OLIVER ASKS FOR MORE.
Before going through the story……..
**The Victorian era stretched from 20 June 1837 to 22
January 1901, coinciding with the rule of Queen Victoria. It lasted for 63
years and 7 months, making it one of the longest periods of monarchy in British
history and a time of profound social, political, and technological change. Key
dates of the Victorian era Start: June 20, 1837, when Queen Victoria ascended
to the throne after William IV's death. End: January 22, 1901, upon her death
at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, at the age of 81.
The era began with Victoria's accession at the age of
18 and ended with her passing, marking a span of more than six decades
characterized by industrialization, empire expansion, and cultural
transformation. It was a period that saw the British Empire become the largest
empire in history and saw significant advancements in science, industry, and
society. The era's cultural and moral values were often reflected in the
literature, art, and social policies of the time. This framing of the era from
her accession in 1837 to her death in 1901 encapsulates (captures/sums up) a
significant and transformative phase of British and world history.
The novel "Oliver Twist" was
written between 1837 and 1839, and it was published in two stages:
- Serial Publication: The novel was first
published in monthly instalments from February 1837 to April 1839 in the
magazine "Bentley's Miscellany".
- Book Publication: The novel was
published in book form in November 1838, six months before the serial
publication was completed, in three volumes.
The novel, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
provides a powerful social critique of the Victorian era, especially
highlighting issues of poverty, child labour, social injustice, and the harsh
realities faced by the poor and marginalized. The novel exposes the brutal
conditions in workhouses, where orphans like Oliver are underfed and
mistreated, a reflection of the harsh Poor Laws that punished the helpless rather
than providing real aid. Dickens vividly portrays the grim life of London's
underclass, including the criminal underworld and exploitation of children by
figures like Fagin, illustrating the severe social inequalities of the time.
The famous scene where Oliver asks for more food symbolizes the cruelty against
the poor and the Victorian belief that poverty was a moral failing requiring
punishment. The novel criticizes the hypocrisy of Victorian middle-class
society, which outwardly claims Christian charity but often neglects or abuses
the needy. Through Oliver's experiences, Dickens calls attention to the need
for social reform, demonstrating how industrialization, class division, and a
failing justice system perpetuated suffering and inequality. Oliver Twist thus
remains an enduring work that documents and denounces the social conditions of
the Victorian era while advocating empathy and social justice.
Oliver Asks for More.’ in Chapter 2 of the novel
"Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens, marks a turning point in Oliver's
journey, showcasing his desperation for food and his courage in speaking up
despite potential punishment. The exact quote from the novel is: "Please,
sir, I want some more." This simple request sparks outrage among the
workhouse authorities, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and child labour
in Victorian England.
Page: 84
Glossary
1. Among other buildings – Surrounded by or in the
midst of many other structures.
2. Town – A human settlement larger than a village but
smaller than a city.
3. Workhouse – A government institution in old England
where very poor and homeless people were given food and shelter in exchange for
hard work.
4. Poor people – Persons who had no money, job, or
home to live in.
5. Nowhere to live – Without any place or house to
stay.
6. Was born – Came into the world; gave birth to.
7. Ill – Sick; in poor health.
8. Lay ill in bed – Was lying in bed because she was
too weak or sick to stand.
9. Doctor – A medical man who helps sick people.
10. Old woman – An elderly female attendant or nurse.
11. Stood by her side – Stayed close beside her,
giving assistance.
12. Lifted her head from the pillow – Raised her head
weakly from the cushion under it.
13. “Let me see the child and die.” – A dying mother’s
request to look at her baby once before death.
14. “You mustn’t talk about dying yet.” – You should
not speak about death now; a way of giving hope.
15. “You are too young to die.” – You are very young;
you should not die so early.
16. Shook her head – Moved her head from side to side
to say “no.”
17. Held out her hand – Extended her hand forward to
reach something.
18. Towards the child – In the direction of the baby.
19. Put the child in her arms – Gently placed the
newborn baby in the mother’s hands.
20. Pressed her cold white lips – Touched her pale
lips softly against the baby’s face; kissed affectionately.
21. Fell back – Collapsed backward on the bed; lost
strength and died.
22. “She is dead.” – The doctor’s declaration that the
woman had died.
23. Poor dear – An expression of pity for someone who
has suffered.
24. Took the child away – Carried the baby from the
mother’s body.
25. Put on his hat and gloves – The doctor got ready
to leave after his work was over.
26. Good-looking girl – A pretty or attractive young
woman.
27. Brought here last night – Taken to this place the
previous evening.
28. Lying in the street – Found resting or collapsed
on the road.
29. Had walked a long way – Had travelled far on foot.
30. Shoes had holes in them – Her footwear was torn
and worn out, showing poverty.
31. Nobody knows – No person is aware or informed.
32. Where she came from – The place she belonged to or
had started her journey from.
33. Where she was going to – The place she intended to
reach.
34. Raised the dead woman’s left hand – Lifted her
hand to examine it.
35. The usual story – A common sad case, happening
often among poor women.
36. Ring on her finger – A wedding ring that shows
marriage.
37. She wasn’t married – She had no husband; she gave
birth to a child out of wedlock.
38. Good night! – The doctor’s farewell as he left the
place.
Paraphrase
In one of the towns of England, there stood a large
building meant for poor people who had neither money nor homes to live in. Such
a building was known as a workhouse.
It was in this workhouse that a baby boy named Oliver
Twist was born. His mother, a young woman, lay very sick on a bed inside the
building. A doctor and an elderly woman were standing near her, trying to help
her during her illness and childbirth.
The weak young woman lifted her head slightly from her
pillow and said faintly,
“Let me see my child, and then I can die.”
Hearing this, the doctor tried to comfort her. “Oh,
don’t talk about dying yet,” he said, hoping to encourage her to live.
The old woman also tried to console her, saying
kindly, “No, my dear, you are too young to die.”
But the young woman sadly shook her head, as if she
knew that her time had come. She stretched out her trembling hand towards her
baby.
The doctor gently placed the newborn baby in her arms.
She kissed the child softly on the face with her cold, pale lips. Then she fell
back on the bed and became still.
“She is dead,” said the doctor solemnly.
“Yes, poor thing,” replied the old woman, taking the
baby from the arms of its lifeless mother. “Poor dear,” she repeated with pity.
The doctor looked at the dead woman for a moment and
remarked, “She was a pretty girl.” Then, as he put on his hat and gloves, he
asked, “Where did she come from?”
“She was brought here only last night,” the old woman
explained. “People found her lying on the street. She had been walking for a
long time, and her shoes were full of holes. Nobody knows who she was, where
she had come from, or where she was going.”
The doctor gently lifted the dead woman’s left hand
and examined it. “The usual story,” he said with a sigh. “There’s no ring on
her finger — so she wasn’t married. Good night!”
With that, the doctor left, leaving behind the newborn
child who had entered the world as an orphan — poor little Oliver Twist.
QUESTIONS
1. MCQS
1. Where was Oliver Twist born?
A) In a hospital
B) In a palace
C) In a workhouse
D) In a cottage
Answer: C) In a workhouse
2. What was a workhouse?
A) A school for children
B) A house for poor people with no money or home
C) A hospital for rich people
D) A place for criminals
Answer: B) A house for poor people with no money or
home
3. Who was beside Oliver’s mother when he was born?
A) The priest and a nurse
B) The doctor and an old woman
C) The mayor and a nurse
D) The cook and a maid
Answer: B) The doctor and an old woman
4. What did Oliver’s mother ask to do before dying?
A) To eat something
B) To see her child
C) To meet her husband
D) To write a letter
Answer: B) To
see her child
5. What did Oliver’s mother say before she died?
A) “Let me see the child and die.”
B) “Save me, doctor!”
C) “I am hungry.”
D) “I will live.”
Answer: A) “Let me see the child and die.”
6. What did the doctor tell the mother when she talked
of dying?
A) “You should rest.”
B) “Don’t talk about dying yet.”
C) “Say your last words.”
D) “You will die soon.”
Answer: B) “Don’t talk about dying yet.”
7. What did the old woman say to comfort the mother?
A) “You are too young to die.”
B) “You are going to heaven.”
C) “Your baby will live.”
D) “Try to sleep.”
Answer: A) “You are too young to die.”
8. How did the young woman respond to them?
A) She smiled happily
B) She shook her head sadly
C) She laughed loudly
D) She called for help
Answer: B) She shook her head sadly
9. What did the doctor do with the child?
A) He gave the baby to the nurse
B) He put the child in the mother’s arms
C) He took the baby away
D) He gave the baby milk
Answer: B) He put the child in the mother’s arms
10. How did the mother show love to her baby?
A) She smiled
B) She sang a song
C) She kissed the baby on its face
D) She hugged the doctor
Answer: C) She kissed the baby on its face
11. What happened immediately after the mother kissed
the baby?
A) She fell back and died
B) She started crying
C) She got well
D) She asked for food
Answer: A) She fell back and died
12. Who said, “She is dead”?
A) The old woman
B) The doctor
C) A nurse
D) Oliver’s father
Answer: B) The doctor
13. What did the old woman say when the doctor said
the mother was dead?
A) “Let’s call her family.”
B) “Poor dear.”
C) “She deserved it.”
D) “She will live again.”
Answer: B) “Poor dear.”
14. What did the old woman do after the mother died?
A) She took the baby away
B) She left the room
C) She called the police
D) She cried loudly
Answer: A) She took the baby away
15. What did the doctor say about the dead woman’s
looks?
A) She looked tired
B) She was a good-looking girl
C) She was ugly
D) She looked angry
Answer: B) She was a good-looking girl
16. When was the woman brought to the workhouse?
A) The night before
B) Two weeks earlier
C) In the morning
D) A month ago
Answer: A) The night before
17. Where was the woman found before being brought to
the workhouse?
