Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, A Novel

Amply Embedded with the Philosophy of

Historicism
1
Dr Syed Aamir Syeed
Assistant Professor [English]
Govt Degree College [Boys] Anantnag, J&K
2
Imran Ahmad Sheikh
Post-Graduate Scholar of English Literature
3
Saima Akhter
Post-Graduate Scholar of English Literature

Abstract
Historicism is a literary approach that analyzes a work of literature as
a product of its historical context, including cultural, social, political,
and economic factors that influenced its creation. This paper
explores the portrayal of Historicism in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist,
which was published in 1838, during the Victorian era in England, a
time of great social and economic change. The novel reflects the
author’s deep concern with the social issues of his time and the
historical events that shaped them. The essay provides examples
from the novel to support the analysis, including the portrayal of the
workhouse, the criminal underworld, child exploitation, and poverty
and social inequality. The methodologies used in this essay include
historical research, literary analysis, and close reading of the novel.
Keywords: Historicism, Historicism and the character of Mr Bumble
Introduction
In Charles Dickens' classic novel "Oliver Twist," the theme of
Historicism is brought to the forefront through the character of Mr
Bumble, the pompous and self-important beadle of the parish
workhouse where Oliver is first introduced.
Mr Bumble embodies the societal norms and values of the time
period in which the novel is set, providing insight into the historical
and cultural context of the story. As a representative of the
workhouse system, Bumble symbolizes the harsh realities of poverty
and the government's approach to managing the poor during the
19th century.
Throughout the novel, Mr Bumble's actions and attitudes are shaped
by his belief in the superiority of the upper classes and the inherent
inferiority of those in poverty. His language, which is often filled with
pompous phrases and self-important posturing, reveals the
arrogance and class consciousness that were prevalent during the
time.
By examining Mr Bumble's character and actions, readers can gain a
deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context in which
"Oliver Twist" was written. Through his interactions with other
characters and his role in the plot, Mr Bumble illustrates the ways in
which societal attitudes and beliefs shaped the lives of individuals
during this time period.
Historicism
Historicism is a literary approach that considers a work of literature
as a product of its historical context, including the cultural, social,
political, and economic factors that influenced its creation. The novel
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is a quintessential example of
Historicism in literature, as it reflects the author’s deep concern with
the social issues of his time and the historical events that shaped
them. In this essay, I will explore how Historicism is portrayed in
Oliver Twist and provide examples from the novel to support my
analysis.
Oliver Twist was published in 1838, during the Victorian era in
England, a time of great social and economic change. The Industrial
Revolution had transformed the country from an agricultural to an
industrial society, leading to widespread poverty, urbanization, and
social dislocation. Dickens was deeply influenced by these changes
and his own experience of poverty and hardship, which he had faced
during his childhood. As a result, he was a passionate advocate for
social justice, and his novels were a medium for him to expose the
injustices of his time and call for reform.
The novel Oliver Twist is a powerful critique of the social conditions
of Victorian England, particularly the poverty, exploitation, and
abuse suffered by the working-class people, and especially children.
The story revolves around the life of a young orphan boy named
Oliver Twist, who is born into poverty and spends his childhood in a
workhouse, a place where the poor were sent to work in exchange
for food and shelter. Oliver’s life is a reflection of the social
conditions of his time, and his struggles and experiences are shaped
by the historical context in which he lives.
The first example of Historicism in Oliver Twist is the portrayal of the
workhouse, which was a common institution in Victorian England.
The workhouse was a place where the poor were sent to work, and
they were often subjected to harsh conditions, such as long hours,
little food, and physical punishment. In the novel, Oliver is sent to
the workhouse at a young age, and he experiences the harsh realities
of life there. He is underfed, overworked, and constantly beaten by
the staff. The workhouse is portrayed as a place of misery and
suffering, where the poor are treated as criminals and are denied
their basic human rights.
Dickens’ portrayal of the workhouse is a reflection of the historical
context in which he lived. During the 1830s, the British government
passed the Poor Law Amendment Act, which aimed to reduce the
cost of caring for the poor. The act established workhouses as a
means of providing relief to the poor, but in reality, they were more
like prisons than places of care. Dickens used his novel to expose the
harsh reality of the workhouse and call for reform, which eventually
led to the abolition of the Poor Law in 1948.
Another example of Historicism in Oliver Twist is the portrayal of the
criminal underworld in Victorian England. The novel depicts a world
of crime and poverty, where the poor are forced to turn to a life of
crime in order to survive. The characters of Fagin, Bill Sikes, and
Nancy are all part of this criminal underworld, and they are
portrayed as victims of their circumstances. Fagin, the leader of the
gang, is a Jewish man who is shown to be exploiting children and
using them for criminal activities. Bill Sikes, a violent criminal, is also
a victim of his circumstances, as he is forced to commit crimes in
order to support himself and his girlfriend, Nancy.
The portrayal of the criminal underworld in Oliver Twist is a
reflection of the historical context of Victorian England. The rapid
social changes and economic pressures of the time had led to the
growth of poverty and crime, particularly in urban areas. Dickens
used his novel to expose the plight of the poor and call for social
reform, which eventually led to the creation of a more effective
policing system and the establishment of social welfare programs to
help the poor.
The theme of child exploitation is another example of Historicism in
Oliver Twist. In the novel, Oliver is exploited by Fagin and his gang,
who use him for pickpocketing and other criminal activities. He is
also subjected to physical and emotional abuse by Bill Sikes and
Nancy. The exploitation of children was a common practice in
Victorian England, particularly among the poor and the orphaned.
Many children were forced to work long hours in dangerous and
unhealthy conditions, while others were subjected to physical and
sexual abuse.
Dickens used his novel to shed light on the exploitation of children
and to call for social reform. He portrayed the characters of Fagin
and his gang as manipulative and heartless, who saw children as
nothing more than a means to an end. Oliver's character, on the
other hand, is innocent and pure, and his struggles and experiences
highlight the vulnerability of children in the face of exploitation and
abuse.
The theme of poverty and social inequality is perhaps the most
prominent example of Historicism in Oliver Twist. The novel portrays
a society where the rich and the poor live in separate worlds, and
where poverty is seen as a moral failing rather than a result of social
and economic factors. Oliver is born into poverty, and his life is a
constant struggle for survival. He is constantly subjected to the
prejudice and discrimination of the wealthy, who see him as a threat
to their own social status.
Dickens used his novel to expose the social inequalities of his time
and to call for social reform. He portrayed the wealthy characters in
his novel as heartless and insensitive, who were blind to the plight of
the poor. The character of Mr. Bumble, the beadle of the workhouse,
is a perfect example of this. He is portrayed as a pompous and cruel
man, who enjoys his position of power and has no compassion for
the poor.
Summing it up, Historicism is a prominent feature of the novel Oliver
Twist. Charles Dickens used his novel to shed light on the social
issues of his time and to call for social reform. The novel is a
reflection of the historical context in which it was written, and it
portrays the harsh realities of Victorian England, particularly the
poverty, exploitation, and abuse suffered by the working-class
people, and especially children. Through his characters and their
struggles, Dickens highlights the social inequalities of his time and
calls for a more just and equal society. Oliver Twist is not only a great
work of literature but also a powerful social commentary that has
influenced generations of readers and writers.
Historicism and the character of Mr Bumble
The character of Mr. Bumble in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist serves
as a representation of Historicism in the novel.In Oliver Twist,
Dickens uses Mr. Bumble's character to portray the historical context
of the time period in which the novel is set, the social and political
conditions of Victorian England, and the struggle for power and
control that existed among different classes in society.

