Oliver Is Rescued
- from Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens
(adapted by Mary Sebag-Montefiore)
(Roots)
Start Here
What kind of people do you like to be friends with? Think about the times you've made a new friend. Based on those experiences, circle the qualities that you generally look for in a friend.
popular; honest; fun-loving; helpful; strong; caring; kind; someone you respect and who respects you; loyal; brave; talented; has the same hobbies as you;
= honest; helpful; caring; kind; and someone you respect and who respects you;
Comprehension
Read and answer
1. Write numbers from 1 to 6 in the blanks to arrange the events from the story in the right order.
Oliver is relieved to have found friends in a new place. [4]
Oliver reaches London with bleeding feet and tattered clothes. [1]
Dodger takes Oliver to Fagin and his group of boys. [3]
Oliver discovers the truth about his new friends. [5]
Dodger meets Oliver and buys him food. [2]
Mr Brownlow tells Oliver that he might be able to help him. [6]
2. Choose another suitable title for this story.
a. Oliver Twist Walks to London. [ ]
b. Oliver Twist Finds New Friends. [✓]
c. Oliver Twist Is Surprised. [ ]
3. Choose the correct answer.
a. Oliver walks to London to
i. make a better life for himself. [✓]
ii. buy some bread. [ ]
b. Dodger tells Oliver that he knows a kind gentleman who
i. would take him in without expecting rent. [✓]
ii. would give him an education. [ ]
c. At Fagin's house, a group of boys were playing a game where
i. they were cooking sausages as fast as they could. [ ]
ii. they were trying to pull small items out of Fagin's coat unnoticed. [✓]
Reference to context
4. "Hello, Oliver." Fagin bared his teeth in a leering grin. "Want to play?"
a. Were the boys really 'playing'? What makes you say that?
= No, the boys were not really 'playing'.
They were actually learning or practicing pickpocket. Fagin was their leader. He was frying sausages over the fire and letting the boys take things from his pocket without him noticing.
b. Why did Fagin have a leering grin on his face?
= Fagin was the leader of the group of the boys who were pickpockets. He was actually giving them lesson about stealing things from one's pocket. He had the intention of malicious practice. That is why he had a leering grin on his face.
5. "No, he deserves a chance," replied the gentleman."
a. Who is 'he' in this line?
= In this line, 'he' is Oliver Twist.
b. What kind of a 'chance' do you think the gentleman gives him?
= I think the gentleman gives him a 'chance' to be good, to get good food, good clothes and quality education.
Reflect and answer
6. Do you think Oliver was an innocent boy? Give examples to support you answer.
= Yes, I think Oliver was an innocent boy. He was in bad condition. But he wanted a better life. That is why he decided to walk to London. He walked ten miles a day. At night he hid in hay barns and woke each morning hurting and weak with hunger. He was begging and became exhausted. He was hungry. He did not find any fishy thing in Dodger's activities. He took him as innocent as himself and went with him. At the end of the story, when Dodger flee snatching the wallet from the gentleman, Oliver did not run rather he was looking for Dodger and caught by the public.
7. Was Dodger's friendship with Oliver true? Did he have good intentions?
= Initially Dodger's friendship with Oliver was true. He came to Oliver when he was exhausted and hungry. Dodger pulled a wad of money from his pocket and brought food for Oliver. But in the long run, we can see that he was a picket. He knowingly brought Oliver to the house of Fagin.
At times, it seems that Dodger had good intentions to provide Oliver food and shelter at any cost. But at times, it seems that he had very ominous intention to make Oliver a member of their pickpocket gang.
8. Which issues is the author trying to highlight through his writing?
= The author is trying to highlight the issues of child trafficking through his writing. Here in this story, Fagin is a rogue. He has captivated a group of children by giving them food and shelter. He misuses them by forcing them to do pickpocketing. The issues like child trafficking and child labour is still prevailing in our society.
9. You spot a small child standing outside a shop.
He/She looks lost. What would you do?
a. Approach the shopkeeper and tell him about the child. [ ]
b. Approach the child, talk to him/her to find out if they need any help. [✓]
c. Inform your parents or other grown-ups. [✓]
d. Inform the police. [ ]
Think about how we have responsibility to observe people around us and help if someone looks like they are in trouble.
= Human beings are social animals. They live in society. Society consists of all the people living in the same surroundings. So it is obvious we should observe people around us. We can not live happily letting others live in pain and sorrow. We should try our level best to help people who are in need and trouble. This will lead to the harmony and sustenance in our society and human civilization.
About the Author :
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a British writer and journalist. Dickens faced many hardships when he was young, which influenced his writing. Even though he never received formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years and wrote 15 novels as well as hundreds of short stories and articles. Some of his popular works include Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield and Great Expectations. Many of his stories have been adapted as movies. He also actively fought for children's rights and other social reforms.