Charles Dickens Oliver Twist or Hard Times

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OPPRESSION REFLECTED IN CHARLES DICKENS’ OLIVER

TWIST NOVEL (1837): A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

PUBLICATION ARTICLE

Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement


for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education in English Department

By:

SRI JUMIATI
A320110035

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH EDUCATION


SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION MUHAMMADIYAH
UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
2015
OPPRESSION REFLECTED IN CHARLES DICKENS’ OLIVER TWIST NOVEL
(1837): A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

Sri Jumiati
Dewi Candraningrum
Titis Setyabudi

ABSTRACT

SRI JUMIATI. 320110035. OPPRESSION REFLECTED IN CHARLES


DICKENS’ OLIVER TWIST NOVEL (1837): A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH.
RESEARCH PAPER. SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA. 2015.

The major problem in this research is to reveal the existance of oppression in


England as reflected in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist Novel. The research analyses
Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist novel in a term of structural elements and analysis the
England society during industrial revolution in the late of nineteenth century based on
sociological perspective. In analysing the novel, the reseacher uses qualitative method.
The data are divided into two kinds data, namely primary data and secondary data. The
primary data sources is the novel entitled Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens which is
published in 1837. And the secondary data is the sources which is related to the issue
taken by reseacher, such as the book of the theory namely sociological approach and
other resources about England society during industrial revolution in the late of
ninetenth century. The method of getting data is library research. However the
descriptive analysis is the technique of data analysis. The outcome of the study draws
the following conclusions. Firstly, based on the structural analysis of the novel, it is
created based on the social phenomena in England during industrial revolution in the
late ninetenth century. Secondly, Charles Dickens critizes the social condition inside the
country which reveal the social injustice such as oppression which is divided into five
parts, namely exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism and
the last is violence. It also reveals the needs of goverment to create justice in order to
create peace and save childern.

Keywords: Oliver Twist, Oppression, England History, Sociological Approach.


A. INTRODUCTION
1. Background of The Study
People as human being cannot be saperated one another, so that is way they
are living together in a society. in order to create peace, people create their
agreement for making role. However, the role which is created by some people in a
small society itself is not always succesful to resolve the social problem. In
complexity, human life is built and influenced by some factors, such as religion,
economy, politics, and family that simultaneously form social structure (Faruk,
1994). Those kinds of problem create the effect, and oppression is the commonest
effect of unbalancing social condition.
“According Laurenso and Swingewood literature too pre-eminently concerned
with man’s social world, his adaptation to it and his desire to change it. Thus
novel as the major literary genre of industrial society can be seen as faithful
attempt to recreate social world of man’s relation with his family, with politics,
with the state” (Laurenso and Swingewood, 1972:12).

