Societal critique in Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist : A Ricouerian Analysis

Abstract: This essay investigates social critique and commentary in Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, applying a Ricoeurian hermeneutics in order to determine whether the novel simultaneously affirms certain viewpoints while subtly undermining these. If such cases can be found, the analysis will then endeavor to determine how this serves to influence the reader’s perception of the various social issue presented in the novel. While previous works have focused on specific aspects of the novel’s subtle critique, namely in the use of comedy (Kincaid 1968), a wider analysis of the novel’s method of using subtle criticism to influence the reader and encourage them to critically reflect on various social issues has not been made. The investigation will focus on applying a Ricoeurian hermeneutics on the novel’s approach to class structure, gender norms, capital punishment and comedy, determining whether there is a tension between the stances that the novel affirms on the surface, and how the events challenge these. If such cases can be found, an analysis will reveal how this enables the novel to subtly force the reader to challenge various viewpoints.