General Introduction The story of Oliver Twist is legendary in British culture. The novel's story centers on an orphan named Oliver Twist, whose mother died soon after his birth in a workhouse. The novel focuses on the social injustice inflicted on orphans in the Victorian period. The plot thread reveals the nature of the criminal world made up of characters such as Fagin, Sikes, Jack Dawkins, Nancy and Betsey. Dickens's purpose in writing the novel was to show in the boy Oliver the principle of good that survives in every adverse circumstance and at least triumphs. This goal is achieved thanks to the fact that Oliver remains uncontaminated by the evil and vice that surrounds him. The filthy places where the criminals Fagin, Sikes, Nancy, Bates and Dodger take refuge form this criminal world of London. Cases of juvenile delinquency seem to be very frequent in those days. However, Dickens suggests the eradication of all forms of social injustice and child abuse, as well as all types of criminal activity. Plot and Structure in Oliver Twist The plot of Oliver Twist is very complicated and unsatisfying. The novel certainly has a traditional plot, which concerns a wronged woman, an illegitimate child, a destroyed will, an evil older brother, criminals and finally the defeat of the forces of evil and the victory of good. Therefore, this plot contains sensational episodes, which make the novel completely enthralling. The novel lacks organic unity. The unity of the impulse is there, but the impulse is moral and didactic. The opening chapters are fairly continuous but suddenly the action shifts to London, which affects the unity of the novel. Once again, Dickens has portrayed some mysteries, which baffle us as well as the plot of the novel. The mystery of Oliver's birth keeps the plot in a static situation. Brownlow's discovery of Hakamire's resemblance between Oliver's face and that of the woman in the photo and Sowerberry's terrible beating of Oliver are terrifying. The dramatic situation includes Oliver's kidnapping by Nancy, Nancy's intervention when Oliver is severely beaten by Fagin; the murder of Nancy, the death of Sikes and the hanging of Fagin create an atmosphere of horror in the novel. The entire novel is pervaded by an atmosphere of horror, dramatic situation and suspense. The suspense lies in the fact that when Sikes is almost on the verge of having Oliver tortured by Hakami, Nancy saves him. Another example of suspense is that Oliver was pushed through the window, and Sikes arrived to commit a burglary. Poverty, oppression and death in Oliver Twist The world portrayed by Charles Dickens is certainly cruel, ugly, depressing, nauseating, poor and oppressive. The seedy side of life in the novel is mainly depicted through Oliver's life in the workhouse and outside. He begins his life in a hospice as an orphan and grows up in absolute poverty. He wore a cloth just to cover his body. Orphans and children are sometimes pushed into a life of crime. The boys, namely Arful Dodger, Charley Bates and Tom, are from Poor