The Newgate Novel and the Moral Argument Group #1 Erin Arnett Amy Foust Kelly Klingler Emily Stice

Table of Contents History Crime Solomon Parliament Experience Parliament Experience Newgate Novelists Newgate Novelists Realism Women Murder Morals Works Cited

History Oliver Twist appeared in “Bentley’s Miscellany” Oliver Twist appeared in “Bentley’s Miscellany” Dickens’ interest in crime and criminals Dickens’ interest in crime and criminals Oliver Twist reflected on juvenile crime Oliver Twist reflected on juvenile crime Thieving done by juveniles kept pace with legitimate businesses Thieving done by juveniles kept pace with legitimate businesses

Crime Dickens saw crime and read about it in the newspapers Dickens saw crime and read about it in the newspapers Newspapers gave great notice to daily activities of young thieves. Newspapers gave great notice to daily activities of young thieves. There were little differences in novice and professional thieves There were little differences in novice and professional thieves

Crime cont… Juries decided the punishments for the criminals Juries decided the punishments for the criminals No difference in punishments for boys or men No difference in punishments for boys or men

Solomon Dickens’ readers were prepared for Fagin because of newspaper articles Dickens’ readers were prepared for Fagin because of newspaper articles Readers compared Solomon and Fagin Readers compared Solomon and Fagin Solomon known as successful thief of this time Solomon known as successful thief of this time His actions were extensively reported His actions were extensively reported London’s laws couldn’t slow Solomon down London’s laws couldn’t slow Solomon down

Solomon cont… Solomon was a peddler, pickpocket, and passer of bad coins Solomon was a peddler, pickpocket, and passer of bad coins He made huge profits from dealing in stolen goods He made huge profits from dealing in stolen goods Identifying marks were removed Identifying marks were removed This precaution wasn’t consistently used until Solomon This precaution wasn’t consistently used until Solomon

Solomon cont… Solomon advised any thieve that supplied him to carry out 1 or 2 well planned jobs and not to risk getting caught on the little ones.

Parliament Experience Dickens, a parliamentary reporter for four years Dickens, a parliamentary reporter for four years Wrote Oliver Twist during this time Wrote Oliver Twist during this time Much revision of criminal law taking place during these years Much revision of criminal law taking place during these years

Parliament Experience Cont… “Dickens inserted an argument against capital punishment into Oliver Twist while the long –awaited measures were at the obstacle of the House of Lords” (471) “Dickens inserted an argument against capital punishment into Oliver Twist while the long –awaited measures were at the obstacle of the House of Lords” (471) Dickens used the most current information in his story Dickens used the most current information in his story

Newgate Novelist A Newgate Novel is one in which criminals are shown in a romantic light so that the legal system that punishes them may be criticized. A Newgate Novel is one in which criminals are shown in a romantic light so that the legal system that punishes them may be criticized.

Newgate Novelist Relationships like Dickens’ friendships with two famous men of his times, Ainsworth and Bulwer effected writing Relationships like Dickens’ friendships with two famous men of his times, Ainsworth and Bulwer effected writing The trio of friends did not last, there are possible references to the two in Oliver Twist with the character of Sikes and the event of Fagin giving Oliver a Newgate Novel The trio of friends did not last, there are possible references to the two in Oliver Twist with the character of Sikes and the event of Fagin giving Oliver a Newgate Novel

Realism Unknown Parentage; weakens humanitarian sermons Unknown Parentage; weakens humanitarian sermons Oliver  no character substance Oliver  no character substance Oliver like a little gentleman Oliver like a little gentleman Thieves’ Slang Thieves’ Slang Nancy  Prostitute with protestations of guilt Nancy  Prostitute with protestations of guilt Not realistic Not realistic

Women of the Novel Nancy is a fake Nancy is a fake “Drenched in sex” “Drenched in sex” Feelings for Nancy Feelings for Nancy Rose Maylie= Mary Hogarth Rose Maylie= Mary Hogarth Mary’s Death Mary’s Death

Women Cont… Dickens’ wanted to be buried next to Mary Dickens’ wanted to be buried next to Mary Rose’s illness represents Mary’s illness Rose’s illness represents Mary’s illness Nancy counterpart of Rose Maylie Nancy counterpart of Rose Maylie Similarities between Nancy and Rose Similarities between Nancy and Rose

Murder Anniversary of Mary’s death effect on Oliver Twist Anniversary of Mary’s death effect on Oliver Twist No death scene for Rose No death scene for Rose Nancy took her place Nancy took her place “Created and defended as the unadmitted sexual aspect of Mary Hogarth” “Created and defended as the unadmitted sexual aspect of Mary Hogarth” Cleared his sin Edgar Johnson- “In deciding to add the murder of Nancy to his repertory he was sentencing himself to death.” Edgar Johnson- “In deciding to add the murder of Nancy to his repertory he was sentencing himself to death.”

Morals Dickens dissociation from the Newgate writers Dickens dissociation from the Newgate writers Objects to being unfairly charged with having written a book after Mr. Ainsworth’s fashion Objects to being unfairly charged with having written a book after Mr. Ainsworth’s fashion He does not entice the juveniles He does not entice the juveniles Believes such associations of crime would be a service to society

Works Cited “The Newgate Novel and the Moral Argument, ” Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Ed. Fred Kaplan. New York: Norton; “The Newgate Novel and the Moral Argument, ” Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Ed. Fred Kaplan. New York: Norton;