A) In a church
B) In the forest
C) Lying in the street
D) Near a river
Answer: C) Lying in the street
18. What was wrong with her shoes?
A) They were new
B) They had holes in them
C) They were too big
D) They were missing
Answer: B) They had holes in them
19. What does the story say about where she came from?
A) Everyone knew it
B) Nobody knew it
C) She told the doctor
D) The old woman knew it
Answer: B) Nobody knew it
20. What did the doctor look for on her hand?
A) A ring
B) A wound
C) A bracelet
D) A mark
Answer: A) A ring
21. Why did the doctor look for a ring?
A) To see if she was married
B) To steal it
C) To check her identity
D) To admire it
Answer: A) To see if she was married
22. What did the doctor conclude after checking her
hand?
A) She was rich
B) She was married
C) She wasn’t married
D) She was sleeping
Answer: C) She wasn’t married
23. What words did the doctor use after finding no
ring?
A) “She was lucky.”
B) “The usual story.”
C) “How strange!”
D) “Poor woman.”
Answer: B) “The usual s
24. What did the doctor say before leaving?
A) “Good morning!”
B) “Good night!”
C) “Goodbye forever!”
D) “Take care!”
Answer: B) “Good night!”
25. What does the story reveal about Oliver at birth?
A) He was rich
B) He was an orphan
C) He was sick
D) He was lost
Answer: B) He was an orphan
26. What does the doctor’s attitude show about him?
A) He was emotional and kind
B) He was practical and cold
C) He was rude and angry
D) He was very sad
Answer: B) He was practical and cold
27. What emotion did the old woman show for the
mother?
A) Hatred
B
A) Strong and healthy
B) Ill and weak
C) Happy and cheerful
D) Rested and calm
Answer: B) Ill and weak
29. What is the tone of this part of the story?
A) Humorous
B) Joyful
C) Sad and tragic
D) Suspenseful
Answer: C) Sad and tragic
30. What main theme is introduced in this passage?
A) The life of the rich
B) The problems of the poor and helpless
C) Adventures of Oliver
D) A happy family story
Answer: B) The problems of the poor and helpless
2. One Mark Questions
1. Where was Oliver Twist born?
Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse.
2. What is a workhouse?
A workhouse was a place where poor people who had no
money or home were given shelter and work.
3. Who were present when Oliver was born?
A doctor and an old woman were present when Oliver was
born.
4. What did Oliver’s mother say before she died?
Oliver’s mother said, “Let me see the child and die.”
5. What did the doctor tell her when she talked about
dying?
The doctor told her not to talk about dying yet.
6. What did the old woman say to the mother?
The old woman said that she was too young to die.
7. What did the mother do when she was given her baby?
She kissed the baby on its face with her cold white
lips.
8. What happened to the mother after she kissed her
baby?
After kissing her baby, the mother fell back and died.
9. Who said, “She is dead”?
The doctor said, “She is dead.”
10. What did the old woman say after the mother died?
The old woman said sadly, “Poor dear.”
11. Who took the baby after the mother’s death?
The old woman took the baby after the mother’s death.
12. What did the doctor say about the dead woman’s
appearance?
The doctor said that she was a good-looking girl.
13. When had the woman been brought to the workhouse?
The woman had been brought to the workhouse the night
before.
14. Where had people found the woman before bringing
her to the workhouse?
People had found her lying in the street.
15. What condition were her shoes in?
Her shoes had holes in them because she had walked a
long way.
16. Did anyone know where she came from?
No, nobody knew where she came from or where she was
going.
17. What did the doctor look for on the woman’s hand?
The doctor looked for a ring on the woman’s hand.
18. What did the doctor conclude after seeing no ring?
The doctor concluded that the woman was not married.
19. What did the doctor say before leaving?
Before leaving, the doctor said, “Good night!”
20. What do we learn about Oliver’s birth from this
passage?
We learn that Oliver Twist was born as a poor orphan
in a workhouse, with no known family.
3. RTC
Extract 1
“Among other buildings in a town in England, there was
a house for poor people who had no money and nowhere to live. This was called
the workhouse.”
1. Where was the workhouse located?
It was located in a town in England.
2. Who lived in the workhouse?
Poor people who had no money and nowhere to live lived
there.
3. What was the purpose of the workhouse?
It provided shelter and work to the poor and homeless.
4. What kind of life did people have there?
They lived a hard and miserable life.
5. Who was born in that workhouse?
Oliver Twist was born there.
Extract 2
“Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse. His mother, a
young woman, lay ill in bed.”
1. Who was Oliver Twist’s mother?
She was a young, sick woman whose name is not
mentioned.
2. What was her condition at the time of birth?
She was very ill and weak.
3. Where was she lying?
She was lying in bed inside the workhouse.
4. What was happening at that moment?
She was giving birth to her child, Oliver Twist.
5. What does this show about Oliver’s birth?
It shows that Oliver was born into poverty and
suffering.
Extract 3
“A doctor and an old woman stood by her side.”
1. Why were they standing near her?
They were there to help her during childbirth.
2. What does this show about her situation?
It shows she was poor but still received basic help.
3. What were the doctor and old woman doing?
They were attending to the sick woman as she gave
birth.
4. How many people were present at Oliver’s birth?
Two — the doctor and the old woman.
5. What does the presence of the doctor show?
It shows that the workhouse had some medical help for
the poor.
Extract 4
“Let me see the child and die,’ she said.”
1. Who said these words?
Oliver’s mother said these words.
2. What did she want before dying?
She wanted to see her child once.
3. What does this show about her feelings?
It shows her deep love for her newborn baby.
4. What does the line suggest about her condition?
It shows that she knew she was about to die.
5. How would you describe her tone?
Her tone is tender but full of sorrow.
Extract 5
“‘Oh, you mustn’t talk about dying yet,’ said the
doctor.”
1. Who said these words?
The doctor said these words.
2. To whom were they spoken?
They were spoken to Oliver’s mother.
3. What was the doctor trying to do?
He was trying to comfort and encourage her.
4. What emotion does the doctor show here?
He shows sympathy but also practicality.
5. Did the woman recover after this?
No, she died soon after.
Extract 6
“‘No, dear,’ said the old woman. ‘You are too young to
die.’”
1. Who is the speaker?
The old woman is the speaker.
2. Who is she talking to?
She is talking to Oliver’s mother.
3. What did she mean by ‘too young to die’?
She meant that the young woman’s life had just begun.
4. Was her statement true?
Yes, but sadly the young woman died anyway.
5. What feeling does the old woman show?
She shows pity and kindness.
Extract 7
“The young woman shook her head and held out her hand
towards the child.”
1. What does the woman’s action show?
It shows her desire to hold her baby.
2. Why did she shake her head?
She knew she was dying and could not be saved.
3. What did she do next?
She reached out to take her child.
4. Who was near her at that time?
The doctor and the old woman.
5. What emotion does this scene create?
It creates sadness and sympathy.
Extract 8
“The doctor put the child in her arms.”
1. What child is mentioned here?
The child is Oliver Twist.
2. Who gave the child to the mother?
The doctor
3. Why did he do so?
He did it because she wanted to see her baby before
dying.
4. What did she do after receiving the baby?
She kissed the baby on the face.
5. What happened soon after?
She died holding her child.
Extract 9
“She pressed her cold white lips to its face, and then
fell back.”
1. Who is ‘she’ here?
‘She’ refers to Oliver’s mother.
2. What does ‘pressed her cold white lips’ mean?
It means she kissed her baby tenderly.
3. What does her falling back signify?
It signifies that she had died.
4. What kind of mood does this line create?
It creates a tragic and emotional mood.
5. What does this action show about her?
It shows her love and sacrifice as a mother.
Extract 10
“‘She is dead,’ said the doctor.”
1. Who is dead?
Oliver’s mother is dead.
2. Who confirmed her death?
The doctor confirmed it.
3. What was his tone while saying it?
His tone was calm and factual.
4. What does this reveal about his nature?
He was professional and not very emotional.
5. Who else was in the room?
The old woman and the newborn baby.
Extract 11
“‘Yes, poor dear,’ said the old woman, as she took the
child away from its dead mother.”
1. Who is the ‘poor dear’?
The dead mother is referred to as the ‘poor dear’.
2. Who said these words?
The old woman said them.
3. What was the old woman doing at that time?
She was taking the baby away from the mother’s arms.
4. What emotion does she express?
She expresses pity and sadness.
5. Why did she take the baby away?
Because the mother was dead.
Extract 12
“‘She was a good-looking girl,’ said the doctor, as he
put on his hat and gloves.”
1. Who is described as ‘a good-looking girl’?
Oliver’s mother is described as a good-looking girl.
2. Who made this remark?
The doctor made this remark.
3. What was he doing while saying it?
He was putting on his hat and gloves, preparing to
leave.
4. What does this show about his attitude?
He was indifferent and unemotional.
5. Why did he comment on her looks?
To express a brief remark before leaving, showing
detachment.
Extract 13
“‘Where did she come from?’”
1. Who asked this question?
The doctor asked this question.
2. Who was he talking about?
He was talking about the dead woman — Oliver’s mother.
3. To whom did he ask this?
He asked the old woman.
4. What was he curious to know?
He wanted to know the woman’s background.
5. Did he get an answer?
Yes, the old woman answered that nobody knew.
Extract 14
“‘She was brought here last night,’ said the old
woman.”
1. Who was brought there?
Oliver’s mother was brought there.
2. Who said these words?
The old woman said them.
3. Where was she brought?
She was brought to the workhouse.
4. When was she brought there?
She was brought there the previous night.
5. Why was she brought there?
Because she was found lying sick in the street.
Extract 15
“‘She was lying in the street. She had walked a long
way and her shoes had holes in them.’”
1. Who is being talked about?
Oliver’s mother is being talked about.
2. Who said this?
The old woman said this.
3. What does this show about her life?
It shows that she had suffered and travelled far in
hardship.
4. What condition were her shoes in?
Her shoes had holes in them.
5. What does this tell us about her poverty?
It shows she was extremely poor and helpless.
Extract 16
“‘Nobody knows where she came from, or where she was
going to.’”
1. Who said this?
The old woman said this.
2. Who is being referred to?
Oliver’s mother is being referred to.
3. What does this sentence show?
It shows that the woman’s identity and past were
unknown.
4. What does it add to the story’s tone?
It adds mystery and sadness.
5. How does this affect Oliver’s life?
It makes him an orphan with no known family.
