When first reading ‘Oliver Twist’ it is obvious to most attentive readers that Dickens uses irony. What also becomes clear is that he uses irony in a variety of forms. To grasp this variety it is hardly ever sufficient to use the classical definition of irony exclusively according to which “an ironical utterance is traditionally analyzed as literally saying one thing and figuratively meaning the opposite.” In order to give the reader a more detailed idea of what irony is, the main part of this work will be divided into two sub-divisions. The first sub-division tries to give an answer to the question what irony is in general and how it can be sub-classified into more specific types of irony. The second sub-division is supposed to show the reader which of the formerly described types of irony can or cannot be applied to Oliver Twist and why they can be or cannot be applied. This should give the reader a better idea of why an utterance or a situation is perceived as ironic. The aim is not only to make the reader realise irony but also to make him able to say as to why this situation or that utterance can be seen as ironic. The conclusion will then show to what extent the definitions given in the first sub-division of the main part are useful to analyze irony in the novel. It is also supposed to answer the question why Dickens used irony and what he wanted to achieve using it.
The definition of irony and the sub-categorization into the different types of irony, which is the basis of the first sub-division of the main part, was mainly overtaken from The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms . The main advantage of this definition is that it draws clear cut boundaries between the different types of irony and gives clear advice how to differentiate between them. Except for one chapter in the book by Patricia Plummer , there was no literature exclusively dealing with the different forms of irony in Oliver Twist specifically. The problem with Mrs. Plummer’s work is that she exclusively describes the ironic parts of Oliver Twist by means of rhetorical figures. Of course, this is a tenable approach but it did not really serve the purpose of a better understanding of irony in Oliver Twist, which is the aim of this work.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. General definitions of the term irony
2.1. Verbal irony
2.2. Situational irony
2.2.1. Dramatic irony
2.2.2. Tragic Irony
2.2.3. Socratic irony
2.3. Structural irony
2.3.1. Cosmic irony
2.3.2. Romantic irony
3. Verbal irony in Oliver Twist
3.1. Situational Irony in Oliver Twist
3.1.1. The character of Mr. Bumble as an example of dramatic irony in Oliver Twist
3.1.2. The character of Nancy as an example of tragic irony in ‘Oliver Twist’
3.2. Non-applicable forms of irony in Oliver Twist
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the multifaceted use of irony in Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, exploring how various forms of irony serve as instruments for social criticism and character development. The primary research question addresses how Dickens utilizes ironic modes to manipulate the reader’s perception of 19th-century societal structures and institutional corruption.
- The theoretical classification of irony (verbal, situational, and structural).
- The intersection of irony and social critique in the portrayal of workhouses.
- The function of dramatic and tragic irony in character arcs (e.g., Mr. Bumble and Nancy).
- The distinction between applicable and non-applicable forms of irony in the narrative structure of Oliver Twist.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2. The character of Nancy as an example of tragic irony in Oliver Twist
Nancy is a part of Fagin’s gang. She lives among the thieves and is forced to work as a prostitute by Fagin together with another girl called Bet. At first the reader might think that she is just like the other members of the gang because she helps to recapture Oliver after he had been arrested by the police and taken care of by Mr. Brownlow. Shortly after that the reader gets quite another impression: “The Jew inflicted a smart blow on Oliver’s shoulders with the club; and was raising it for a second, when the girl [Nancy], rushing forward, wrested it from his hand.” This is the first sign the reader gets that she is the only one in the gang who might help Oliver and protect him. It is Nancy herself who gives the reader the final clue to her role in the novel when she says to Oliver:
‘I have saved you from being ill-used once, and I will again, and I do now,’ continued the girl aloud; ‘for those who would have fetched you, if I had not, would have been far more rough than me. I have promised for your being quiet and silent; if you are not, you will only do harm to yourself and me too, and perhaps be my death. See here! I have borne all this for you already, as true as God sees me show it.’ She pointed, hastily, to some livid bruises on her neck and arms”.
The reader learns several things. Nancy helped to capture Oliver to protect him. She is a believable character because she suffered physical violence to protect him and says that she will do it again if necessary. Because she also tells Oliver that he will possibly be her death the reader has from this point onwards a vague presentiment of what is going to happen to Nancy.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the prevalence of irony in Oliver Twist and defines the methodology of categorizing irony into two sub-divisions to better analyze its function in the novel.
2. General definitions of the term irony: This chapter establishes the theoretical foundation by defining and differentiating between various types of irony, including verbal, situational, and structural forms.
3. Verbal irony in Oliver Twist: This chapter analyzes specific instances of verbal irony within the novel, focusing on how Dickens employs irony to critique the workhouse system and the hypocrisy of the ruling board.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, asserting that Dickens uses irony as a powerful tool for social criticism, and emphasizes that the interpretation of ironic tone remains a matter of reader perception.
Keywords
Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, Irony, Verbal Irony, Situational Irony, Tragic Irony, Dramatic Irony, Structural Irony, Social Criticism, Poor Laws, Narrator, Rhetoric, Literary Analysis, Character Development, 19th-century Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the diverse forms of irony employed by Charles Dickens in his novel Oliver Twist and how these forms are utilized to convey social criticism.
Which specific thematic areas are central to this work?
The central themes include the interpretation of institutional corruption, the living conditions of the poor in the 19th century, and the psychological complexity of the novel's characters.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The aim is to identify how different types of irony function within the text and to determine why Dickens chose to use them to criticize societal structures of his time.
Which scientific methods are applied in the analysis?
The author applies a comparative literary analysis, utilizing established definitions from literary glossaries to classify the ironic instances in the novel.
What is the focus of the main section?
The main section investigates how verbal and situational irony appear in Oliver Twist, providing detailed examples and examining why certain structural irony forms are not applicable to the text.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include irony, Oliver Twist, social criticism, verbal irony, situational irony, and literary analysis.
How is Mr. Bumble utilized as an example of dramatic irony?
Mr. Bumble’s trajectory from an arrogant beadle to a disgraced former master demonstrates dramatic irony, as the reader gains insight into his impending downfall long before the character realizes the consequences of his choices.
In what way does the character of Nancy exemplify tragic irony?
Nancy represents tragic irony because she possesses imperfect information about the gang's ruthlessness; her attempt to save Oliver leads directly to her own tragic demise, a fate the reader anticipates through her narrative arc.
- Quote paper
- Simon Philipps (Author), 2005, Irony in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/69084
