Student Essay on Women in "Oliver Twist"

Women characters in Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist" were intended as victims just as much as the character of Oliver. Dickens portrays the social inequities women face during this time, linking the women characters to their different roles in society.

"There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity." This manifestation is expressed by the American writer Washington Irving, who became popular in the mid-1800s. Irving wishes to reveal the essence of womanhood as seen in the society. Ironically, Irving was not alone. Across the Atlantic a man who created his masterpiece of his own is so determined to illustrate the concept of "idealized womanhood." Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist became the Master of Its Time. Dickens introduced female characters who represented the verity of what defined this type of womanhood. Though Agnes, Rose, Nancy, Mrs. Bedwin and Mrs. Bumble enunciated life differently, the five compelling characters were linked by.....