INTRODUCTION:
My awareness of the social conditions of the Dickensian Era have increased greatly, through my reading of the play and watching the film – Charles Dickens ‘Oliver Twist’. Narrative techniques such as characterisation and plot combined with cinematic conventions such as costume and makeup, contribute to my overall understanding of the overall conditions of the Dickensian Era.
BODY: SETTING; -We are confronted by the workplaces the harsh conditions, masses of children, harassment and the dialogue that is portrayed through the film. We feel so sorry of the rows and rows of boys sitting all picking at the Oakum and we get the sense that they must sit there for hours and hours each day doing the same thing.
-We get the view of framed Christian sign that we view it reads ‘God is Love and God is Hope’ and we know full well that the neglect of human values has fostered the spiritual decay that is so aptly reflected in the odious surroundings.
–The film is a dark tale of corruption, degrading living conditions, and the terror of unanticipated violence. The background is sinister and slime and filth are inescapable. Even the elements conspire to accentuate and dismal atmosphere; the weather is often bitterly cold and rain and fog are frequent.
-How poor people are treated throughout the film not cares about them and they are given no hope or chance to prove that they are actually normal people.
-When Olive gets mistaken for one of Fagin’s gang when they think that Oliver stolen a man’s handkerchief, an old man immediately and instinctively assumes that Oliver stole it since it’s Oliver who nosily running away, everyone stats yelling ‘stop thief’. The whole street scene suddenly shifts its collective attention to the little boy running away down the street and everyone joins in (even Charley and Dodger). Someone finally tackles Oliver to the ground, and the old gentleman gets dragged to the front of the crowd to identify Oliver as the suspected culprit. But he clearly feels sorry for Oliver, and calls him a "poor fellow," and is disgusted by the "great lubberly fellow" who proudly tells him that he’s the one who stole the handkerchief.
-How Oliver is poorly treated at the magistrates and it is assumed that Oliver is guilty and no one even cares about the truth. This is against our beliefs.
-We are aware of the Social Conditions when we’re in Fagin’s den this is the world of criminality. By this we are shown that boys are for Fagin and girls are for the streets, this portrays to us even though we are all even back in the Dickensian era there was a prejudice.
-We can see through that film that there only are two choices that people can do these are to work in a workhouse or to work on the streets.
-The behaviour is so unlovingly and the people were responsible for their own poverty. How every child needs loving parents and by doing this the outcome is a blooming happy child.
-The people in the film are so desperate that they just steal, and does it make them happy? Of course not.
Characterisation; -Most characters are unattractive and self-serving, grasping/greedy ~ a great example would be when Oliver ask for more
'Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more!'
There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance.
'For MORE!' said Mr. Limbkins. 'Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?'
'He did, sir,' replied Bumble.
'That boy will be hung,' said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. 'I know that boy will be hung.' Oliver then get taken into a well furnished room where there are fat men sitting at a table eating a four course meal and talking with their mouths full the men see themselves as good people and they actually have a lack of values.
- Sharpe contrast between the board members stuffing their faces/they don’t care about anyone else.
-The chimney
