What Makes Oliver Twist One Of The Greatest Pieces Of Literature Of All Time?

02/11/2021

If you’re looking for an incredible piece of literature to inspire you, it doesn’t get much better than Oliver Twist. Oliver Twist is an iconic piece of writing, and in this blog we will explore what makes it such a true masterpiece.

Of course, Oliver Twist was Charles Dickens’ second novel, following The Pickwick Papers. A true literary genius, Dickens is regarded by many people as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. While many will argue as to whether Oliver Twist is truly Dickens’ best work, we cannot deny that it captured the attention of the world, and continues to do so.

One of the reasons why this is the case is because it was one of the earliest known books to take on social issues, such as 19th-century industrialisation and poverty. It is also one of the earliest books to use satire as a vehicle for social commentary.

When Oliver Twist was first published, it gained instant attention because of the scandalous subject matter. Murder and crime were depicted without holding back. In fact, it was often called the Newgate novel, a nickname based on London’s Newgate Prison. When you consider our fascination with true-crime series on the likes of Netflix today, it’s not hard to see the appeal.

The characters in Oliver Twist have depth of character, essential for the reader to fully immerse oneself into the story. Dickens, through his writing gives us access to the sights and smells of a Victorian London. His skill is to draw us in with his rich tapestry of descriptive and creative writing.

Develop your writing skills at the University of Bolton

If you would like to write the next masterpiece, studying for a BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing degree at the University of Bolton is a great place to start honing these skills.

This degree from our Department of English and Creative Writing has been designed to develop and inspire your appreciation and interest for the expansive and enriching world of imagination and literature. You will be able to capitalise on many opportunities to enhance and develop your own approaches to communication and expression as well as learn how to structure and plan your work.

From our small classrooms and inclusive environment to our excellent internship and career development opportunities, there is a lot to enjoy about studying at the University of Bolton. And what’s more, we are only a short bus or train ride from the fantastic cultural City of Manchester, a hot bed of creativity and industry as well as an exciting social scene.

You may be worried that you have missed the boat in terms of your application. But don’t worry; January applications are still a possibility. Take a look at our university courses starting January to find out more.

If you have any questions, send an email to UGadmissions@bolton.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)1204 900 600.

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