Extract 17
“The doctor raised the dead woman’s left hand.”
1. Who raised the hand?
The doctor raised her hand.
2. Whose hand did he raise?
He raised the dead woman’s hand.
3. Why did he do that?
He wanted to check if she had a ring.
4. What does this act show about him?
It shows he was practical and curious.
5. What did he find?
He found that she had no ring.
Extract 18
“‘The usual story,’ he said. ‘I see that she has no
ring on her finger.’”
1. Who said this?
The doctor said this.
2. What did he mean by “the usual story”?
He meant that she was an unmarried, poor woman
abandoned by society.
3. What was missing on her finger?
A ring was missing.
4. What did the missing ring signify?
It signified that she was not married.
5. What tone does the doctor’s remark show?
It shows a cold and judgmental tone.
Extract 19
“She wasn’t married. Good night!”
1. Who said this line?
The doctor said this line.
2. To whom was it said?
It was said to the old woman.
3. What did he conclude?
He concluded that the woman was unmarried.
4. What does ‘Good night’ show?
It shows that he was leaving and showed no emotional
concern.
5. How does this end the scene?
It ends the scene with a sense of cold reality and
tragedy.
Extract 20
This passage ends with the birth of Oliver Twist, an
orphaned child in a poorhouse.
1. What is the main event in this passage?
The birth of Oliver Twist is the main event.
2. What happens to Oliver’s mother?
She dies immediately after giving birth.
3. What is Oliver’s condition after birth?
He becomes an orphan with no known family.
4. What main theme does this extract introduce?
It introduces the theme of poverty and helplessness.
5. What mood does the ending create?
It creates a sad and tragic mood.
4. Two-mark questions
1. Describe the place where Oliver Twist was born.
Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse in an English
town. The workhouse was a building meant for poor people who had no home or
money. It offered them food and shelter in return for hard work. Life there was
miserable, dull, and full of suffering.
2. What was the condition of Oliver’s mother before
and after his birth?
Oliver’s mother was a young woman, sick and exhausted
when she gave birth. She had walked a long distance, her shoes torn with holes.
After seeing her baby, she kissed him tenderly and immediately died, leaving
Oliver alone in the world as an orphaned child.
3. How did the doctor and the old woman try to comfort
Oliver’s mother?
When Oliver’s mother spoke of dying, the doctor told
her not to talk about death yet. The old woman also tried to encourage her,
saying she was too young to die. Both tried to give her hope, but she knew her
end was near.
4. What was Oliver’s mother’s last wish and how was it
fulfilled?
Her last wish was to see her newborn child before she
died. The doctor placed the baby gently in her arms. She kissed the baby’s face
lovingly with her cold lips, expressed her motherly affection, and then passed
away peacefully, leaving the child behind.
5. What does the old woman’s behaviour reveal about
her character?
The old woman was kind and sympathetic. She pitied the
dying mother and showed concern for her suffering. After the mother’s death,
she gently took the baby away and expressed sorrow, calling her “poor dear.”
Her actions reveal a soft heart despite her poor surroundings.
6. What was the doctor’s attitude after the woman’s
death?
The doctor behaved calmly and without much emotion. He
simply confirmed her death and prepared to leave. He remarked that she was a
good-looking girl and noticed she had no wedding ring. His indifference shows
the cold, practical attitude of society toward poor people.
7. What do we learn about Oliver’s mother’s
background?
Oliver’s mother had come from an unknown place. She
was found lying in the street, weak and exhausted after walking a long way. Her
shoes had holes in them, showing her poverty. Nobody knew her name, her home,
or where she was going.
8. What does the doctor mean by “The usual story”?
By “The usual story,” the doctor meant that the dead
woman was another poor, unmarried mother who had suffered alone. It reflected a
common tragedy in that society — helpless women abandoned and forgotten. His
remark shows the harsh and judgmental attitude of Victorian England.
9. What picture of society does this extract present?
The extract shows a cruel and indifferent society
where the poor suffered greatly. Unmarried mothers were judged, and their
children born in misery. The rich ignored their pain, and even doctors showed
little compassion. It reflects Dickens’s criticism of social injustice and
human neglect.
10. What mood and theme dominate this part of the
story?
The mood of the passage is sad and tragic. It shows
the hopeless birth of Oliver in poverty and loss. The main themes are social
injustice, motherhood, suffering, and the cruelty of society towards the poor.
It sets the tone for Oliver’s difficult life ahead.
5. Three-mark questions
1. Describe the circumstances of Oliver Twist’s birth.
Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse, a place for poor
people who had no money or home. His mother, a young and sick woman, lay in bed
exhausted. She had walked a long distance with torn shoes and weak health. A
doctor and an old woman attended her. After giving birth, she held her baby,
kissed him tenderly, and died, leaving Oliver an orphan in a harsh and uncaring
environment.
2. How do the actions of Oliver’s mother show her love
for her child?
Even while weak and dying, Oliver’s mother reached for
her baby. She pressed her cold lips to his face, expressing her affection and
tenderness. Her final act of holding and kissing Oliver demonstrates her deep
maternal love. This moment shows her desire to care for her child despite
knowing she would not survive, highlighting her sacrifice and the tragedy of
his birth.
3. What attempts did the doctor and the old woman make
to console the dying mother?
The doctor told the young mother not to talk about
dying, hoping to comfort her and keep her alive. The old woman added that she
was too young to die, showing concern for her life. Both tried to give her hope
and emotional support. Despite their words, the mother shook her head,
understanding her fate, showing the limits of consolation in the face of
inevitable death and illness in poor conditions.
4. What does the old woman’s behaviour reveal about
her character?
The old woman is compassionate and kind-hearted. She
shows pity for the dying mother, consoles her, and takes care of the baby after
the mother dies. Calling the mother “poor dear” reveals her empathy and gentle
nature. Her behaviour contrasts with the practical, detached attitude of the
doctor, highlighting her human warmth and concern for those who suffer, even in
a harsh and impoverished environment like the workhouse.
5. Describe the doctor’s attitude and remarks during
and after the mother’s death.
The doctor remains calm and factual, showing little
emotion. He confirms the mother’s death and notes that she was a good-looking
girl. He raises her hand to see if she had a ring and remarks “The usual
story,” highlighting that she was unmarried. His remarks show practicality and
social judgment, reflecting the indifference and coldness of society toward
poor, helpless women, contrasting sharply with the old woman’s compassion.
6. What information do we learn about Oliver’s
mother’s background?
Oliver’s mother’s background is mysterious. She was
found lying in the street, weak and exhausted from walking a long distance,
with torn shoes indicating poverty. Nobody knew where she had come from or
where she was going. She was unmarried, as confirmed by the doctor. This lack
of identity emphasizes her vulnerability and highlights the social neglect of
poor women, setting the stage for Oliver’s life as an orphan without family
support.
7. What does the phrase “The usual story” signify in
the passage?
“The usual story” reflects the doctor’s perception
that the death of a poor, unmarried mother was a common occurrence in society.
It signifies indifference and societal judgment, showing that such tragedies
were not extraordinary in Victorian England. This phrase emphasizes the harsh
realities of poverty, social neglect, and the lack of empathy toward vulnerable
women, highlighting Dickens’s criticism of the cruel treatment of the poor.
8. How does Dickens portray society through this
passage?
Dickens portrays society as indifferent and harsh
toward the poor. Unmarried mothers like Oliver’s mother were abandoned,
neglected, and often died in misery. Even professionals, like the doctor,
displayed detachment and judgment. Compassionate figures, like the old woman,
were rare. The story highlights social injustice, inequality, and the struggles
faced by the helpless, setting a critical tone against societal neglect and
poverty in Victorian England.
9. What emotions dominate the passage and how are they
created?
The passage is dominated by sadness, pity, and
tragedy. Dickens creates this mood through the dying mother, her exhausted
state, and the tender way she kisses her baby before death. The helplessness of
the mother, the mystery of her background, and the cold remarks of the doctor
all contribute to a sense of social injustice and human suffering, evoking
sympathy for both Oliver and his mother.
10. Explain the significance of Oliver’s birth in the
story.
Oliver’s birth establishes the central theme of
poverty and helplessness. Being born in a workhouse to a dying, unknown mother,
he immediately becomes an orphan. This beginning sets the tone for his life of
struggle, neglect, and suffering. It highlights social injustice and the
vulnerability of children born into poverty, laying the foundation for
Dickens’s critique of society and the challenges Oliver will face throughout
the story.
Page: 85
Glossary
1. Dinner – The main meal of the day, usually eaten in
the evening.
2. Old woman – In this context, likely a caretaker or
nurse at the workhouse who looks after the babies.
3. Chair – A seat with a back, used here to describe
where the old woman sat.
4. Fire – A fireplace or hearth, used for warmth and
cooking in the workhouse.
5. Dress the baby – To put clothes on the baby.
6. Very old clothes – Worn-out garments; here, clothes
reused for multiple babies born in the workhouse.
7. Orphan – A child whose parents are dead or unknown.
8. World which had no love or pity – A description of
the harsh and uncaring society in which Oliver was born.
9. Discover – To find out or learn something.
10. Baby’s father / mother’s name – Refers to the
unknown parents of Oliver Twist.
11. Mr Bumble – An important officer of the workhouse,
responsible for administration and naming children.
12. Invented a name – Created or made up a name for
the baby.
13. Oliver Twist – The name given to the baby by Mr
Bumble.
14. In order from A to Z – A method of naming children
sequentially using letters of the alphabet.
15. Swubble / Twist / Unwin – Examples of names
assigned to babies in alphabetical order
16. Pale – Having a light or unhealthy color, often
showing illness or weakness.
17. Thin – Lacking weight or nourishment;
undernourished.
18. Workhouse boys – Children living in the workhouse
who performed tasks and lived under strict regulations.
19. Warm clothes – Garments that provide protection
against cold weather.
20. Meals of thin soup – Inadequate and watery food
given to the children, reflecting scarcity.
21. Piece of bread – A small portion of food, here the
Sunday ration.
22. Big hall – Large room where children ate their
meals.
23. Pot – A large container used for cooking or
serving soup.
24. Master – The person in charge of distributing food
in the workhouse.
