This darkly satiric indictment of the social ills of Victorian London tells the story of a young orphan who becomes involved with a gang of criminals. Oliver is a poor orphan living in 19th century London. Through a series of accidental events, he finds himself caught up with a gang of criminals, including such memorable characters as the Artful Dodger, Fagin, and Bill Sykes. The story centers around Oliver's inheritance, and is an indictment of the British Poor Laws, which allowed for the proliferation of such social evils as workhouses and child labor. As with many of Dickens's other novels, Oliver Twist is a darkly comic narrative whose sarcastic tone brings into sharp relief the social hypocrisy of the day. This edition includes: -A concise introduction that gives the reader important background information -A chronology of the author's life and work -A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context -An outline of key themes and plot points to guide the reader's own interpretations -Detailed explanatory notes -Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work -Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction -A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world1/4s finest books to their full potential.
