Dickens' serialised text Oliver Twist is a classic example of social commentary and criticism of the Victorian era; particularly concerning the New Poor Law and the state of child labourers under Parochial influences and in Workhouses.
Oliver Twist is a typical rags to riches story of an endearing child, whose angelic face immediately earns the empathy and love of adults who surround him. The novel effectively demonstrates the journey of a moral character, forced into the company of the criminal class who use Oliver Twist as a pawn in their criminal warfare.
The first time that I read this novel I was only about twelve years old, so re-reading it recently was particularly interesting, and almost as if I was reading it for the first time.
Due to the original serialised nature of the text, each chapter is filled with action. There are no elongated sections of background or "plot fluff" which helps to depict the entirety of the fictional scene, instead, as Dickens had to create each chapter as a standalone piece, maintaining enough interest to intrigue readers to keep their attention hyped on a monthly basis.
The narrative is constantly amusing and filled with material for analytical investment: it is rich with material to evaluate and is a perfect piece for discussion and debate.
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