Charles Dickens That Inspired his Work - Oliver Twist

'Oliver Twist' must be one of the most famous books in English Literature. Charles Dickens' tale of an orphan in London has been turned into numerous films and, more particularly, a famous musical by Lionel Bart. But what is the reality behind the famous story? How much was Dickens affected by the world in which he lived when he wrote the story? During this talk we will investigate some of the different types of establishments that existed for the benefit of the poor. We will look at the laws that affected the rights of workers and the particular legislation that dealt with children. We will reflect on real examples from different times and locations and try to piece together some of the events and experiences that could have affected Dickens in his writing and in his depiction of Oliver Twist and the characters that make up this story. With all of the facts at our fingertips we can decide whether 'Oliver Twist' is actually a true reflection of life in the nineteenth century.