and yearning fancy.10 Yet, Oliver is well spoken. Even while his life was in

danger while in the hands of Fagin and Bill Sikes, two conniving pickpockets, he refused

to participate in the stealing which he so greatly opposed. All Oliver really longed for

was to escape from harsh living conditions and evil surroundings which he had grown up

in.11 However, no matter how tempting the evil may have been, Oliver stood by his

beliefs.

Therefore, he can be referred to as ideal and incorruptible innocence.12 It is Oliver's

self-generated and self-sustained love, conferred it would seem from Heaven alone, that

preserves him from disaster and death.13 Unfortunately, many critics have found it hard

to believe that a boy such as Oliver Twist could remain so innocent, pure, and well

spoken given the long period of time in which he was surrounded by evil and

injustices.14

Pip, on the other hand, is a dreamer. His imagination is always helping him to create

situations to cover up for his hard times. For example, when questioned about his first

visit to Miss Havisham's house, he made up along elaborate story to make up for the

terrible time he had in reality. Instead of telling how he played cards all day while

being ridiculed and criticized by Estella and Miss Havisham, he claimed that they played

with flags and swords all day after having wine and cake on gold plates.15 However, one

special quality possessed by Pip that is rarely seen in a novel's hero is that he wrongs

others instead of being hurt himself all of the time.16

Another similarity between Oliver and Pip is that they both have had interactions with

convicts. Fagin the head of a group of young thieves, spends most of his time trying to

demoralize and corrupt Oliver and prevent him