Question

What two topics does Charles Dickens criticize in the beginning of Oliver Twist by placing Oliver in a workhouse? the lack of good orphanages in Great Britain the absence of morality among parish officials the miserable conditions of workhouses the lazy and immoral attitudes of the poor the slack supervision by the parish officials

Answer 1

The two topics that Charles Dickens criticizes in the beginning of Oliver Twist is both the absence of morality among parish officials and the miserable conditions of workhouses.

Answer 2

The two topics that Charles Dickens criticizes in the beginning of Oliver Twist by placing Oliver in a workhouse are the miserable conditions of workhouses where the elderly, sick and poor ended up. But, instead of providing shelter, food or clothing, people were poorly fed and badly treated at these places. The workhouse system was established by the Poor Law (Amendment) Act of 1834. This system was controlled by the parish. Dickens exposed the absence of morality among parish officials who were inefficient, corrupt, and incompetent. Instead of relieving the poor, the sick and the aged, they did not feel any compassion for these unfortunate people and made their life miserable.