Critique of the Poor Law

Traces the novel's indictment of the 1834 Poor Law and its cruel treatment of the poor.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Workhouse System

The Workhouse System The Board's Philosophy The board believes in making poverty so unpleasant that the poor will avoid it. They institute a diet of thin gruel. The Starvation Oliver and the other boys suffer slow starvation. The system is designed to break their spirits. The Alternative The board offers the poor a choice: starve slowly in the workhouse or quickly outside. It is a cruel policy.

The Parish Apprenticeship

The Parish Apprenticeship The Commodification of Children Oliver is apprenticed to Sowerberry, a trade that exploits child labor. The system treats children as commodities. The Near Miss with Gamfield Oliver almost becomes a chimney sweep, a dangerous and deadly trade. The magistrate saves him by chance. The Undertaker's Shop Oliver works in a grim environment, surrounded by death. The system offers no escape.

The Beadle's Authority

The Beadle's Authority Bumble's Pomposity Mr. Bumble represents the petty tyranny of the parish system. He is arrogant and cruel. The Abuse of Power Bumble uses his position to bully the poor. He is a symbol of the system's injustice. The Fall Bumble eventually becomes a pauper himself. The system that elevated him also destroys him.

The Alternative Vision

The Alternative Vision Brownlow's Benevolence Mr. Brownlow represents a kinder, more just approach. He helps Oliver without expecting anything in return. The Maylies' Compassion The Maylies rescue Oliver and treat him as family. Their love contrasts with the workhouse's coldness. The Moral The novel suggests that individual kindness, not institutional reform, is the answer to poverty.

Early in the story

After Oliver asks for more

Throughout the early story

Throughout the story