25. Bowl – A round dish used to hold the soup.
26. Disappeared quickly – Finished rapidly; the soup
was eaten immediately.
27. Whispered and made signs – Secretly communicated
with gestures or quiet speech.
28. Bowl and spoon in his hands – The utensils Oliver
carried to ask for more soup.
29. “Please, sir, I want some more” – Famous line by
Oliver expressing his bold request for extra food.
Paraphrase
After finishing his meal, the man went home.
Meanwhile, the old woman, who looked after the children in the workhouse, sat
down on a chair near the fireplace. She began to dress the newborn baby, using
the very old clothes that were routinely given to infants born in the
workhouse. These clothes had been worn by many babies before. The baby had no
parents—he was an orphan—and was born into a harsh world that showed him
neither love nor compassion.
No one knew who the child’s father was or what his
mother’s name had been. To solve the problem of naming him, Mr Bumble, a
significant official in the town responsible for workhouse administration, made
up a name for the baby. He decided to call him Oliver Twist. When people asked
him about the unusual name, he explained that all babies in the workhouse were
given names in alphabetical order. He said that the previous child had been
called Swubble, this one would be Twist, and the next one would be named Unwin.
By the time Oliver was nine years old, he was a pale
and thin boy. Like the other children in the workhouse, he suffered from
inadequate clothing and food. Each day, the boys received only three meals of
thin, watery soup, and on Sundays, they were given a small piece of bread as
their only additional food.
The children ate together in a large hall. At one end
of the room stood a large pot from which the master served the soup. Each boy
was allowed only a small bowl, and the portions were so small that the bowls
never needed washing—they would clean them thoroughly with their spoons until
they were spotless.
One day, the children decided to try something bold:
one of them would approach the master after supper and ask for more soup.
Oliver was chosen for this daring task.
That evening, after the children had taken their seats
at the tables and the master began serving the soup, Oliver noticed that the
portion quickly disappeared. The other boys whispered to him and signalled him
to act. Summoning all his courage, Oliver stood up, carrying his bowl and
spoon, and approached the master. In a polite and respectful voice, he made the
unforgettable request:
“Please, sir, I want some more.”
QUESTIONS
1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who sat down in front of the fire to dress the
baby?
a) Mr. Bumble
b) The old woman
c) Oliver’s mother
d) The master
Answer: b) The old woman
2. What type of clothes was the baby dressed in?
a) New clothes
b) Fancy clothes
c) Very old clothes
d) Warm clothes
Answer: c) Very old clothes
3. What was Oliver Twist’s family situation at birth?
a) He had both parents
b) He was an orphan
c) Only his father was alive
d) He had a large family
Answer: b) He was an orphan
4. Who gave the baby the name Oliver Twist?
a) The old woman
b) Mr. Bumble
c) The master
d) The doctor
Answer: b) Mr. Bumble
5. How did Mr. Bumble choose the names for the babies?
a) Based on family names
b) In alphabetical order from A to Z
c) Randomly
d) Using popular names
Answer: b) In alphabetical order from A to Z
6. Which name came before Oliver Twist in the
workhouse?
a) Unwin
b) Swubble
c) Smith
d) Twist
Answer: b) Swubble
7. Which name was supposed to come after Oliver Twist?
a) Unwin
b) Swubble
c) Bumble
d) Oliver
Answer: a) Unwin
8. How old was Oliver when he was described as pale
and thin?
a) Five
b) Seven
c) Nine
d) Eleven
Answer: c) Nine
9. How many meals did the workhouse boys get every
day?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer: c) Three
10. What type of food did they receive daily?
a) Meat and vegetables
b) Thin soup
c) Bread and butter
d) Rice and curry
Answer: b) Thin soup
11. What did the boys get on Sundays in addition to
soup?
a) Meat
b) Cheese
c) A small piece of bread
d) Fruits
Answer: c) A small piece of bread
12. Where did the boys eat their meals?
a) In their rooms
b) In a small kitchen
c) In a big hall
d) Outside
Answer: c) In a big hall
13. Who served the soup to the boys?
a) The old woman
b) The master
c) Mr. Bumble
d) Oliver Twist
Answer: b) The master
14. Why did the bowls never need washing?
a) They were disposable
b) The soup was too little
c) The boys cleaned them with their spoons
d) The master washed them
Answer: c) The boys cleaned them with their spoons
15. Who was chosen to ask the master for more soup?
a) Mr. Bumble
b) The master
c) Oliver
d) The oldest boy
Answer: c) Oliver
16. How did the boys signal Oliver to ask for more
soup?
a) By shouting
b) By whispering and making signs
c) By leaving the hall
d) By calling Mr. Bumble
Answer: b) By whispering and making signs
17. What did Oliver carry to ask for more soup?
a) His plate
b) His bowl and spoon
c) A cup
d) A pot
Answer: b) His bowl and spoon
18. What famous line did Oliver say to the master?
a) “May I leave?”
b) “Please, sir, I want some more.”
c) “Thank you, sir.”
d) “I am full.”
Answer: b) “Please, sir, I want some more.”
19. Why was the baby born into “a world which had no
love or pity”?
a) Because he was weak
b) Because he was an orphan in a harsh society
c) Because the workhouse was beautiful
d) Because he was wealthy
Answer: b) Because he was an orphan in a harsh society
20. Who was Mr. Bumble?
a) The workhouse doctor
b) An important officer in the town
c) The master of the boys
d) Oliver’s father
Answer: b) An important officer in the town
21. Which of the following describes Oliver at age
nine?
a) Healthy and strong
b) Pale and thin
c) Fat and happy
d) Taller than the others
Answer: b) Pale and thin
22. What does the “pot at one end of the room” refer
to?
a) A cooking vessel for soup
b) A flower pot
c) A storage container
d) A water pot
Answer: a) A cooking vessel for soup
23. How did the children feel about their meals?
a) They were satisfied
b) They were hungry and wanted more
c) They were full
d) They disliked the food
Answer: b) They were hungry and wanted more
24. Why did the children plan to send one boy to the
master?
a) To complain about the master
b) To ask for more food
c) To thank the master
d) To leave the workhouse
Answer: b) To ask for more food
25. How were the children served their meals?
a) Freely from the table
b) From a large pot by the master
c) By themselves
d) By Mr. Bumble personally
Answer: b) From a large pot by the master
26. What does “the soup disappeared quickly” indicate?
a) The soup was hot
b) The children ate it immediately because it was
little
c) The master took it away
d) The pot was empty
Answer: b) The children ate it immediately because it
was little
27. Why did Oliver speak politely to the master?
a) He was afraid
b) It was a formal request
c) He wanted to insult him
d) He was confident
Answer: b) It was a formal request
28. What is a “workhouse”?
a) A place for wealthy children
b) A shelter for poor and orphaned children
c) A school
d) A playground
Answer: b) A shelter for poor and orphaned children
29. Which of these, best describes the workhouse
children’s life?
a) Luxurious and easy
b) Harsh and undernourished
c) Fun and playful
d) Peaceful and loving
Answer: b) Harsh and undernourished
30. What moral theme is highlighted by Oliver asking
for more soup?
a) Courage and innocence
b) Laziness
c) Cruelty
d) Obedience
Answer: a) Courage and innocence
2. One-Mark Questions
1. Where did the old woman sit to dress the baby?
Answer: She sat on a chair in front of the fire.
2. What did the old woman begin to do with the baby?
Answer: She began to dress him.
3. What kind of clothes was Oliver dressed in as a
baby?
Answer: Very old clothes used for babies born in the
workhouse.
4. What was Oliver’s status at birth?
Answer: He was an orphan.
5. Who invented the name Oliver Twist?
Answer: Mr. Bumble.
6. Why did Mr. Bumble give the baby a name?
Answer: Because no one knew the baby’s parents’ names.
7. How did the workhouse name new babies?
Answer: In alphabetical order from A to Z.
8. Which name came before Twist in the workhouse?
Answer: Swubble.
9. Which name was supposed to come after Twist?
Answer: Unwin.
10. How old was Oliver when he was described as pale
and thin?
Answer: Nine years old.
11. Did Oliver and the other boys have enough clothes
and food?
Answer: No, they never had enough warm clothes or
food.
12. How many meals of soup were the boys given every
day?
Answer: Three meals of thin soup.
13. What did the boys receive in addition to soup on
Sundays?
Answer: A small piece of bread.
14. Where were the children fed?
Answer: In a big hall.
15. Who served the soup to the boys?
Answer: The master.
16. Why did the bowls never need washing?
Answer: The boys cleaned them with their spoons until
they shone.
17. Who was chosen to ask the master for more soup?
Answer: Oliver.
18. How did the boys communicate with Oliver to
encourage him?
Answer: They whispered and made signs.
19. What did Oliver carry when he approached the
master?
Answer: His bowl and spoon.
20. What exact words did Oliver say to ask for more
soup?
Answer: “Please, sir, I want some more.”
21. What does the “world which had no love or pity”
refer to?
Answer: The harsh and uncaring society into which
Oliver was born.
22. Who was Mr. Bumble?
Answer: An important officer in the town responsible
for the workhouse.
23. How did the children feel about their small
portions of food?
Answer: They were hungry and wanted more.
24. What characteristic did Oliver show by asking for
more soup?
Answer: Courage and boldness.
25. What was the significance of the master standing
by the pot?
Answer: He was in charge of serving the limited food
to the boys.
3. REFERENCE TO C ONTEXT
Extract 1
"The old woman sat down on a chair in front of
the fire and began to dress the baby."
Questions
1. Who sat down in front of the fire?
Answer: The old woman.
2. What did the old woman begin to do?
Answer: She began to dress the baby.
3. Where did the old woman sit?
Answer: On a chair in front of the fire.
4. Who was being dressed by the old woman?
Answer: The baby.
5. What does this tell us about the care of babies in
the workhouse?
Answer: It shows that the children were looked after
by caretakers, but under simple and harsh conditions.
Extract 2
"The child was an orphan, born into a world which
had no love or pity for him."
Questions
1. What was the status of the child?
Answer: He was an orphan.
2. How was the world described?
Answer: As a world which had no love or pity.
