Oliver Twist
visual analysis
page E 33
1.
The passage can be divided into three parts. Write a caption to describe
the content of each section.
Part 1 (lines 1 – 23): The setting and the description of the boys’ hunger
Part 2 (lines 24 – 38): The main event;
Part 3 (lines 39 – 63): The consequences of Oliver’ request.
2. Now summarize each part in one or two sentences.
Part 1: the extract takes place in a workhouse and denounces the boys’ greatest
problem, hunger. One evening the boys decide that one of them , Oliver Twist,
should ask for more food.
Part 2: At his insisting demand for more food, the master hits Oliver and goes to
look for Mr Bumble, the man in charge for the workhouse.
Part 3: Every member of the parish board is astonished and considers Oliver’s
request as a sign of his criminal nature. Therefore the boy is confined to his
room and five pounds are offered to anyone who wants to take him away.
3.
Look at the visual analysis of the text and write down What each
colour or mark represents.
The
(green words)
Words and phrases describing the features of the room.
( water green)
Visual details linked to the boys’ conditions and their hunger
such
( Underlined blue)
Exaggerations and absurd elements linked to the world of the boys.
(Highlighted in blue)
Exaggerations and absurd elements linked to Mr Bumble , the master, and
the board.
3.
Look at the visual analysis of the text and write down what each colour
or mark represents.
(Green) ………….. What does this word refer to?
The word “more” is repeated six times in this extract. It refers to food.
(Light blue) ………. What are these expressions associated with?
What atmosphere do they create?
These words recall a ritual. The expressions are associated with a religious
ceremony and create a sacred atmosphere.
4. Discuss the following questions in pairs.
1.
Is the narrator a voice outside or inside the novel? Whose
point of view is adopted.
The narrator is a voice outside and Oliver’ point of view is adopted.
2.
How is the story developed
• It is developed through dialogues, description and narration.
3.
Is the description detailed or vague? What is its function?
•
The description is detailed. It arouses pity in the reader, it also
builds up a realistic picture of the scene and makes the reader side
with the poor boys.
4.
What is the function of the narration? And that of the dialogues?
•
The narration compares the world of the boys with that of the
institutions while the dialogues increase the reader’s interest in
the scene.
5.
Which feelings characterise the two worlds presented in the text?
•
Submission, fear and starvation characterise the boys’ world; power, lack
of humanity and fatness are linked to the world of the adults.
6.
What antithetical images and ideas can you find in the
passage?
•
They are:
the boys’ world / the adults’ world
the poor / the rich
starvation / fatness
submission / power