Mr. Bumble is a prominent character in the novel, serving as the

beadle of the parish where Oliver is born and raised. He is portrayed
as a man of authority, often using his position of power to assert his
dominance over others, especially the poor and vulnerable. His
character is described as a combination of arrogance, hypocrisy, and
cruelty, which makes him an excellent representation of the
historical context of Victorian England.

One of the key themes of Historicism in Oliver Twist is the social and
political conditions of Victorian England. During the Victorian era,
England was undergoing significant changes, both socially and
economically. The Industrial Revolution had brought about massive
changes in the way people lived and worked, with many people
leaving the countryside for the cities to work in factories. This led to
the growth of urban centers, which were often overcrowded,
unsanitary, and rife with poverty and disease.

Mr. Bumble's character embodies the social and political conditions

of the time period, particularly the treatment of the poor and
vulnerable in society. As the beadle of the parish, he is responsible
for overseeing the workhouse, where the poor and destitute are sent
to live and work in exchange for food and shelter. However, the
workhouse is portrayed as a cruel and harsh place, where inmates
are treated as little more than slaves, forced to work long hours in
terrible conditions and punished severely for any infraction.
Mr. Bumble's treatment of the inmates is particularly brutal,
highlighting the power dynamic between those in authority and
those without. He is shown to be callous and indifferent to the
suffering of the poor, often subjecting them to cruel punishments for
minor offenses. For example, when Oliver asks for more food, Mr.
Bumble reacts with anger and outrage, calling for the boy to be
punished severely for his impertinence. This scene highlights the
harsh and unfeeling treatment of the poor in Victorian England,
where those in authority had little regard for the well-being of those
under their control.