3. What does “no love or pity” indicate?
Answer: That society was harsh and uncaring towards
the poor.
4. Who does “him” refer to in the sentence?
Answer: The baby, Oliver Twist.
5. What kind of environment was Oliver born into?
Answer: A cruel and uncaring environment.
Extract 3
"No one was able to discover who the baby's
father was, or what his mother's name was."
Questions
1. Who was unknown according to the extract?
Answer: The baby’s father and mother.
2. What could no one discover?
Answer: The identities of Oliver’s parents.
3. Why was the baby given a name?
Answer: Because his parents’ identities were unknown.
4. Who is “the baby” in the context?
Answer: Oliver Twist.
5. What does this tell us about the records in the
workhouse?
Answer: They were incomplete or the parents’
information was not available.
Extract 4
"Mr Bumble, an important officer in the town,
invented a name for the baby."
Questions
1. Who invented the baby’s name?
Answer: Mr. Bumble.
2. What was Mr. Bumble’s position?
Answer: An important officer in the town.
3. Why did he invent a name?
Answer: Because the baby’s parents were unknown.
4. What does “invented a name” mean?
Answer: He made up a name.
5. Who does this show had authority over the babies?
Answer: Mr. Bumble, as a workhouse official.
Extract 5
"We name the new babies here in order from A to
Z,' he explained when people asked."
Questions
1. How were the babies named in the workhouse?
Answer: In alphabetical order from A to Z.
2. Who explained this?
Answer: Mr. Bumble.
3. Why did people ask about the names?
Answer: Because the names were unusual.
4. What does this system of naming show?
Answer: That the workhouse had a formal but impersonal
system.
5. Which letters had already been used before Oliver?
Answer: The letter “S” (Swubble).
Extract 6
"At the age of nine, Oliver was a pale, thin
child."
Questions
1. How old was Oliver at this point?
Answer: Nine years old.
2. How was Oliver described?
Answer: Pale and thin.
3. What does “pale” suggest?
Answer: He was weak or undernourished.
4. What does “thin” indicate?
Answer: Lack of proper food and health.
5. Why was Oliver in poor condition?
Answer: Because the workhouse provided insufficient
food and clothing.
Extract 7
"They were given only three meals of thin soup
every day. On Sundays they had a small piece of bread."
Questions
1. How many meals did the children get daily?
Answer: Three meals.
2. What kind of food was served?
Answer: Thin soup.
3. What extra food did they get on Sundays?
Answer: A small piece of bread.
4. What does this indicate about the workhouse?
Answer: That it provided very little nourishment.
5. How might this affect the children’s health?
Answer: They would be weak, pale, and undernourished.
Extract 8
"Each boy had one small bowl of soup and no
more."
Questions
1. How much soup did each boy receive?
Answer: One small bowl.
2. Was extra soup allowed?
Answer: No.
3. What does this tell us about the workhouse meals?
Answer: The portions were extremely limited.
4. Who ensured the portions were small?
Answer: The master serving the soup.
5. What effect did this have on the boys?
Answer: It made them hungry and weak.
Extract 9
"One day Oliver and his friends decided that one
boy would walk up to the master after supper and ask for more soup."
Questions
1. What plan did the boys make?
Answer: To send one boy to ask for more soup.
2. Who was chosen to ask for more?
Answer: Oliver.
3. When was this supposed to happen?
Answer: After supper.
4. Why did they decide to do this?
Answer: Because they were hungry and wanted more food.
5. What does this show about Oliver?
Answer: That he was brave and willing to act for the
group.
Extract 10
"‘Please, sir,’ he said, ‘I want some
more.’"
Questions
1. Who spoke this line?
Answer: Oliver Twist.
2. To whom was it spoken?
Answer: To the master.
3. What did Oliver ask for?
Answer: More soup.
4. How did Oliver speak?
Answer: Politely and respectfully.
5. Why is this line famous?
Answer: It shows Oliver’s courage and innocence in
asking for his basic rights.
4. Two-Mark Questions
1. Who dressed the baby in the workhouse, and what
kind of clothes was he given?
Answer: The old woman, a caretaker at the workhouse,
dressed the baby. She used very old clothes that had been worn by other babies
born in the workhouse. These clothes reflected the scarcity and harsh
conditions faced by orphaned children in a world that offered them little care
or comfort.
2. Why was Oliver Twist called an orphan?
Answer: Oliver Twist was called an orphan because no
one knew who his parents were. His father’s identity was unknown, and his
mother’s name was not recorded. Being an orphan meant he had no family support
and was born into a harsh world with little love or pity for children like him.
3. Who was Mr. Bumble, and what was his role in naming
Oliver?
Answer: Mr. Bumble was an important officer in the
town responsible for the workhouse. Since Oliver’s parents were unknown, Mr.
Bumble invented a name for him. He explained that babies in the workhouse were
named in alphabetical order. Thus, he chose “Oliver Twist” as the child’s
official name.
4. Explain how babies were named in the workhouse.
Answer: In the workhouse, babies were named
alphabetically from A to Z. Mr. Bumble explained that the previous baby had
been called Swubble, and Oliver received the name Twist. The next baby would be
named Unwin. This system was formal and impersonal, showing the workhouse’s
strict rules and lack of personal care.
5. Describe Oliver’s physical condition at the age of
nine.
Answer: At nine years old, Oliver was pale and thin.
The harsh conditions of the workhouse, such as insufficient food and inadequate
clothing, affected his health. His weak and frail appearance reflected
malnutrition and the neglect experienced by children living under the strict
and uncaring supervision of the workhouse authorities.
6. What kind of meals did the workhouse boys receive
every day?
Answer: The workhouse boys were given three meals of
thin soup daily. On Sundays, they received a small piece of bread in addition
to the soup. The food was insufficient and barely nourishing, highlighting the
poverty and strict rationing in the workhouse. The boys often remained hungry
despite these meals.
7. Where did the boys eat their meals, and who served
the food?
Answer: The boys ate their meals in a large hall. A
master stood at one end of the room and served the soup from a large pot. Each
boy received a small portion, and the children were responsible for cleaning
their bowls, as the food portions were minimal and strictly controlled.
8. Why did the bowls never need washing in the
workhouse?
Answer: The bowls never needed washing because the
boys cleaned them thoroughly with their spoons until they shone. This shows the
extreme scarcity of resources and the strict routine enforced in the workhouse,
where even cleaning utensils became the responsibility of the hungry children
themselves.
9. What plan did Oliver and the other boys make to get
more soup?
Answer: The boys decided that one of them would
approach the master after supper to ask for more soup. Oliver was chosen for
this task. They communicated using whispers and gestures. This plan showed the
children’s hunger, bravery, and willingness to take risks to get a little extra
food.
10. How did Oliver approach the master to ask for more
food?
Answer: Oliver stood up, holding his bowl and spoon,
and approached the master politely. He addressed him with respect and said,
“Please, sir, I want some more.” His request was simple but courageous,
demonstrating his innocence, honesty, and boldness in standing up for himself
despite fear and the workhouse’s strict rules.
11. What does Oliver’s famous line reveal about his
character?
Answer: Oliver’s line, “Please, sir, I want some
more,” reveals his courage and innocence. Despite fear of punishment, he
politely asks for basic necessities. The statement reflects his honesty,
directness, and moral simplicity. It also highlights the harsh conditions of
the workhouse that forced a child to make such a bold request.
12. How does the author describe the world into which
Oliver was born?
Answer: The author describes Oliver’s world as one
lacking love or pity. Being an orphan in a society that ignored the poor, he
faced cruelty and neglect from the very beginning. This description emphasizes
the harshness of 19th-century English society and sets the stage for Oliver’s
struggles and moral development.
13. Why were Oliver and other children given only thin
soup and bread?
Answer: The children were given thin soup and small
bread portions because the workhouse followed strict rules of rationing due to
limited resources. The meagre diet reflected the neglect and poverty of the
institution. It also shows the social injustice faced by the poor and orphaned
children in that era.
14. What does the old woman’s role in the workhouse
signify?
Answer: The old woman’s role, dressing and caring for
the babies, signifies the limited care available to orphans. While she provided
basic physical care, the environment was harsh and impersonal. Her actions
highlight the minimal attention and resources given to the children, reflecting
the systemic neglect in the workhouse.
15. How did the workhouse system affect the children
physically and mentally?
Answer: The workhouse system left the children weak,
undernourished, and pale due to insufficient food and clothing. Mentally, they
lived in fear, deprivation, and harsh discipline. They learned to survive under
strict rules, which affected their confidence and emotional development.
Oliver’s bold act shows resilience despite these adverse conditions.
5. Three-mark questions
1. Describe the circumstances of Oliver’s birth and
early care in the workhouse.
Answer: Oliver was born in a workhouse, a place for
poor children with no parents. His mother lay ill and soon died, leaving him an
orphan in a harsh, uncaring world. The old woman, a caretaker, dressed him in
very old clothes previously used by other babies. He had no family, and no one
knew his parents’ identities. Mr. Bumble gave him the name Oliver Twist,
continuing the alphabetical naming system used in the workhouse.
2. Who was Mr. Bumble, and how did he contribute to
Oliver’s early life?
Answer: Mr. Bumble was an important officer in the
town responsible for the workhouse. He managed administrative tasks and naming
of babies. Since Oliver’s parents were unknown, Mr. Bumble invented his name,
following the alphabetical system. He chose “Twist” after the previous baby,
Swubble. His role shows the impersonal authority of the workhouse and the
formal, often cruel, treatment of orphaned children, highlighting the lack of
personal care and affection in Oliver’s early life.
3. Explain the living conditions of Oliver and the
other workhouse boys.
Answer: Oliver and other boys lived under harsh
conditions, with inadequate food and clothing. They received three thin meals
of soup daily, with only a small piece of bread on Sundays. Meals were eaten in
a big hall, served by the master. The boys were pale, thin, and weak due to
malnutrition. Their bowls were so small they had to clean them with their
spoons. These conditions reflect the neglect and cruelty of the workhouse
system.
4. What prompted Oliver and his friends to plan asking
for more soup?