England in ninetenth century had a horrible history. According to Hoaglind


Industrial Revolution gave many impacts for society such as high unemployement,
rapid urbanization and criminal action at that time (Hoaglind, 1960:203). Regarding
with the issue of oppression which is coming up in a society, Oliver Twist Novel by
Charles Dickens which is published in 1873 is the novel chosen by reseacher. The
novelist from England who was born on Febuary 7th, 1870 in Landport,
Hampshire, England was the populer writer and social critic in that era.
A childern namely Oliver was the major character of this novel. The novel
is started by the birth of the infant who had no father. Then dickens presents the
antagonish novel namley Mr. Bumble, the selfish one, and Fagin’s gang as the
master of crime. the food made Oliver grew into a skinny kid. Finally Oliver tried
to ask it. Unfortunately it brings him to get the punishment, Oliver was prisoned
and called him as insurgant. In the next day the council announced that anyone who
wanted to take Oliver they would be given five pound (Dickens, 1837:85). By
knowing nothing about London, Oliver run away to London for more seven days by
walking.
The complication was began. By meeting Fagin, the master of crime, Oliver
is becoming part of them smoothly. Dickens perfectly presented that new problem
had arised. Fagin abducted that orphan boy and force him to robber Mr.
Brownlow’s house. Nancy, the girls who lives with cruel man, Fagin and Sikes, tell
everything about Oliver to Mr. Brownlow. By giving the information to Mr.
Brownlow, Nancy was killed by Sikes. Sikes was died in an accident and Fagin was
arrested and sentenced by hung penalty.
Oliver Twist describes how social condition force the major character did
the horrible life. So there are some reasons why the reseacher is interested to
analyze this novel. Firstly, this novel describes the struggle of poor orphan childern
who lived in a workhouse in the society by passing oppression. Secondly, the
unbalacing condition that made a childern and poor people had never gotten their
right as childern or even feeling happiness. Oliver Twist novel guides the reseacher
to know deeper about the kind of oppression in England. So, resecher would like to
analyze it by using Sociological Approach entitled Oppression Reflected in
Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist Novel (1837) : A Sociological Approach.
2. Literature Review
First research entitled Childern Abuse in Oliver Twist : A Genetic
Stucturalism was conducted by Evi Nurhidayati. This study focused in the
childern abuse as potrayed in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Second research
was conducted by Rulik Wahyuwinati entitled Class Struggle of Charles
Dickens’ Oliver Twist A Marxist Analisys. This study focused on the social
classes condition and thier struggling in a society in order for getting their right.
Thrid research used the structural analysis entitled Comparison Between the
Novel and Movie Version of Charles Dickens; Oliver Twist, A Structural
Analysis was presented by Renty Ika wahyuni, the student of Muhammadiyah
University of Surakarta. This study was focused in the differences between the
novel version and movie version of Charles Dickens’ work especially the novel
entitled Oliver Twist. Fourth was presented by Renitasari Oktaviastuti, the
student of Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, entitled Poverty in Charles
Dickens’ Oliver Twist : A Sociological Approach. This study was focused in the
poverty in England society in early nineteenth century which called Victoria era.
Unstandart life in England after the excisting of Industrial Revolution was the
major discussion of this research. This study also explained the poverty which
created the crime and unbalance situation. Fifth research was conducted by
Sugija as the lecturer in Surakarta University entitled Analisis Tense dan Aspek
dalam Novel Oliver Twist Karya Charles Dickens. The outcomes of this
research was describing of using “tense” and “aspek” in Oliver Twist by Charles
Dickens. Sixth research was conducted by Muntamah as the student of State
Islamic Studies Institute ( STAIN), Salatiga entiltled An Alaysis of Moral Values
As Seen on Charles Dickens’ Novel Oliver Twist. Moral value implied in Charles
Dickens’ Novel was the main issue of the study. The result of the study is the
moral value which involve bravey, humblesness, honesty, steadfastness,
sympathetic to others, cooperativeness, thankfulness, kind-herated,
trustworthines, sincerity, love and affection. Seventh research entitled an
Analysis of Intrisic Elements in Charles Dickens Oliver Twist was conducted by
Handayani. This study was focused in the analyzing the intrisic elements as
presented in the Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist Novel. Eigth research was
conducted by Li-shu Chang Chien, as the student of applied English, Yuanpei
University, China in 2012 entitled Dickens’ Orphans as Figures for Justice. The
outcomes of this research is demonstrating the neglecting and abused child.
Childern who did not get fully of their right was the main issue discussed in this
reasearch.
3. Underlying Theory
a. Sociology of Literature
Sociology is essentially the science, objective study of man in society,
the study of social institutions and of social processes; it seeks to answer the
question of how society is possible, how it works, why it persists (Swingewood,
1972: 11). The word sociology was taken from the Greek “socius” or “society”
means society, and “logos” means science. So sociology means science or study
about society (Saraswati, 2003: 2). Literature is created based on the social
condition of society, and sociology as a science that studies the real life
(Laurenson and Swingewood, 1972: 12). Sociology studies the real life of the
human beings in relation to their social, whereas literature is created based on
phenomena as social life, as Swingewood (1972:12) states:
“As which sociology, literature is pre-eminently concerned with man’s
social word, his adoption to it, and his desire to change it. Thus the
novel, as the major literary genre of industrial society, can be seen as a
faithful attempt to recreate the social world of man’s relation with his
family and otherinstitutions, the conflict and tension between groups
and social classes”.

