Chapters 5-8

This forum is for thoughts related to Chapters 5-8

Oliver's experience with poverty and life is to be "shipped" off to another bad situation. He finally is placed in a situation with a funeral director and simply hates it. During this time he runs into Noah who disrespects the memory of his mother. Oliver turns around and becomes violent. This is out of character for him because he is considered an "angelic" character. I guess this is the humanly desperate side of him.

Next step for Oliver is to run away. Not much preparation and thought into it, but just flees for his life.

I felt Oliver had it better at the undertakers. He was fed more and his master teated him better than at the work house. he did have to deal with Noah Claypole’ which illustrates the notorious class distinctions. Noah had been at the bottom of the pecking order and instead of sympathising with him, lost no time in bullying Oliver. Dickens shows that class snobbery is a universal quality, characteristic of the lowest as well as the highest born in society.
Oliver is portrayed as a meek innocent child until Noah belitles his mother. somehow this means moe to him than anything, which is weird since he didn't even know her and had never had the love of a mother. he runs away and nearly dies. Notice how a mother figure, in the old lady, who gave him food presents.