Theme of crime and poverty in oliver twist

Oliver Twist Midterm Exam:

The exam should be typed, single spaced and no longer than 2 pages total.

Please include a heading in the top left hand corner with the following information:

Name

Course and Section Number

Date

I will deduct 5 points for exams that do not have a proper heading.

Also, I want to remind students that spelling and grammar counts.

The file should be saved as Last, First name Midterm Exam. I will deduct 5 points for incorrect file names.

Please number your responses and only include the answer.

No copying and pasting answers from my power points or from any outside source. Any cheating will result in a

zero for the exam.

NO LATE EXAMS. I do not accept late exams and do not accept them in email. Make sure you submit in

plenty of time to get help with any computer problems.

Submit the exam under the Assignments Tab

The first section is paragraph length answers and should not be longer than 4 sentences each.

There is a correct answer I am looking for, so do not just ramble and hope you will hit it. I will only read the

first 4 sentences.

Section I: The questions and quotes below focus on an important theme within the novel and were discussed in

class and are on the presentations available in Blackboard. Examine each question or quote carefully and then

write no more than 4 sentences answering the question.

1. Poverty Theme: 10 points In chapter two, we read the famous hunger scene: “Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and

reckless with misery. He rose from the table, and advancing to the Master, basin and spoon in hand,

said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity: ‘Please Sir, I want some more.’”

This scene is a good example of Oliver’s early life. Explain why Dickens uses scenes like this to show

the depth of Oliver’s poverty. What effect does it have on the reader?

2. Poverty Theme: 10 points Mr. Bumble and Mr. Sowerberry are discussing the death of a family in the parish when Mr. Sowerberry

says “The jury brought in, ‘Died from exposure to the cold and want of the common necessaries of life,’

didn’t they?”

Explain why those in need of the “necessaries of life” would rather die in the streets than enter the

Workhouse.

3. Nature Vs. Nurture Theme: 10 points Chapter two describes Oliver as “a pale thin child, somewhat diminutive in stature, and decidedly small

in circumference. But nature or inheritance had implanted a good sturdy spirit in Oliver’s breast.”

Why does Oliver have to stay good despite the people he encounters and the environment he grows up

in? Why is his nature good?

4. Nature Vs. Nurture Theme: 10 points The Dodger describes his life of crime to Oliver by saying, “Here’s a jolly life! What’s the odds where it

comes from? Here, catch hold; there’s plenty more where they were took from. You won’t, won’t you?

Oh, you precious flat!”

Explore the difference between Oliver and The Dodger. Why is The Dodger so jolly about stealing and

working for Fagin? Why is Oliver so resistant?

5. Crime and Criminal Theme: 10 points Fagin plays a game with the boys where he dressed up as a gentleman and the boys practiced pick-

pocketing him: “If the old gentleman felt a hand in any one of his pockets, he cried out where it was; and

then the game began all over again.”

What kinds of crime does Fagin have the boys commit? Is Fagin more or less of a criminal than Bill

Sykes? Why or Why Not?

6. Crime and Criminal Theme: 10 points After Nancy kidnaps Oliver she breaks down and refuses to allow Oliver to be bullied by Bill or Fagin:

“He’s a thief, a liar, a devil, all that’s bad, from this night forth. Isn’t that enough for the old wretch,

without blows?” After being rebuffed by Fagin, Nancy yells “It is my living; and the cold, wet, dirty

streets are my home; and you’re the wretch that drove me to them long ago, and that’ll keep me there,

day and night, day and night, till I die!”

Explain what Nancy is trying to get Fagin to understand about the life of a criminal. Basically, how does

Nancy’s outburst show that even Fagin’s petty crimes ruin lives?

7. Opinion – 10 points Who is your favorite character? Why? Who is your least favorite character? Why?

Section II: Long Essay. Write an organized essay that responds to the prompt succinctly and clearly. The essay

portion should be in the same document as the paragraph questions and typed, single spaced. Do not go over the

2 page maximum for the entire exam. Section is worth 30 points.

Choose one of the themes (Poverty, Nature Vs. Nurture, Crime/Criminal) and 1-2 characters from the novel

Oliver Twist. Explore how those characters embody, illustrate or support the theme that Dickens’ is writing

about. For example, you could choose to discuss The Dodger’s poverty and the Maylie’s wealth. Does Dickens

create differences between the characters to show the result of living a life of poverty or of wealth?

OR you could explore the differences in the lives of Oliver and Noah Claypole to discuss the theme of Nature

Vs. Nurture.

OR you could examine Fagin’s criminal activity compared to Bill Sykes’ and the difference that creates in their

characters.

DO NOT WRITE ON ALL THREE SUGGESTIONS. CHOOSE ONE.

Write at least 2 paragraphs, but no more than 4. The essay must provide at least 2 quotes from the novel to

support the analysis.

Pay close attention to the due date of the final in Blackboard. No late exams will be accepted.