Comparing Evil, Abuse and Escape in Oliver Twist and Great Expectations :: comparison compare contrast essays

In Oliver sheer and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, both(prenominal) main characters refuse to except the poor hand the reality has dealt them. blip and Oliver reach a smashing epiphany in regards to social injustice, and in turn rebel against the system that oppresses them. They are tired of being abuse and vaulted, and therefore decide to make a stand. Charles Dickens exhibits through Oliver and Pip that the revolt of the weak against the strong emergences from the oppression of the poor. As a result of their revolt against the system, Pip and Oliver are ostracized for their non-conforming ideals. Thus change in an oppressing and conformist society can only be achieved through change in moral, social, and political instincts. In both novels the main character faces abuse and neglect which result in rebellion and distancing of them from the society which chooses to hold them down. In Oliver Twist, Oliver receives a great amount of abuse through the orphanage. While suffering from starving and malnutrition for a long period of time, Oliver is chosen by the other boys at the orphanage to request more gruel at dinner. After making this saucer-eyed request, the master aimed a blow at Olivers head with a ladle pinioned him in his arms and shrieked aloud for the beadle (Oliver Twist 16). This pain and neglect caused a change in Oliver. He know that he must rebel against the society that wishes to oppress him, in say to truly start living. In Great Expectations, Pip receives a great deal of abuse at the hands of his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery. On one role I soon found myself getting heavily bumped from behind in the nape of the neck and the small of the back, and having my face ignominiously shoved against the wall, because I did not answer those questions at sufficient length (Great Expectations 12). This anguish inflicted by the hands of his sister resulted in Pip distancing himself from any ties with his family. Thus his independence grew as a direct result of the abuse he had faced. In both novels the main characters have to escape from harsh living conditions and evil environment which in turn forces them to grow as individuals, and become independent from a conformist society. Oliver finds himself residing in an orphanage that is dark and sordid. As well he finds himself in Londons lowest slums, such as the pickpockets hideout, the environ streets, and the bars, which are all described as dark, gloomy, and bland.