Victorian Context
The story reflects the hard conditions in the early 19th century and the main characteristics of the early Victorian period such as the Industrial Revolution, urban growth, social classes, poverty, child labor and the workhouse system.
Born in a poor town in England, Oliver became an orphan when his mother died shortly after his birth. Since then, he had worked long hours with other orphans in a workhouse for very little food. After that, he worked for an undertaker and finally, tired of being mistreated, he decided to run away to London where he met a group of pickpockets.
Making a comparison between the city that Oliver chose and the countryside from which he had run away: the countryside was quieter, cleaner, and safer than the city. The city was more overcrowded and dangerous than the countryside. This was because of the Industrial Revolution and urbanization.