Comparing Oliver Twist and A Kestrel for a Knave

Comparing Oliver Twist and A Kestrel for a Knave

Introduction

============

In this essay I am hoping to show the similarities between the novels

'Oliver Twist' and A 'Kestrel for a Knave'. Charles Dickens wrote

Oliver twist in the early ninetieth century. It was set in the area of

in and around London. Whereas A Kestrel for a Knave was wrote in the

1960s by Barry Hines and is set in the area of Barnsley.

Although the two Novels are set one hundred and thirty years apart

there are many similarities between them. Both Charles Dickens and

Barry Hines were angry about how poor children like Oliver a Billy

were treated. They both felt that children born into poor

circumstances were failed by the adults in their lives.

Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse, his mother died at childbirth,

Oliver was then sent to a baby farm. Mrs Mann ran the workhouse; she

adopted Oliver so when he was old enough he could go make her some

money. Oliver was to believe that Mrs Mann was his mother up until the

age of eight when he was sent away to a workhouse owned by Mr Bumble.

The warehouse was a poor environment for an eight-year-old child to

grow up and, he was mistreaten by his guardian (Mrs Mann), Mr Bumble

and other employees and peers. Oliver is either physically or verbally

abuse.

Billy Casper is from a Kestrel for a Knave. He is a fifteen-year-old

boy. He was brought up on a run down council estate. His home and

school life is in any way distressing. His mother (Mrs Casper), (Judd)

his brother, teachers, classmates and other adults in his life,

mistreats Billy physically or verbally. All except Mr Farthing.

The first set of character I am going to compare is Mrs Mann and Mrs

Casper.

Mrs Mann and Mrs Casper are in many ways similar; they both fail to

bring their children up in a safe and sanitary environment and give

them the TLC that a young child needs.