Type of sociology can be divided into three. First, is Sociology of the


Author. Lauren and Swingewood believe that in writing a story, an author is
always inspired by the happening in his society” (Laurence and Swingewood,
1972:7). Second is Sociology of the society. Sociology of the society is the study
about the influence of the society and social condition in which particular
literature work appears (Laurenson and Swingewood, 1972:18). So that the
society cannot be sapperated from litarature. Third is the sociology of the reader.
Sociology of the reader attemtpts to trace the ways in which a work of litarature
is actually recieved by a particular society at a spesific historical moments
(Laurenson and Swingewood, 1972: 21).
b. Oppression
In 2006, Morton Deutsch stated that oppression is the experience of
repeated, widespread systemic injustice (Deutsch, 2006:10). Irish Marrion
Young, in his Book entitled Justice and The Politics Defferences believed that
structural oppression involves relations among groups, these relations do not
always fit the paradigm of concious and the intentional appression of one group
by another (Young, 1990:39). Irish Marion Young stated that there are five
forms of oppression. First is exploitation. Young believes that the injustice of
exploitation consists in social processes that bring about a transfer of energies
from one group to another to produce unequal distributions, and in the way in
which social institutions enable a few to accumulate while they constrain many
more (Young, 1990:49). Second is marginalization. Marginals are people the
system of labor cannot or will not use (Young, 1990:49). The material
deprivation marginalization often causes is certainly unjust, especially in a
society where others have plenty (Young, 1990:49). Third is powerlessness.
The powerless status is perhaps best described negatively, the powerless lack
the authority, status and sense of self that professionals tend to have (Young,
1990:50). Fourth is cultural Imperialism. Cultural imperialism involves the
universalization of dominant group’s experience and culture, and it’s
establishment as the norm (Young, 1990:54). Cultural imperialism that the
oppressed group’s own experience and interpretation of social life finds little
expression that touches the dominant culture, while that same culture imposes
on the oppressed group its experience and interpretation of social life (Young,
1990:56). The last is violence. Iris Young stated that member of some groups
live with the knowladge that they must fear random, unpropvoked attacks on
their persons or property, which has no motive but to damage, humiliate, or
destroy the person (Young, 1992:37).
B. Research Method
The research belongs to descriptive qualitative research which is
conducted to interpter the findings. Object of the study is the novel entitled
Oliver Twist. The data are divided into two, the first is the novel itself and
Laurenso and swingewood’s theory, Young’s theory and any other book related
with the issue.
C. Discussion
1. The Structural Elements of The Novel
Oliver Twist novel was written in 1837 by Charles Dickens. Charles
Dickens presents the orphan child namely Oliver Twist, Bill Sikes, Fagin,
Monks, Rose Maylie, Nancy and Mr. Brownlow as the major character. The
minor character are Mr. Bumble, Mr. Sowerberry, Mrs. Sowerberry, Sally
Thingummy, Mrs. Mann, Agnes Fleming, The Bookseller, Mrs. Bedwin, Bull’s
Eye, Mr. Grimwig, Barney, Mr. Giles, Mrs. Corney, Tom Chitling, Brittles,
Mrs. Maylie, Harry Maylie, Betsy, Mr. Fang, Jack Dawkins, Little Dick,
Charlotte, and Mr. Gamfield.
The author also uses the literary elements namely theme. The theme
deals with the issue that is taken by the reseacher is “Oppression creates
crimes”. In creating the social setting of England, Dickens provides the
oppression happens everywhere.
The author uses non-participant point of view. It means that Dickens is
not involved in the story. It is because of Dickens acts as the third person that
knows everything about all such as characterization and all their nature, and
plot of the story.
Dickens is very selective in using words because this novel belongs part
of history of the great country. The author uses the gramatical sentences in a
form of standart and non-standart gramatical structure. But most of his
narration are standart gramatical stucture. The other form is that direct and
indirect speech.
The story begins when poor woman gave the birth of a handsome
child Oliver Twist. The complication is divided into two conflict namely
internal conflict. Internal conflict begins when Oliver had an idea to run
away from Mr. Sowerberry house, a cruel man. Although Oliver does not
know where he should go. Second is external conflict. It comes when Oliver
lived with Mrs. Mann. Oliver is nine-years Old, the day when Oliver was in
half-baptized, but Mrs. Mann lets him in hunger. the second is coming from
workhouse. Oliver asks for more gruel, unfortunately it sends him to the
cruel undertaker. Then climax is most important. The climax of this story is
started when Fagin exactly knew that Oliver lived in Mr. Brownlow’s house.
Oliver is abducted by Bill Sikes and brought in Fagin’s house. Fagin and his
gang plan to commit the rubbering in Mr. Brownlow’s house. The last is
resolution. Nancy replaces her life in order to resolve the problem by saving
Oliver from the cruelity of Fagin and his gang.
In Oliver Twist, another stuctural elements namely figurative language
is also used. Figurative language can be found in a form of personification and
hyperbola.
In conclusion, making them into unity in order to build the great story.
In order to be independent people need so many sacrifice for it.
2. Sociological Analysis
a. Social Aspect
The effect of industrial revolution can be seen in the social aspect, for
instance, social condition in a form of social status gives the important role when
people live in a society. It is compatible with the exsistence the social status as
the effect of industrial revolution. Some of the upper class are the owner of the
indutry. As Dickens presented in the Oliver Twist novel, Mr. Brownlow is
identified as upper class. It can be seen on the statement below :
“The old gentlement was a very respectable-looking person-age, with a
powdered head and gold spectacles. He was dressed in a bottle green caot
with a black velvet collar, wore white trousers, and carried a smart
bamboo cane under his arm” (Dickens, 1837:66).
“... stopped at length before a neat house, in a quiet shady street near
Pentonville” (Dickens, 1837:76).