Another aspect of Historicism that Mr. Bumble's character

represents is the struggle for power and control among different
classes in society. During the Victorian era, there was a clear
hierarchy of social classes, with the aristocracy and upper classes
enjoying privileges and power that were denied to the lower classes.
This led to a struggle for power and control between different
classes, as the lower classes fought for greater rights and
opportunities.

Mr. Bumble's character embodies this struggle for power and

control, particularly in his interactions with Oliver and the other
inmates of the workhouse. He is shown to be authoritarian and
domineering, using his position of power to control and intimidate
those under his authority. However, he is also insecure and fearful of
losing his power, which leads him to be paranoid and suspicious of
those around him.

This is particularly evident in his interactions with Oliver, whom he

sees as a threat to his authority. When Oliver asks for more food, Mr.
Bumble reacts with anger and outrage, calling for the boy to be
punished severely for his impertinence. This scene highlights the
power dynamic between those in authority and those without, as
Mr. Bumble uses his position of power tointimidate and control
Oliver, despite the fact that the boy is a helpless and vulnerable
orphan.

Similarly, Mr. Bumble's treatment of the other inmates in the

workhouse also highlights the struggle for power and control among
different classes. He is shown to be callous and indifferent to their
suffering, often subjecting them to cruel punishments for minor
offenses. This demonstrates the power dynamic between those in
authority and those without, as the inmates are powerless to resist
the cruel treatment they receive at the hands of those in power.

Moreover, Mr. Bumble's character also highlights the hypocrisy and

corruption that existed in Victorian society. During this time period,
there was a great deal of corruption and abuse of power, particularly
among those in authority. This led to widespread dissatisfaction
among the lower classes, who saw the hypocrisy and injustice of the
system.

Mr. Bumble's character embodies this hypocrisy and corruption,

particularly in his interactions with the workhouse inmates. He is
shown to be self-serving and dishonest, often using his position of
power to further his own interests. For example, when Oliver is
offered as an apprentice to a local undertaker, Mr. Bumble
negotiates a fee for himself, demonstrating his willingness to profit
from the suffering of others.

Similarly, Mr. Bumble's treatment of the workhouse inmates is

hypocritical, as he claims to be acting in their best interests, while
actually exploiting them for his own gain. This is demonstrated when
he suggests that Oliver be sent to the undertaker as an apprentice,
despite the fact that this will likely result in further suffering for the
boy.

Summing it up , Mr. Bumble's character in Oliver Twist serves as a

representation of Historicism, highlighting the social and political
conditions of Victorian England, the struggle for power and control
among different classes in society, and the hypocrisy and corruption
that existed in the system. By portraying Mr. Bumble as a cruel and
callous authority figure, Dickens exposes the injustices of the time
period, and highlights the need for reform and change. Through his
character, Dickens shows how those in authority can abuse their
power, and how the lower classes can be exploited and mistreated.
Ultimately, Mr. Bumble's character serves as a powerful reminder of
the need for social justice, and the importance of fighting against
oppression and injustice in all its forms.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist" is a prime
example of Historicism, as it reflects the social, economic, and
political realities of 19th century Victorian England. Mr. Bumble, the
parish beadle, is a character who embodies this theme through his
position of power and his adherence to the rigid social hierarchy of
the time. Bumble's actions and attitudes, such as his treatment of
Oliver and his insistence on maintaining the status quo, serve as a
commentary on the inequalities and injustices prevalent in the
society of the time.
Through the character of Mr. Bumble, Dickens highlights the abuses
of power and the class divisions that characterized Victorian England.
Bumble's portrayal serves as a reminder that history is not just a
collection of facts, but a living legacy that shapes our present reality.
As we continue to grapple with issues of social justice and inequality
in our own time, Dickens' portrayal of Bumble and his world can
provide valuable insight and perspective.
Overall, "Oliver Twist" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate
with readers today. Through its vivid characters, engaging plot, and
powerful themes, the novel offers a compelling portrayal of the
realities of life in 19th century England, while also speaking to larger
issues of human nature and morality.

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