Answer: The children were hungry and dissatisfied with
the meagre portions of soup. They could not eat enough to satisfy their hunger.
To get more food, they decided that one boy would approach the master after
supper. Oliver was chosen for this task. They communicated with whispers and
signs. This plan shows the children’s resourcefulness, courage, and desperation
under deprivation, highlighting both their innocence and the cruelty of the
workhouse that forced a child to make such a bold request.
5. Describe the famous scene in which Oliver asks for
more soup.
Answer: During supper, Oliver, carrying his bowl and
spoon, approached the master politely. Following the encouragement of his
friends, he spoke respectfully and said, “Please, sir, I want some more.” This
act was daring because asking for more food was considered audacious in the
strict workhouse. Oliver’s request showed his innocence, honesty, and moral
courage. It also revealed the harsh treatment of the children and became a
symbol of the cruelty of the workhouse system.
6. How did the author portray the society into which
Oliver was born?
Answer: Dickens portrayed Oliver’s society as harsh,
uncaring, and indifferent to the poor. Being an orphan, Oliver entered a world
that showed no love or pity. The workhouse system exemplified this neglect,
providing minimal food and clothing. The strict rules and impersonal treatment
reflected a society that valued order over compassion. Dickens highlights the
social injustices of 19th-century England, creating sympathy for Oliver and
criticizing the institutions responsible for the suffering of innocent children.
7. Explain how the workhouse system affected children
physically and emotionally.
Answer: The workhouse system left children pale, thin,
and weak due to insufficient food and clothing. The strict routines and harsh
discipline caused fear, stress, and emotional deprivation. They learned to
survive in an impersonal, cruel environment. Despite this, some children, like
Oliver, showed courage and moral strength. The system stunted physical and
emotional growth, highlighting the injustice and neglect faced by poor and
orphaned children in society. Dickens uses these effects to evoke empathy and
criticism.
8. What does the naming system in the workhouse
indicate about the institution?
Answer: The alphabetical naming system, where Mr.
Bumble named babies from A to Z, shows the impersonal and bureaucratic nature
of the workhouse. Individual identity and family connections were disregarded.
Names were assigned mechanically, reflecting the lack of personal care,
emotional warmth, and attention. This system emphasizes how the institution
treated children as numbers or objects, rather than human beings deserving
love, reinforcing Dickens’ critique of societal neglect.
9. What qualities does Oliver display when he asks for
more soup?
Answer: Oliver displays courage, honesty, and
innocence when he asks for more soup. Despite fear of punishment, he speaks
politely and respectfully to the master. His boldness reflects his moral
integrity and human need for sustenance. This moment also highlights his
resilience in adversity and contrasts with the cruelty of the workhouse, making
him a sympathetic character and symbol of natural goodness facing social
injustice.
10. How does Dickens use Oliver’s early experiences to
criticize society?
Answer: Dickens uses Oliver’s suffering—hunger,
neglect, and harsh treatment—to criticize the cruelty and indifference of
society toward the poor. The workhouse, inadequate food, impersonal naming, and
strict rules demonstrate institutional injustice. Through Oliver’s innocence
and courage, Dickens evokes sympathy and highlights social inequality,
advocating reform and compassion for children deprived of basic care in
19th-century England.
Page:86
Glossary
1. Master – The person in charge of the workhouse; in
this context, the one who oversees the boys.
2. Fat – Overweight, well-fed; describes the master’s
physical appearance.
3. Pale – Having a lighter skin tone than usual, often
due to shock, fear, or illness.
4. Surprise – A feeling of shock or amazement caused
by something unexpected.
5. Spoon – A small utensil used for eating soup or
other food.
6. Seized – Grabbed suddenly and forcefully.
7. Cried for help – Called out loudly to get
assistance.
8. Mr Bumble – The beadle (official) of the workhouse,
responsible for discipline and administration.
9. Notice – A written announcement posted in a public
place.
10. Workhouse gate – The entrance to the workhouse,
often where announcements were made.
11. Offered – Presented or proposed something for
acceptance.
12. Prisoner – Someone who is confined or kept in
captivity.
13. Cold, dark room – Describes a room that is
uncomfortable, unheated, and without light; used for punishment.
14. Wash – Clean oneself, often as part of a daily
routine.
15. Beat with a stick – Punish someone physically
using a stick.
16. Large hall – A big room in the workhouse where all
the boys gathered to eat or do activities.
17. Soup – A liquid food, often watery and thin, given
to the boys in the workhouse.
18. Cried – Shed tears; expressed pain or sorrow
audibly.
19. High workhouse gate – The tall entrance to the
workhouse, signifying its authority and separation from the outside world.
20. Coffins – Boxes used to bury dead bodies.
21. Tall, thin man – Physical description of Mr
Sowerberry, the undertaker.
22. Wore black clothes – Traditional attire for
undertakers or mourning.
23. Made coffins – Crafted wooden boxes for burying
the dead.
24. Dead bodies – Corpses of deceased people.
25. Prepared the coffins – Ready the coffins for use,
usually for burial.
26. Rich one day – A remark implying future
prosperity.
27. Raised his stick – Lifted a stick, usually as a
gesture to point or threaten.
28. Pointed to the notice – Indicated or drew
attention to the written announcement.
Paraphrase
The master of the workhouse was a heavy, well-fed man,
appearing strong and healthy, but at that moment he suddenly turned very pale,
as if shocked. He stared at the small boy with astonishment.
After a pause, he spoke in a quiet, controlled voice,
asking, “What?”
Oliver, summoning all his courage, repeated his
request politely: “Please, sir, I want some more.”
The master was furious. He struck Oliver with his
spoon and immediately grabbed him, shouting for assistance. Mr Bumble, the
beadle of the workhouse, hurried into the room. The master explained to him
what had happened and what Oliver had said.
“Did he actually ask for more?” Mr Bumble exclaimed in
disbelief. “It is unimaginable! One day, that boy will cause someone to hang
him.”
Mr Bumble then took Oliver away and locked him in a
dark, cold room. The next morning, a notice appeared at the workhouse gate
stating that a reward of five pounds would be given to anyone willing to take
Oliver.
Oliver remained imprisoned in that gloomy room for an
entire week. Each morning, he was taken outside to wash, but Mr Bumble punished
him with a stick. Later, he was brought into the large hall where the other
boys were eating their thin soup, and there, in front of everyone, Mr Bumble
struck him again. Oliver spent the whole day in tears. When night fell, he
tried to sleep, but he felt cold, lonely, and terrified.
One day, while walking outside the tall gate of the
workhouse, Mr Bumble encountered Mr Sowerberry, a tall, thin man who dressed in
black and worked as an undertaker, making coffins. Many of his coffins were for
the poor people who had died in the workhouse.
“I have prepared the coffins for the two women who
passed away last night,” Mr Sowerberry told Mr Bumble.
“Good,” Mr Bumble replied. “You will be rich one day,
Mr Sowerberry! Do you know anyone who would want to take a boy for five
pounds?” He then lifted his stick and pointed to the notice displayed on the
gate.
QUESTIONS
1. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. How did the master react when Oliver asked for more
food?
a) He smiled
b) He turned pale and was surprised
c) He laughed loudly
d) He ignored Oliver
Answer: b) He turned pale and was surprised
2. What did Oliver say to the master?
a) “I am full”
b) “Please, sir, I want some more”
c) “Can I go outside?”
d) “I am leaving”
Answer: b) “Please, sir, I want some more”
3. What object did the master hit Oliver with?
a) A stick
b) A spoon
c) A book
d) His hand
Answer: b) A spoon
4. Who rushed into the room when the master called for
help?
a) Mr Sowerberry
b) The cook
c) Mr Bumble
d) Another boy
Answer: c) Mr Bumble
5. How did Mr Bumble react to Oliver’s request?
a) He praised Oliver
b) He could not believe it and warned of punishment
c) He laughed
d) He ignored it
Answer: b) He could not believe it and warned of
punishment
6. Where was Oliver taken after the incident?
a) To the kitchen
b) To the yard
c) To a dark room
d) To the garden
Answer: c) To a dark room
7. How long was Oliver kept in the dark room?
a) One day
b) Three days
c) A whole week
d) Two weeks
Answer: c) A whole week
8. What did Mr Bumble use to punish Oliver?
a) Rope
b) Stick
c) Spoon
d) Belt
Answer: b) Stick
9. Where were the boys made to eat their soup?
a) In the kitchen
b) In a large hall
c) Outside the workhouse
d) In their rooms
Answer: b) In a large hall
10. How did Oliver feel at night?
a) Happy and safe
b) Cold, lonely, and frightened
c) Angry and strong
d) Excited
Answer: b) Cold, lonely, and frightened
11. Who did Mr Bumble meet outside the workhouse gate?
a) Mr Brownlow
b) Mr Sowerberry
c) Fagin
d) Mr Fang
Answer: b) Mr Sowerberry
12. What was Mr Sowerberry’s profession?
a) Baker
b) Teacher
c) Undertaker (made coffins)
d) Carpenter
Answer: c) Undertaker (made coffins)
13. What colour clothes did Mr Sowerberry wear?
a) White
b) Blue
c) Black
d) Brown
Answer: c) Black
14. What did Mr Sowerberry say about the coffins?
a) He had sold them
b) He had prepared coffins for two women who died last
night
c) He refused to make coffins
d) He wanted more money
Answer: b) He had prepared coffins for two women who
died last night
15. How much money was offered for anyone who would
take Oliver?
a) Two pounds
b) Three pounds
c) Five pounds
d) Ten pounds
Answer: c) Five pounds
16. Where was the notice about Oliver posted?
a) On a tree
b) At the workhouse gate
c) In the hall
d) In the market
Answer: b) At the workhouse gate
17. What did Mr Bumble lift to point to the notice?
a) His hand
b) His stick
c) A lantern
d) A piece of paper
Answer: b) His stick
18. How did the master’s reaction to Oliver’s request
show his character?
a) Kind and generous
b) Surprised and angry
c) Confused but calm
d) Happy and proud
Answer: b) Surprised and angry
19. How did Oliver spend his days in the dark room?
a) Sleeping peacefully
b) Crying all day
c) Playing with other boys
d) Reading books
Answer: b) Crying all day
20. What does the punishment in front of other boys
signify?