On the contrary, Fagin and his gang are becoming the working class.
In order to defend their life, those people are doing crime in a form of picking
pocket. Bites, Jack Dawkins and other childern are participated in crime in
order to avoid the death in hunger.
“Oliver Twist was an companions suffered the tortures of slow starvation
for three months, at last they got so voracious and wild with hunger, that
one boy, who was tall for his age, and hadn’t been used to that sort of
thing (for his father had kept a small cook-shop), hinted darkly to his
companions, that unless he had another basin of gruel per diem, he was
affraid he might some night happen to eat the boy who slept next him ...
(Dickens, 1837: 14).

Dickens presents the other nonstandart living of woman in a form of


prostitution. In Oliver Twist novel, the minor character namely Nancy and
Betsy become the prostitute that the payment is not totally macth with all her
sacrifice.
1. Economic Aspect
Dickens presents the economic problem in a form of too much poverty
inside that country. for example, after creating new poor law in 1834, childern
must work in workhouse. They would not receive the equal wages. This era is
becoming the most economic problem which is felt by Parrish society.
‘It was a very dirty place. The rooms up stairs had great high
woodenchimney-pieces and large doors, with paneled walls and cornices
to theceilings…. Spiders had built their webs in the angles of the walls
andceilings; and sometimes, when Oliver walked softly into a room,
themice would scamper across the floor, and run back terrified to
theirholes” (Dickens, 1837: 128).
Bleak, dark, and piercing cold, it was a night for well-housed and fed to
draw round the bright fire and thanks God they were at home, and for the
homeless, starving wretch to lay him down and die (Dickens, 1837: 165).
The poverty covers almost the whole of the city. The condition of
housing is totally under standart.
“The kennel was stagnant and filthly. The very rats, which were here and
there lay putrefying in its rottenness, were hideous with famine (Dickens,
1837: 128).

Almost all middle and working class live in unhealthy enviorement.


People could not get the better place and it would be never. It is triggered by the
enermous problem such as unemployment, poverty, and even crime.
2. Political Aspect
The regulation for ten hours per day for childern in doing work has been
declared. Most of people disagree about that regulation, but those starving could
not be changed.
‘…Oliver should be “farmed”, or, in other words, that he should
bespatched to a branch-workhouse some three miles off, where twenty
orthirty other juvenile offenders against the poor laws, rolled about
floorall day, without the inconvenience of too much food or too
muchclothing…’ ! (Dickens, 1837: 4)

‘…Hurried away to a large ward: where, on a rough, hard bed, hesobbed


himself to sleep. What a noble illustration of the tender laws ofEngland!
They let the paupers go to sleep! (Dickens, 1837:10).

‘He was badged and ticketed, and fell into his place at once—a
parishchild—the orphan of workhouse—the humble, half-starved
drudge—despised by all, and pitied by none’ (Dickens, 1837: 3).

Althought the poor people work hard, but they would not get the equal
salary. The owner of authority covertly corrupts that.
‘…To the workhouse, they found out at once, what ordinary folks
wouldnever have discovered—the poor people liked it! It was a regular
placeof public entertainment for the poorer classes; a tavern where there
wasnothing to pay; a public breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper all the
yearround; a brick and mortar elysium, where it was all play and no
work.’ (Dickens, 1837: 11)

The workhouse is created by Goverment in order to reduce the social


problem, but the fact is not. Dikcens presents how pity the workhouse is. By
having small portion of food, poor people exaclty send to the death.
‘Then came night—dark, dismal, silent night. Other watchers are to
hearthe church-clocks strike, for they tell of life and coming day. To
himthey brought despair. The boom of every iron bell came laden with
theone, deep, hollow sound—Death.’ (Dickens, 1837: 402). ‘Saturday
night. He had only one night more to live. And as he thoughtof this, the
day broke—Sunday’ (Dickens, 1837: 402).

