Social effects of Dickens' writings?

Question

I have an english essay that discusses the effects of Charles Dickens' writings, namely Oliver Twist, both in the original time of that writing and presently.

Near as I can tell, there were no effects whatsoever, as most of those affected by the poor laws talked about in Oliver Twist weren't even literate, and those that could read it either didn't care, as the issue simply didn't affect them.

If there is anyone who is familiar enough with the Victorian era or Dickens' writing to offer another view, please help me by offering examples of social change influenced by Oliver Twist.

Answer 1

I am not aware of specifics concerning Oliver Twist, but Charles Dickens' goal was to raise public awareness about social issues. In this, he fully succeeded. He was one of the most popular authors in his day and reached upper and lower classes, as well.

Not all of those affected by the poor laws would have been illiterate; it's too sweeping a statement. Besides which, when Dickens used his pen to bring to light specific social evils, he was writing for those who could make a change, not necessarily for those living under these harsh conditions. Someone living under the Poor Law couldn't change the Poor Law, but those in positions of power and those in the upper classes could affect a change.

However, I know from things I've read that because of Nicholas Nickleby (or The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby) some of those terrible schools in Yorkshire - which are spotlighted in the book - were shut down.

From http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/ente... -

"One of Dickens' funniest novels, "Nicholas Nickleby" offers radical social commentary, too. He modeled Dotheboys Hall on the Yorkshire school of Bowes Academy, where some of the boys had gone blind, leading to the prosecution of the proprietor in 1823. Many similar Yorkshire boarding schools were shut down in the years following the book's publication."

From http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Child+lab... -

"One of the most effective attacks on child labour came from Charles Dickens's book Oliver Twist 1837. The first child-labour legislation was passed in England in 1802, but it only applied to pauper apprentices and was not enforced. The Factory Acts, passed in 1819, 1825, 1833, 1844, and 1878 gradually enforced inspections, shortened hours, and raised the age at which children could work."

Charles Dickens was one of the first to use the power of his pen to bring out into the open certain social injustices. His vast popularity, not only in England but in America and other places, meant that an ever growing number of people would know about these practices and conditions. That is step one in getting anything changed. His contribution was an important one.

To get a big picture, you'd really have to read some of the biographies about Dickens and various essays; a lot of research. Hopefully this will help a bit, though.