a) Discipline through fear
b) Encouragement
c) Celebration
d) Teaching manners
Answer: a) Discipline through fear
21. Why was Mr Sowerberry considered important to the
workhouse?
a) He cooked food
b) He made coffins for the poor
c) He taught the boys
d) He repaired the building
Answer: b) He made coffins for the poor
22. Which word best describes Oliver’s tone when
asking for more?
a) Polite
b) Demanding
c) Angry
d) Humorous
Answer: a) Polite
23. How did the master convey authority?
a) By laughing
b) By hitting Oliver and calling for help
c) By running away
d) By giving food
Answer: b) By hitting Oliver and calling for help
24. What does the offer of five pounds indicate about
Oliver’s situation?
a) He was valued highly
b) He was unwanted
c) He was free to leave
d) He was wealthy
Answer: b) He was unwanted
25. How are the poor treated in the workhouse?
a) With care and respect
b) With cruelty and harshness
c) With kindness
d) With generosity
Answer: b) With cruelty and harshness
26. What emotion does the master display after hearing
Oliver’s request?
a) Joy
b) Shock and anger
c) Pride
d) Relief
Answer: b) Shock and anger
27. What is implied by the master turning pale?
a) He was sleepy
b) He was surprised and unsettled
c) He was hungry
d) He was happy
Answer: b) He was surprised and unsettled
28. Why did Mr Bumble threaten that Oliver might be
hanged one day?
a) To scare him
b) To praise him
c) To reward him
d) To invite him
Answer: a) To scare him
29. What lesson does Oliver’s request for more teach
about his character?
a) He is selfish
b) He is brave and honest
c) He is fearful
d) He is lazy
Answer: b) He is brave and honest
30. What does Mr Bumble’s interaction with Mr
Sowerberry reveal about workhouse society?
a) Cooperation for good
b) Focus on profit and survival
c) Education of boys
d) Celebration of poor
Answer: b) Focus on profit and survival
2. One Mark Questions
1. Who was the master of the workhouse?
Answer: The master of the workhouse was a fat, healthy
man in charge of the boys.
2. How did the master react when Oliver asked for
more?
Answer: The master turned pale and looked at Oliver
with surprise.
3. What did Oliver say to the master?
Answer: Oliver politely said, “Please, sir, I want
some more.”
4. What did the master do after Oliver asked for more?
Answer: The master hit Oliver with his spoon and
seized him, crying for help.
5. Who came to help the master?
Answer: Mr Bumble rushed into the room to help the
master.
6. What was Mr Bumble’s reaction to Oliver asking for
more?
Answer: Mr Bumble could not believe it and said that
one day the boy might be hanged.
7. Where was Oliver taken after the incident?
Answer: Oliver was taken to a dark room and shut in as
a punishment.
8. How long did Oliver stay in the dark room?
Answer: Oliver stayed in the dark room for a whole
week.
9. What did Mr Bumble use to beat Oliver?
Answer: Mr Bumble beat Oliver with a stick.
10. Where did the boys eat their soup?
Answer: The boys ate their soup in a large hall.
11. How did Oliver feel at night in the dark room?
Answer: Oliver felt cold, lonely, and frightened at
night.
12. Who did Mr Bumble meet outside the workhouse gate?
Answer: Mr Bumble met Mr Sowerberry outside the
workhouse gate.
13. What was Mr Sowerberry’s job?
Answer: Mr Sowerberry was an undertaker who made
coffins.
14. What kind of clothes did Mr Sowerberry wear?
Answer: Mr Sowerberry wore black clothes.
15. How much money was offered to anyone who would
take Oliver?
Answer: Five pounds were offered to anyone who would
take Oliver.
16. Where was the notice about Oliver posted?
Answer: The notice was posted on the workhouse gate.
17. What did Mr Bumble do to point out the notice?
Answer: Mr Bumble raised his stick and pointed to the
notice.
18. How were poor people treated in the workhouse?
Answer: Poor people were treated harshly and without
care in the workhouse.
19. What does Oliver asking for more show about his
character?
Answer: It shows that Oliver was brave and honest.
20. Why did Mr Bumble say Oliver might be hanged one
day?
Answer: Mr Bumble said this to show that asking for
more was considered very shocking and unacceptable.
3. REFERENCE TO CONTEXT
Extract 1:
“The master was a fat, healthy man, but he went very
pale. He looked with surprise at the small boy.”
Questions:
1. Who is described in this extract?
Answer: The master of the workhouse is described.
2. How did the master look at the boy?
Answer: He looked at the boy with surprise.
3. What happened to the master’s appearance?
Answer: He went very pale.
4. What can be inferred about the master’s reaction?
Answer: He was shocked and could not believe what he
heard.
5. Who is the “small boy” mentioned?
Answer: The “small boy” is Oliver Twist.
Extract 2:
‘Please, sir,’ repeated Oliver, ‘I want some more.’
Questions:
1. Who is speaking in this extract?
Answer: Oliver Twist is speaking.
2. What is Oliver requesting?
Answer: He is requesting more food.
3. How does Oliver speak?
Answer: He speaks politely.
4. Why is this request surprising to the master?
Answer: Because asking for more was considered
unacceptable in the workhouse.
5. What does this line reveal about Oliver’s
character?
Answer: It shows that Oliver is brave and honest.
Extract 3:
The master hit Oliver with his spoon, then seized him
and cried for help.
Questions:
1. What did the master do to Oliver?
Answer: He hit Oliver with his spoon and seized him.
2. What did the master do after hitting Oliver?
Answer: He cried for help.
3. How did the master react to Oliver’s request?
Answer: He reacted angrily and violently.
4. What object was used to punish Oliver?
Answer: A spoon.
5. Who is expected to respond to the master’s cry for
help?
Answer: Mr Bumble.
Extract 4:
Mr Bumble rushed into the room, and the master told
him what Oliver had said.
Questions:
1. Who rushed into the room?
Answer: Mr Bumble rushed into the room.
2. Why did Mr Bumble come?
Answer: He came because the master called for help.
3. What did the master tell Mr Bumble?
Answer: He told him that Oliver asked for more.
4. What is Mr Bumble’s role in the workhouse?
Answer: He is the beadle responsible for discipline.
5. How did Mr Bumble react to the news?
Answer: He could not believe it and said Oliver might
be hanged one day.
Extract 5:
He took Oliver away and shut him in a dark room.
Questions:
1. Who took Oliver away?
Answer: Mr Bumble took Oliver away.
2. Where was Oliver taken?
Answer: He was taken to a dark room.
3. Why was Oliver shut in the room?
Answer: As a punishment for asking for more food.
4. What does the dark room symbolize?
Answer: Harsh treatment and loneliness.
5. How does Oliver feel in the dark room?
Answer: He feels frightened and lonely.
Extract 6:
Every morning, he was taken outside to wash, and Mr
Bumble beat him with a stick.
Questions:
1. What was Oliver made to do every morning?
Answer: He was taken outside to wash.
2. Who punished Oliver?
Answer: Mr Bumble punished him.
3. How was he punished?
Answer: He was beaten with a stick.
4. Did the punishment happen in private?
Answer: No, it happened in front of other boys too.
5. What does this treatment indicate about workhouse
life?
Answer: It was cruel and harsh for poor children.
Extract 7:
Then he was taken into the large hall where the boys
had their soup. Mr Bumble beat him in front of everybody.
Questions:
1. Where was Oliver taken after washing?
Answer: He was taken into the large hall.
2. What were the other boys doing?
Answer: They were having their soup.
3. Who punished Oliver in the hall?
Answer: Mr Bumble.
4. How did the punishment occur?
Answer: He was beaten in front of everybody.
5. What does this reveal about the master and Mr
Bumble’s methods?
Answer: They used public humiliation to discipline the
boys.
Extract 8:
He cried all day. When night came, he tried to sleep,
but he was cold, lonely, and frightened.
Questions:
1. How did Oliver spend the day?
Answer: He cried all day.
2. How did he feel at night?
Answer: He felt cold, lonely, and frightened.
3. Was he allowed to sleep comfortably?
Answer: No, he could not sleep comfortably.
4. What does this extract tell us about Oliver’s
treatment?
Answer: It was harsh and emotionally painful.
5. What emotions does Oliver experience here?
Answer: Sadness, fear, and loneliness.
Extract 9:
Mr Bumble met Mr Sowerberry. Mr Sowerberry was a tall,
thin man who wore black clothes and made coffins.
Questions:
1. Who did Mr Bumble meet?
Answer: He met Mr Sowerberry.
2. How is Mr Sowerberry described?
Answer: He is tall, thin, and wears black clothes.
3. What is Mr Sowerberry’s job?
Answer: He makes coffins.
4. For whom were many coffins made?
Answer: For poor people who died in the workhouse.
5. Why is Mr Sowerberry important to the workhouse?
Answer: He handles the burial of deceased poor people.
Extract 10:
“I have prepared the coffins for the two women who
died last night,” he said.
Questions:
1. Who spoke in this extract?
Answer: Mr Sowerberry spoke.
2. What had Mr Sowerberry prepared?
Answer: He had prepared coffins for two women.
3. When did these women die?
Answer: They died the previous night.
4. What does this indicate about his work?
Answer: His work involves making coffins for the dead
regularly.
5. How does this show the condition of poor people in
the workhouse?
Answer: Many poor people died due to harsh conditions.
4. 2 Mark Questions
1. Why did the master go pale when Oliver asked for
more?
Answer: The master went pale because he was shocked
and surprised. In the workhouse, it was unacceptable for a boy to ask for more
food. Oliver’s polite request challenged the harsh rules, and the master could
not believe that a boy had dared to ask for extra, which made him react with
astonishment and fear.
2. What does Oliver’s request for more food reveal
about his character?
Answer: Oliver’s request shows that he is brave,
honest, and innocent. Despite knowing the strict rules of the workhouse, he
asked politely for more. This demonstrates his courage, his trust in fairness,
and his natural human desire for adequate nourishment, even in the face of
punishment or disapproval.
3. How did the master punish Oliver for asking for
more?