Meanwhile, the death punishment is the exsecution created by the


goverment in order to reduce the criminality in England. For more clear, Dicken
shows for the reader about the death penalty which is given by Fagin. He is
sentenced by hung.
3. Religious Aspect
Protestant becomes the majority of religion which is believed by England
society.
“That’s not the point”, said the doctor misteriously, Mr. Giles, are you a
protestant?’
“yes, sir. I hope so” flaterred Mr. Giles who had turned very pale.”
And what are YOU, boy?” said the doctor, turning sharplu upon Brittles”.
“Lord bless me, sir!”’ replied Brittles. Starting violently, I’m the same as
Mr. Giles, sir!” ” (Dickens, 1837:341).

Then tell me this, said the doctor, both of you! Both of you! Are you
going to take upon yourselves to swear that that boy upstairs is the boy
that was put through the little window last night! ” (Dickens, 1837:341).

On the contrary, poor people have no Sunday clothes to go to church.


Poor man never has enough time to be a good man, because their whole time is
used for getting money to live.
“It would have been very like a Christian, and a marvellously good
Christian too, if Oliver had prayed for the people who fed him and took
care of him. But he hadn’t, because nobody had taught him” (Dickens,
1837:12).

In conclusion, the existence of religion has no meaning for the poor


people, because those poeple have known nothing about how to live in
protestant faith.
4. Cultural Aspect
Becoming the selfish and materialism are the effect of the harshness in
the enviorement. In Oliver Twist novel, we can find Mrs. Mann, the old woman
which actually should take care of childern, but she does not. She exactly
knows that the childern are in hunger, but she lets it and pretends that the
childern are allright. Mrs. Mann corrupts the money that actually that fund is to
fullfill the childern need.
“the eldery female was a woman of wisdom and experience, she knew
what was good for childern, and she had a very accurate perception of
what was good for helrself. 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 (Dickens, 1837:6).

It can be concluded that Mrs. Mann is the selfish woman, without giving
any care to the childern, although the childern are going died in hunger.
“this was no very great consolation to the child. Young as he was,
however, he had sense enough to make a freint of feeling great regret at
going away. It was no very difficult matter for the boy to call tears into
his eyes. Hunger and recent ill-usage are ggreat assistances if you want to
cry, and Oliver cried very naturally indeed“ (Dickens, 1837:14).
“He should seem too hungry when he got to workhouse. With the slice of
bread in his hand, and the little brown-cloth parish cap on his head
(Dickens, 1837:14).

The narration above shows to the reader that how hunger and poor cloth
are covered Oliver in Parrish. He seems too hunger to go to workhouse with
Mr. Bumble. Afterwards, other selfish is coming from London as reflected in
Oliver Twist novel. After Sikes killed Nancy, Fagin hates Sikes, because
actually Nancy can provide money for Fagin. In his selfish, Fagin always wants
to be the owner of everything include authorized the childern. But in that fact,
mostly Nancy is controlled by Sikes.
‘On Rose, sweet, gentle girl! My heart is set, as firmly as ever heart
ofman was set on woman. I have no thought, no view, no hope in
life,beyond her; and if you oppose me in this great stake, you take my
peaceand happiness in your hands, and cast them to the wind. Mother,
thinkbetter of this, and of me, and do not disregard the happiness of
which you seem to think so little” (Dickens, 1837: 248)

Rich people would marry with the people in the same classes. But in the
Oliver Twist novel, Dikens presents the opponent. The intermarriage between
Marry and Harry would become the example of the intermarriage.
5. Science And Technology
In Oliver Twist novel, Dickens mostly reveals the social problem in
England. Although some event draw the use of technology, but that is not too
much. For example, when Oliver is asked by Harry to write a message. In that
day, Harry would leave London and he asks Oliver to address that letter to
General office (Dickens, 1837:262).
The other product of technology is that when Oliver started his life as
labor. The use of coal cellar is revelad in Oliver Twist novel.
“So, you will begin to pick oakum tomorrow morning at six o’clock,
added the surly one in the white waistcoat ” (Dickens, 1837: 12).
“... and he was keeping it in the coal-cellar with a select party ” (Dickens,
1837: 5)

