How Does Charles Dickens Portray the Theme of “coming-Of-Age” in His Novel Oliver Twist?

How does Charles Dickens portray the theme of “coming-of-age” in his novel Oliver Twist?

“Oliver Twist” is a novel written by Charles Dickens. The setting of the novel is in England, at first in the

countryside of London and then in London. The novel is about a boy named Oliver Twist. Oliver’s mother

died just after his birth so Oliver spent his first nine years of life in an orphanage. He was then

transferred to a workhouse for adults where many other kids of his age worked from early morning until

night. However Oliver did not stay working there for long, he was bullied by other children and he was

forced to ask for more porridge after he finished his meal. He was whipped for asking for more food, as

this sort of behavior was not tolerated there. Mr. Bumble then offered five pounds to anyone who

would be willing to take Oliver. Oliver was taken by Mr. Sowerberry and he was treated like a slave

there, he had to eat leftovers in the corner and work all day. Mr. Sowerberry’s other apprentice insulted

Oliver’s mother which angered Oliver, and caused him to punch the other boy. Oliver was punished and

whipped again, so he decided to run away. At dawn he escaped and started walking to London. He

walked for seven days until he reached his destination. "I am very hungry and tired... I have walked a

long way. I have been walking these seven days."In London, Oliver encountered another boy of his age

who offered him a place where Oliver can live.

In the shelter where Oliver arrived, he met Fagin, an old man who trains young kids to become thieves

in return for food and shelter. Oliver becomes trained in pick pocketing and he is then allowed to go on

his first mission with other kids. However on the streets, before he even tried anything he was accused

of stealing a handkerchief from an old man. Oliver gets caught and sent to court, however in court Mr.

Brownlow, the old man from whom the handkerchief was stolen, decides to take Oliver home because

he saw goodness in Oliver and he