Answer: The master punished Oliver by hitting him with
a spoon and seizing him. He then called for help, showing his anger and
authority. This punishment reflects the harsh discipline in the workhouse,
where even innocent acts, like asking for more food, were met with violence and
cruelty.
4. Who was Mr Bumble and what was his role in this
incident?
Answer: Mr Bumble was the beadle of the workhouse,
responsible for discipline and administration. When the master cried for help,
he rushed in and expressed disbelief at Oliver’s request. He reinforced the
strict rules, punished Oliver, and upheld the harsh authority of the workhouse,
showing cruelty toward the poor children.
5. How long was Oliver kept in the dark room and what
was the purpose?
Answer: Oliver was kept in the dark room for a whole
week. The purpose of this confinement was punishment and isolation, to instill
fear and obedience. The dark room symbolized the harsh and lonely conditions of
the workhouse, making Oliver suffer both physically and emotionally.
6. Describe how Oliver was treated while washing and
eating in the workhouse.
Answer: Oliver was taken outside every morning to wash
and was beaten with a stick by Mr Bumble. He was later made to eat soup in a
large hall, where he was again punished publicly. This treatment shows the
cruelty and humiliation inflicted upon poor children in the workhouse.
7. How did Oliver feel during the week of punishment?
Answer: Oliver felt cold, lonely, frightened, and
miserable throughout the week. He cried all day and struggled to sleep at
night. This reflects the emotional and physical suffering of children in the
workhouse, highlighting the inhuman treatment they received and the lack of
care or comfort.
8. Who was Mr Sowerberry and what was his profession?
Answer: Mr Sowerberry was a tall, thin man who wore
black clothes and worked as an undertaker. His job involved making coffins,
particularly for poor people who died in the workhouse. He represented a
profession that thrived on the death and suffering of the impoverished, showing
the harsh realities of workhouse life.
9. How did Mr Bumble react when he saw Mr Sowerberry?
Answer: Mr Bumble greeted Mr Sowerberry and praised
him, saying he would be rich one day. He also asked if Mr Sowerberry knew
anyone who wanted a boy for five pounds. This shows how the workhouse system
treated children as commodities and how profit and authority were intertwined.
10. What does the notice on the workhouse gate say?
Answer: The notice offered five pounds to anyone
willing to take Oliver Twist from the workhouse. It indicates that Oliver was
unwanted, and children were treated as property or burdens to be sold. This
reveals the cruel and transactional nature of the workhouse system.
11. Why did Mr Bumble say Oliver might be hanged one
day?
Answer: Mr Bumble said this to express shock at
Oliver’s request for more. It was an exaggerated warning to show how
unacceptable and rebellious such a request was considered. This threat reflects
the harshness and fear-driven discipline of the workhouse system.
12. What kind of punishment did Oliver face in front
of other boys?
Answer: Oliver was beaten by Mr Bumble in the large
hall while the other boys watched. This public punishment served to humiliate
him and instill fear among all the boys. It demonstrates the workhouse’s use of
authority and cruelty to maintain control.
13. How does Dickens show the cruelty of the workhouse
in this passage?
Answer: Dickens highlights the cruelty by describing
Oliver’s physical punishment, harsh confinement, public humiliation, and
neglect. The detailed depiction of beating, cold, darkness, and fear emphasizes
the inhuman conditions faced by poor children, evoking sympathy and anger in
readers about the injustice of the system.
14. How were poor people treated in the workhouse
according to the passage?
Answer: Poor people were treated harshly and cruelly
in the workhouse. Children were beaten, confined, and humiliated. Adults, like
Mr Sowerberry, profited from their death. The system valued discipline and
profit over care, showing the oppressive, dehumanizing environment of the
workhouse.
15. What does Oliver’s crying all day signify?
Answer: Oliver’s crying all day signifies his deep
suffering, both physically and emotionally. It reflects the pain, fear, and
loneliness he endured due to cruel treatment and harsh living conditions. His
tears symbolize the injustice and misery faced by poor children in the
workhouse.
16. How is Mr Sowerberry connected to the death of
poor women in the workhouse?
Answer: Mr Sowerberry prepared coffins for the two
women who died, showing his role in dealing with death. This reflects the high
mortality rate among the poor and the harsh conditions of the workhouse. It
also highlights how the poor were devalued and treated as expendable.
17. What is the significance of the five-pound reward?
Answer: The five-pound reward shows that Oliver was
treated as a commodity. It emphasizes the lack of care for children in the
workhouse, as financial profit took priority over their welfare. It highlights
the transactional and cruel nature of society’s treatment of the poor.
18. How did public punishment affect Oliver and other
boys?
Answer: Public punishment humiliated Oliver and
instilled fear in all the boys. It reinforced obedience through intimidation
and showcased the power of authority figures. This method of punishment was
cruel and emotionally damaging, creating an environment of fear and oppression.
19. What does Oliver’s polite request contrast with in
the workhouse?
Answer: Oliver’s polite request contrasts with the
cruelty, harsh discipline, and inhumanity of the workhouse. Despite his
innocence and honesty, he is punished severely, highlighting the injustice of a
system that values obedience and profit over kindness and fairness.
20. How does this passage evoke sympathy for Oliver?
Answer: The passage evokes sympathy by showing
Oliver’s suffering, fear, and loneliness. Dickens describes his harsh
treatment, public humiliation, and isolation in detail, making readers feel
compassion for him and anger at the unjust and cruel workhouse system.
5. Three-mark questions
1. Describe the master’s reaction when Oliver asked
for more food.
Answer: The master, who was a fat, healthy man, turned
very pale and looked at Oliver with surprise. This reaction showed his shock
because asking for more food was considered unacceptable in the workhouse. His
anger and astonishment reflected the harsh rules of the place. He struck Oliver
with his spoon and called for help, demonstrating the cruel and strict nature
of authority in the workhouse, where even polite requests were punished
severely.
2. How did Mr Bumble respond to Oliver’s request for
more?
Answer: Mr Bumble rushed into the room when the master
cried for help. On hearing Oliver’s request, he expressed disbelief and said
that one day the boy might be hanged. This reaction shows his strict adherence
to the harsh rules of the workhouse and his lack of empathy for the children.
He punished Oliver and reinforced the cruel system, highlighting the oppressive
authority figures who treated innocent children as problems rather than as
human beings needing care.
3. Explain the punishment Oliver received after asking
for more.
Answer: After Oliver asked for more, he was first hit
by the master with a spoon. Then Mr Bumble took him to a dark room and confined
him for a whole week. He was made to wash every morning and was beaten with a
stick. In the large hall, he was punished publicly in front of other boys. The
punishment caused him great fear, loneliness, and pain, showing the cruelty of
the workhouse system toward vulnerable children.
4. Describe the conditions of Oliver’s confinement in
the dark room.
Answer: Oliver was kept in a cold, dark room for a
week. During the day, he cried continuously, and at night he struggled to sleep
due to fear, loneliness, and the harsh conditions. This confinement caused him
emotional and physical suffering. The dark room symbolized punishment and the
cruel, unfeeling nature of the workhouse authorities. It emphasized the lack of
care for children and the severe discipline imposed on those who dared to
challenge the strict rules.
5. Who was Mr Sowerberry, and what was his
significance in the workhouse system?
Answer: Mr Sowerberry was a tall, thin man dressed in
black who worked as an undertaker. He made coffins, many for poor people who
died in the workhouse. His profession represented the grim reality of life for
the impoverished and the high mortality rate due to harsh conditions. Mr Bumble
praised him for being rich one day, showing how profit and authority were
linked. Mr Sowerberry’s connection to Oliver through the five-pound reward
highlights how children were treated as commodities.
6. What does the notice on the workhouse gate indicate
about Oliver’s situation?
Answer: The notice offered five pounds to anyone
willing to take Oliver from the workhouse. This indicates that Oliver was
unwanted and considered a burden. It also shows that children were treated as
property, rather than as human beings deserving care. The reward emphasizes the
cruel and transactional nature of the workhouse system, highlighting the lack
of empathy for poor children. Oliver’s value was measured in money, reflecting
the dehumanizing attitude of society toward the poor.
7. How does Dickens portray the cruelty of the
workhouse through Oliver’s experiences?
Answer: Dickens portrays the workhouse as a harsh,
cruel institution. Oliver suffers physical punishment, public humiliation, and
emotional distress for simply asking for more food. He is confined to a dark,
cold room, beaten with a stick, and punished in front of other boys. Through
these events, Dickens emphasizes the oppression, fear, and suffering inflicted
upon children, highlighting the inhumanity of the system. The narrative evokes
sympathy for Oliver and criticizes the societal neglect of the poor.
8. How did public punishment affect Oliver and the
other boys?
Answer: Public punishment humiliated Oliver and
instilled fear among the other boys. Being beaten in front of everyone showed
the power of authority and served as a warning to disobedient children. It
caused emotional distress, reinforcing obedience through intimidation rather
than understanding. This method of punishment highlighted the oppressive and
cruel environment of the workhouse, demonstrating how children were
systematically controlled and traumatized to maintain strict discipline and
social hierarchy.
9. What does Oliver’s polite request reveal about his
innocence and courage?
Answer: Oliver’s request, “Please, sir, I want some
more,” shows that he is innocent, brave, and honest. Despite knowing the strict
and cruel rules of the workhouse, he asked for his basic right to food. This
act demonstrates moral courage, as he faced punishment without fear. His
politeness contrasts sharply with the harsh treatment he received, highlighting
the injustice of the system and evoking sympathy from readers for his suffering
and perseverance.
10. How does the encounter between Mr Bumble and Mr
Sowerberry reflect the workhouse system?
Answer: The encounter shows how the workhouse system
was focused on profit and discipline rather than care. Mr Bumble praised Mr
Sowerberry for preparing coffins and asked if he knew anyone who could take
Oliver for five pounds. This reflects how children were commodified, and the
suffering of the poor was exploited. It highlights the transactional and cruel
nature of society, emphasizing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under
the guise of authority and duty.
COURTESY: Meta AI, Perplexity & ChatGPT
Image Courtesy: alamy
Compiled by Dr. Shankar D Mishra
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