Young Oliver Twist becomes the picker oakum with all childern in a
workhouse. The result of the childern work would be sold to the ship-builders.
3. Oppression Analysis
a. Exploitation
The first exploitation is clearly presented by Dickens in the
beginning of the story. Covering by poverty, Oliver starts his life in a infarm
house with the cruel old woman. Afterwards, Mrs. Mann, the old woman
covertly corrupts the costs which is provided to that child by pretending that
all are going to be normal.
“... that oliver should be farmed or in other words, that he should
dispathced to a branch-workhouse some three miles-off, where twenty or
thirty other juvenile offeders againts the poor-laws, rolled about the floor
all day, without inconvenience of too much food or too much clooting,
under the parental superintendence of an eldery female, who recieved the
culprits at and for the consideration of seven pence-halfpenny per small
head per week (Dickens, 1837:4).

The childern must work by having very low wages and of course
their living without proper clotes and food. The second form of exploitation
is coming from Fagin. He takes care of the unlucky childern, he feeds them
kindly. Afterwards the childern must do all the Fagin’s command.
“Going to London? Said the strange boy, when Oliver had at length
concluded.
“Yes”.
“Got any Lodgings?”
“No”.
“Money?”
“No”.(Dickens, 1837:55).
Dickens depicts how pity Oliver Twist is. Homeless and hunger
become part of his now.
‘...I suppose you want some some place to sleep in tonight, don’t you?”
“I do. Indeed, answered Oliver “ I have not slept under roof since I left
the country” (Dickens, 1837:55).
“I’ve got to be in London tonight, and I know a’ specable old gentelmen
as lives there, won’ll give you lodgings for nothink, and never ask for the
change, that is, is any genelmen, he knows interduces you”” (Dickens,
1837:54).
“offering you something for nothing and never ask change ” (Dickens,
1837:54).

Oliver has nothing to defend his life. So, after Fagin lets him to
stay in his incredible house, unconsiously Oliver is becoming the part of
the master crime.
“it is my living, and the cold,wet, dirty street are my home, and you’re
the wretch that drove me to them long long ago, and that I’ll keep me
there, day and night, day and night,, till I die!” (Dickens, 1837:116).

Fagin creates a good image in order to steal the childern’s heart, then
all he has done seems that he is really kind man by helping them who are
homeless and powerless. But it would be harsh in the end. Fagin destroys
the youth age of childern. Putting them into crime and sending the girl
namely Nancy and Betsy in evil of prostitution.
b. Marginalization
In Oliver Twist novel, Dicken has been presenting the form
marginalization, when young Oliver Twist was born from poor family
which has no father. Even he is authorized by other people.
‘…Oliver should be “farmed”, or, in other words, that he should
bespatched to a branch-workhouse some three miles off, where twenty
orthirty other juvenile offenders against the poor laws, rolled about
floorall day, without the inconvenience of too much food or too
muchclothing…’ ! (Dickens, 1837: 4).

By declaring new regulation to the society that ten hours for childern
to work and the unequal wages are the prove that those people have been
marginalized. Even they are recognized as the citizen but the fact that they
have no right. It seems that they are not part of the society. all of the
working class also feel the same thing. Their existance and their affliction
seems never be seen by the goverment. They are people who live in the
society but the fact is that they do not belong in it.
c. Powerlessness
The first powerlessness in Oliver Twist is the moment when Oliver
would be sent in Mr. Sowerberry, a dreadful man. Because there is no
power on him, so Oliver Twist must follow and obey this horrible decission.
Oliver’s unwillingness can be found in this statement:
“Oliver fell on knees, and clasping his hands together, prayed that they
would order him back to the dark room- that they would strave him-beat
him-kill him if they pleased-rather than send him away with that dreadful
man” (Dickens, 1837:22).

Before those childern are being exploited by the master of crime,


they experience the powerlessness, so that is why they could not make any
decision at all.
d. Cultural Imperialism
In Oliver Twist novel, Dickens could not mention clearly the form of
cultural imperialism which is done by some community. However, after
exsiting of industrial revolution, the way of life of England society has
changed. for example they are being selfish.
“the eldery female was a woman of wisdom and experience, she knew
what was good for childern, and she had a very accurate perception of
what was good for helrself. 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 (Dickens, 1837:6).

