Definition of Setting
The setting for the novel is Victorian England, but Dickens subscribes to the idea, popular at the time, that England can be divided into two halves: the city and the country. The country is preferable by far to the city, which is crowded, dirty, and dangerous. When Oliver first reaches the city in Chapter 8, led by the Artful Dodger, it seems unlikely that his fortune could take a turn for the better in his new environment:
A dirtier or more wretched place he had never seen. The street was very narrow and muddy, and the air was impregnated with filthy odours. There were a good many small shops; but the only stock in trade appeared to be heaps of children, who, even at that time of night, were crawling in and out at the doors, or screaming from the inside.
The setting for the novel is Victorian England, but Dickens subscribes to the idea, popular at the time, that England can be divided into two halves: the city and the country. The country is preferable by far to the city, which is crowded, dirty, and dangerous. When Oliver first reaches the city in Chapter 8, led by the Artful Dodger, it seems unlikely that his fortune could take a turn for the better in his new environment:
Unlock with LitCharts A+A dirtier or more wretched place he had never seen. The street was very narrow and muddy, and the air was impregnated with filthy odours. There were a good many small shops; but the only stock in trade appeared to be heaps of children, who, even at that time of night, were crawling in and out at the doors, or screaming from the inside.
The setting for the novel is Victorian England, but Dickens subscribes to the idea, popular at the time, that England can be divided into two halves: the city and the country. The country is preferable by far to the city, which is crowded, dirty, and dangerous. When Oliver first reaches the city in Chapter 8, led by the Artful Dodger, it seems unlikely that his fortune could take a turn for the better in his new environment:
Unlock with LitCharts A+A dirtier or more wretched place he had never seen. The street was very narrow and muddy, and the air was impregnated with filthy odours. There were a good many small shops; but the only stock in trade appeared to be heaps of children, who, even at that time of night, were crawling in and out at the doors, or screaming from the inside.