Open Prompt Revision #2

1976. The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority is the recurring theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Select the work of an essayist who is in opposition to his or her society; or from a work of recognized literary merit, select a fictional character who is in opposition to his or her society. In a critical essay, analyze the conflict and discuss the moral and ethical implications for both the individual and the society. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose.

               

            Most people, when thrust into a new environment, will adapt and blend in, altering their behavior to match that of those around them. Our culture values those who "fit in" to an extent that often drives individuals to deny their true nature. However, this cannot be said for Oliver Twist of the Dickens novel by the same name. Although Oliver's surroundings teem with dishonesty and ill will, he steadfastly holds to his own moral code, illustrating the novel's messages that good is resilient, innocence is powerful, and redemption is possible.

                Oliver's innocence is a trait which time and again serves exclusively to benefit. When questioned by Mr. Brownlow, it is Oliver's genuine innocence which convinces him that the boy was not to blame for thievery, and even convinces the man to take Oliver in. His innocence serves not only himself but others as well, starting a chain of events which puts Fagin to justice and enriches the life of a lonely Mr. Brownlow. The quality of life of not only Oliver but those around him, or at least those who aren't entirely corrupt, improves because of Oliver's innocence.

                Oliver's strong moral sense is unchanged by his total immersion into a society that operates on acts of thievery and perpetuates violence, even when this society directly attempts to corrupt him. In the clash between Fagin and his gang's cruelty and Oliver's purity, Oliver repeatedly wins:  Nancy's resistance against Fagin's and Syke's attempts to beat Oliver represents her finally resisting the evil that's surrounded her, and she was inspired to do so by the good she found in Oliver, and after being surrounded by a society of murderers and thieves, Oliver still has the goodness to give Monks a second chance. These events serve as a testament to the power of unyielding kindness for both Oliver and society in general.
             Paradoxically, the fact that so much of Oliver's world is greedy and corrupt serves the novel's purpose of expressing hope. Dickens clearly acknowledges that society is far from perfect by choosing to allow the bad characters to outnumber the good. However, the few lights of goodness and purity he chooses to include have a profound effect on the story. Oliver turns many an eye inward, causing characters to reflect on their misdeeds. Nancy changes for the better, and even Fagin considers finding a new life at one point in the story. Though he doesn't go through with it, this is nonetheless a strong indicator that redemption can be attained by anyone, no matter how far gone they may seem.