Those who are having skill could be worked, but they have small
wages. In the other hand, human definitely need food and place to live.
However, poverty spreads inside the society quickly. some woman are
becoming the prostitute. “She is honour by her sex” (Dickens, 1837:46).
Dickens presents Nancy and Betsy as the prostitute. In order to defend their
life, they would do anything to avoid hunger and death. Injustice,
unemployment, poverty, creating new law, crime and changing of attitude
are the most serious problem that definitely bring the society into a
affliction or even death.
e. Violence
Firstly, it is coming Noah. Humilitaion of Oliver’s mother makes
Oliver does a horrible action by hiting Noah.
“Crimson with fury, Oliver start-up overthrew the chair and table,
seized Noah by the throat, shook him in the violence of his rage,
till his teeth chatered in his head, and collecting his whole force
into one heavy blow, felled him to the ground” (Dickens, 1837:43).

“He’ll murder me!” Blubered noah. (Dickens, 1837:57).

Secondly, when Fagin threated Oliver by putting the knife in


front of Oliver’s face and saying rudely.
“He trembled very much though, for even in his terror, Oliver
could see that the knife quivered in the air” (Dickens, 1837:60-61)”
“what have you seen? Speak out, boy? Qiuck! Quick ! for your
life” (Dickens, 1837:61).
“You SHALL have time tothink, and save yourself this crime; I
will not loose my hold,you cannot throw me off. Bill, Bill, for dear
God’s sake, foryour own, for mine, stop before you spill my blood!
I havebeen true to you, upon my guilty soul I have!’ ” (Dickens,
1837:560)”
The man struggled violently, to release his arms; butthose of the
girl were clasped round his, and tear her as hewould, he could not
tear them away ” (Dickens, 1837:561).

In the middle of the night, Sikes goes to Nancy and he is so


angry. Nancy tries to explain smoothly, but Sikes could not control his
emotion. Nancy is killed by him.
“She staggered and fell: nearly blinded with the blood thatrained
down from a deep gash in her forehead; but raisingherself, with
difficulty, on her knees, drew from her bosoma white
handkerchief—Rose Maylie’s own—and holding itup, in her
folded hands, as high towards Heaven as her feeblestrength would
allow, breathed one prayer for mercy to her Maker ” (Dickens,
1837:561).

“It was a ghastly figure to look upon. The murderer


staggeringbackward to the wall, and shutting out the sight withhis
hand, seized a heavy club and struck her down ” (Dickens,
1837:561).

1) Indirect Violence
Indirect violence can be found when Noah humiliate Oliver.
Noah is arrogant boy who hate Oliver and he always humiliate Oliver.
“Yer know, continoued Noah emboldened by Oliver’s silence, ans
speaking in jeering tone of affected pity, of all tones are annoying,
“Yer know Work’us, it is can’t be helped now, and of course yer
couldn’t help it then, and I’m very sorry for it, and I’m really sure
we all are, and pity yer very much. But yer must know, work’us,
yer mother was a regular-down bad’un” (Dickens, 1873:43).
“What did you say?” (Dickens, 1837:43).
“A regular-down bad’un Work’us” said Noah (Dickens, 1837:57).

D. Conclusion
Having analysis in both chapter IV and V, the reseacher would like to
present the following conclusion. The first, the great author Charles Dickens
depicts the social condition of England society since the existance of indutrial
revolution in the late of ninetenth century as reflected in Oliver Twist novel
which is published in 1873. The issue such as injustice include oppression is
becoming the most important view which Dickens emphasizes. Secondly,
Secondly, Charles Dickens critizes the social condition inside the country which
reveal the social injustice such as oppression which is divided into five parts,
namely exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism and
the last is violence. It also reveals the needs of goverment to create justice in
order in creating peace and save childern. By having rapid technology especially
in a form of using machine so manual work which is done by hand, rapidly
changed by machine. So that’s why unemployment problem increases rapidly.
The oppression which is divided into five parts namely exploitation,
marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism and the last is violence.
The harness of the enviorement makes the poor people become powerless such
Dickens presents in the novel, in the major character namely Oliver Twist and
all childern inside Fagin’s house, so that’s way, because there is no power to
control theirself, poor people are being exploited. The exploitation leads the
violence and marginalization. And if those things are in a big number, the
cultural imperialism could not be avoided. For instance in England society, the
consequences of the harshness of the inviorement makes the poeple become
selfish. There is no respect on role anymore, in order to defend their life from
the death.
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